If you missed out on the Beer Can Opener last Friday (because you were embroiled in the LRPC - any other excuse will not be accepted, unless accompanied by a note from your Dr.), you have a second chance to attend a special event. Join Mayor Bill White as he honors and officially opens the Beer Can House to the public, along with the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. This Thursday, March 6th at 10 a.m. brings the official ceremony to open the Beer Can House to the public for the first time. Previously, we could only drive by and peep at this legendary home. After all, who can resist sneaking a peek at a home that has been adorned with over 50,000 beer cans, along with marbles, tiles, concrete, pull tabs and bottle tops. Now, there's no more sneaking around, you can drop by any Saturday or Sunday, beginning March 8th, from noon until 5 p.m. and have an up close "look-see". Or, you can make a special appointment, either way, there will be guides on hand to answer your questions and even give you a tour. If you're nice, you may even get a cold beer, after all, this house is an homage to all beers, particularly those that were "on special" between 1968 and 1988, when upholsterer, artist and beer lover, John Milkovisch passed away.

First pouring concrete adorned with marbles, tiles and metal decorations so that mowing became obsolete, Milkovisch slowly recyled his beer cans, tabs and bottle caps into exterior decoration, curtains, fences, sculptures, wind chimes and even a mail box. This legendary home is now being cared for permanently by the Orange Show for Visionary Art. The full restoration was made possible by major grants from the Houston Endowment, Brown Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and the Cullen Foundation. SpawMaxwell lead the charge, as Contractor on the project, also donating time and money to the completion, along with many local volunteers and businesses. In fact, Houstonist made an appeal for helpers during the project (okay, the free beer sucked us in, we admit it!).

"They say every man should leave something to be remembered by. At least I accomplished that goal." - John Milkovisch. Read more about the Beer Can House HERE.

The Beer Can House
222 Malone St. (between Venice and Lacy)
Photo courtesy of Flickr user JaseMan