As Harris County prepares to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Precinct 4 is joining communities across the region in celebrating the historic occasion through public art.

For nearly a month, Precinct 4’s public art intern, Audrey Lowe, has worked with community members and the Precinct’s graphic designers to decorate a 36-inch painted fiberglass soccer ball. The recently finished piece features everyday moments that define life in Precinct 4, including parks, wildlife, tai chi, fishing, and, of course, soccer.

“I wanted to highlight what’s most important to our community, what brings us together,” Audrey said. “Also, I thought it would be meaningful to include the names of the towns in Precinct 4, which you will see displayed on the signs painted on the ball.”

The soccer ball is part of the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority’s Foundation’s Art of Soccer campaign. The fundraising initiative invites local organizations, businesses, and artists to transform the oversized soccer balls into vibrant works of art to reflect Houston’s unique identity in anticipation of next year’s FIFA World Cup.

The piece was a big step for Audrey. As a senior fine arts student at the University of Houston, she had plenty of experience painting for fun and for classes, but this soccer ball is her first step into creating public art.

“This has been an amazing opportunity to be trusted with such a big project as an intern and has been a big challenge for me because it’s the first time I painted a 3D project,” said Audrey. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show my art to a lot more people.”

It was important for Audrey to not just work with the community but also to incorporate its members into the piece. At first glance, what may look like colorful flowers in the grass are actually the handprints of children participating in Precinct 4’s STEAM summer camp and Soccer for Success’s Fútbol del Barrio program at Freed Community Center.

“We wanted the kids to see themselves in this project,” she said. “It’s about celebrating where we live and the people who make it vibrant.”

The completed soccer ball will be part of the Milkshake & Friends Roadshow Summer Tour, which is visiting each community center this summer. If residents want to see the art piece in person, they can visit the Precinct 4 website to find the closest event.

Precinct 4’s contribution to the Art of Soccer campaign highlights how public art can build pride, connection, and anticipation for one of the most significant sporting events — all while giving residents, young and old, a chance to be part of something global.