A dynamic, fiery creator with a sharp-left activist streak, the former Houston ISD school board member carved out a unique place in the city’s civic culture, a Depression-era native who never strayed from her roots. Rather, Barnstone, who died Monday at the age of 94, demanded a joyous celebration of her life, a fitting tribute to a woman who channeled boundless creative energy into her signature sculpting designs and human rights advocacy.īarnstone’s family and friends will gather this week to fulfill her request, honoring the legacy of a Houstonian whose eclectic metal artwork resides in homes, parks and public spaces across the city. In her will, renowned Houston artist and civic champion Gertrude Barnstone put a directive in all capital letters, to be executed upon her death: “I INSIST ON A PARTY IN MY HOUSE WITH FOOD AND DRINK.”īarnstone wanted nothing to do with a solemn funeral or memorial service. Betty Tichich, HC staff / Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less Barnstone, a renowned Houston artist and champion of civil rights causes who died Monday at the age of 94, frequently incorporated cats into her work. In this 1989 file photo, Gertrude Barnstone leans against a fanciful metal table titled "Cat on a Ladder," one of her works in the Art Furniture 89 exhibit. Blair Pittman, HC staff / Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 8 of8 Barnstone, a renowned Houston artist and champion of civil rights causes who died Monday at the age of 94, worked for a plastics manufacturer in the years before her metalwork became a common presence in the city’s homes and public spaces. In this undated file photo, Gertrude Barnstone demonstrates her plastic sculpture depicting meteorological activity within an electrical storm at the University of St. Jim Coker / Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 7 of8 Barnstone, a renowned Houston artist and champion of civil rights causes who died Monday at the age of 94, served on the HISD board for about five years. In this undated file photo, Gertrude Barnstone addresses citizens protesting actions by the Houston ISD school board. MIKE ROBINSON, HC staff / Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 6 of8 Barnstone, a renowned Houston artist and champion of civil rights causes, died Monday at the age of 94. In this 1978 file photo, Gertrude Barnstone works on welding a metal sculpture. Kim Christensen, Freelance / For the Chronicle Show More Show Less 5 of8 Poses in her little welding shop in her garage to work on her pieces. Gertrude Barnstone, 82, is a sculptor who specializes in steel and glass. Kim Christensen, Freelance / For the Chronicle Show More Show Less 4 of8 In this 2007 file photo, Gertrude Barnstone puts together one of her lighting pieces at her home. Darrell Davidson, HC staff / Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 3 of8 Barnstone served as an HISD trustees for about five years, one of two liberal voices on the board that championed integration amid strong conservative resistance. In this 1965 photo, Gertrude Barnstone attends a Houston ISD school board meeting. In this 1991 file photo, Gertrude Barnstone works on a metal sculpture.