HOUSTON’S COLOR FACTORY WILL BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY WITH 9 UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
As much as I have been wandering around the world, Houston always feels like home when I visit. Disclaimer: I grew up around this area, so I might be a little biased. I have been away for 20 years now and every time I get a chance to visit Houston I explore it like its my first time visiting. A lot has changed over the years and Houston has gotten better.
Houston is one of the biggest growing cities in the United States and it is alive with full energy and a richness in diversity. The city’s dynamic mix of imagination, talent and first-class attractions has made it a world-class city. It is home to a vibrant economy, beautiful surroundings and an optimistic population with a spirit of pride, it’s no wonder that Houston has become a popular international destination.
There is a lot of things to see in this city. On my last visit one attraction really stood out and I want to share with you, Color Factory. It will surely brighten your day and its a great place for families too.
ABOUT THE COLOR FACTORY
Launched in 2017 by a team of artists and creatives in San Francisco, Color Factory creates meaningful and immersive color experiences for everyone. The core elements of the Color Factory embrace a child-like imagination while expanding boundaries of perception and understanding.
In August 2018, the Color Factory expanded to New York City location in SoHo’s Hudson Square. In October 2019, another factory was opened in Houston’s Upper Kirby neighborhood. Both locations are over 20,000 square feet and feature unique participatory installations of colors that were collected around the city— hues that invite curiosity, discovery and play. Local artists, creatives, designers and makers have teamed up with to tell their unique color stories and engage all of your senses in unexpected ways.
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
- Tuesday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
- Friday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
- Sunday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Admission
- Ages 2 and under have free admission
- Ages 3 – 12 | $28.00
- General Admission | $35.00
You must reserve your tickets and time slot online. Click here for tickets. Plan to arrive early after purchasing your tickets.
GETTING TO THE COLOR FACTORY
Color Factory’s Houston location is in the Upper Kirby neighborhood. Parking is very limited, therefore it is recommended you take advantage of the paid public parking located directly across on Kirby Dr. at the Kirby Collection building. Just follow all parking garage signage and use the self-park option, which is located on the 2nd floor and above. If you choose not to utilize this option, please read local parking signage closely. Color Factory is not responsible for towed vehicles. Plan to pay around $8 to park.
INSIDE THE COLOR FACTORY’S HOUSTON LOCATION
The concept behind the Color Factory is to deliver an immersive user-experience. Don’t go by yourself to this. You can fun with photography here. You can definitely bring out the creative in you. I was not fully prepared to model, since I was on vacation, but there are photo booths throughout the exhibits to take pictures that are directly sent to the email you provide. There are also snacks from local Houston vendors that are included to make your experience even better.
The Lobby
As you enter have your tickets prepared. You will be greeted with a snack as you wait for your turn to go through the factory. You will then enter the registration room where you are handed a token that you can link it with you email address. This will give you access to all the photo booths available, which is required to send the photos directly to your email.
The Hallway of Bright Ideas
While in the registration room make sure you get your macaroon. You will then go through the door which leads you through a windowed hallway. You will see an art sculptured hangin from the ceiling called “Unwoven Light”.
It is made with chain-link fence along with crystals that change colors according to how the natural light hits it.
Room Thought Bubbles
Talk about a room to stimulate thoughts. This black-and-white striped room is inhabited with some colorful floating balls. These balls tend to magically float up and down due to blasts of air. Under each thought bubble you will find a circle on the floor with quotes from students from the Project Color Corps expressing how colors make them feel.
You Are Magic
This has to be the most popular room. You need two ore more people to activate this room the display in the room. By placing your hands on a sensors the display comes to life with colors and music.
“Artists Alicia Eggert and James Akers believe the power of collaboration can bring more light and color into the world. . . and this room,” according to a description on the wall.
Light Bright, Light Bright
Growing up I had the Lite-Brite toy, which was originally marketed in 1967. It consists of a light box with small colored plastic pegs that fit into a panel and illuminate to create lit images, by either using one of the included templates or creating a free-hand image on a blank sheet of black paper.
In this room, you can relive those childhood memories and be creative. The walls are are the canvas where you can place the pegs to create images.
The Smell of Color
Walking into this room I was first a little confused. At the center, there are these colorful pipes that are configured in a circle resembling a merry-go-round. Each color has a smell to it and it is designed to trigger memories.
Some of the smells are like milk at the bottom of a cereal bowl, brand new boots, or fresh cut grass, which are right on target, but others, did not meat my expectations. This is probably my least favorite room.
The Compliment Room
This is one of those rooms that can make it awkward if you are by yourself. This room is intended to be done with someone. If you are by yourself you can do it with a stranger. You are given color pencils and cards to express how you feel about the person sitting across you.
While sitting across in a booth you will exercise creativity, share a compliment, and build a human connection with color.
The Confetti Room
You ever been to a party or celebration where there is confetti thrown all over the place? Well this room will bring back those celebration memories. It is a room with confetti all over the floor. Go ahead and picks some up and make it rain. Throw it in the air and enjoy the colors slowly making their way back down.
NASA Ball Pit
With the partnership of NASA, this room is filled with over 50,000 anti-bacterial balls that will make you feel like you are floating in space under a starry sky. I can not remember the last time I was in a ball pit, but diving into this sea of plastic balls definitely brought back some childhood memories.
At the end of the room you will head towards an exit and you can get a free gelato and your choice of a free gift.
CONCLUSION
It’s nearly impossible not to feel the joy of color while at the Color Factory. The immersive experience that it offers makes it hard not to be happy. The bright colors and the way you interact with them will elevate your mood. This is the perfect place for a date, family experience, and best of all to take some photos. The Color Factory will guarantee to add some color to your Instagram feed.
What are some pop-up experiences you have gone to? Leave comments and questions below.
