Dreaming Seasons in Downtown Houston

This summer, Houston becomes the stage for a powerful new cultural experience as Weci | Koninut opens to the public at Avenida Houston starting June 26.

Fusing Indigenous tradition with cutting-edge interactive technology, this free outdoor installation by First Nations artists Julie-Christina Picher and Dave Jenniss transforms the lively urban plaza into a dreamlike landscape inspired by the ancestral memory and natural rhythms of the Atikamekw people.

Visitors are invited to explore the work at their own pace, moving through six illuminated dreamcatchers—each representing a season from the Atikamekw’s unique six-part calendar: Sikon (pre-spring), Miroskamin (spring), Nipin (summer), Takwakin (fall), Pitcipipon (pre-winter), and Pipon (winter).

As people approach each dreamcatcher, motion sensors trigger original music, Indigenous symbols, and natural soundscapes, enveloping participants in a multisensory atmosphere that evokes the forest and ancestral lands.

The installation is the result of a cross-cultural collaboration between Quebec-based creative studios Creos and Init, and Houston First Corporation, the organization behind many of the city’s premier arts and cultural venues. The partnership highlights the global resonance of Indigenous stories and their power to connect people across backgrounds.

“Bringing Weci | Koninut to Houston underscores our commitment to positioning the city as a global hub for culture and innovation,” says Michael Heckman, president and CEO of Houston First Corporation. “This installation immerses our community in the richness of Native traditions while showing how art can bridge cultures.”

The title Weci | Koninut roughly translates from Atikamekw to “come and dream,” and that open invitation lies at the heart of the experience.

“This immersive work is a blend of visual art, original sound, and spatial design—a universe that draws visitors in,” says Virginie Simon, production director at Init. “It’s a celebration of Indigenous identity, storytelling, and shared memory.”

More than a visually striking experience, Weci | Koninut carries a deeper message about cultural survival and environmental awareness. It encourages visitors to reflect on their relationship with the world and how those connections are shaped by tradition, history, and community.

For the artists and their collaborators, the project goes beyond art; it’s a reclaiming of space, voice, and visibility in public life.

“Presenting Weci | Koninut internationally is a point of pride for Creos,” says Alexandre Lemieux, co-founder and director of business development at Creos. “This work reflects our dedication to creating meaningful public art that encourages contemplation, dialogue, and intercultural understanding.”

On view in Houston through September 1, Weci | Koninut will then travel to Quebec for a Canadian tour. But for now, Houston audiences will be the first to experience this fusion of ancestral knowledge and modern creativity—brought to life under the open sky.