FORT WORTH PUBLIC ART VISION STATEMENT | Public Art Helps to Define Fort Worth’s Character as a Vibrant and Sustainable 21st Century City by Celebrating its Storied History, Contributing to its Iconic Destinations, Shaping its Distinct Neighborhoods, and Honoring its Close Connection to Nature

Congratulations to Estrus Tucker, recipient of Arts Fort Worth’s Heart of Gold Advocate for the Arts Award on September 20, 2023!  In 2017, City Council appointed Estrus to the Fort Worth Art Commission and he has served as chairman for the past 5 years.  A tirelessly advocate for the Fort Worth Public Art program, he has made himself available for literally dozens of media interviews in support of public art, and has spoken at numerous public art dedications and events.  Estrus has given voice to the inspiring work of local artists, art advocates, and arts organizations, including Arts Fort Worth. Under his leadership the Fort Worth Art Commission launched a new Community Partnership Projects Initiative, held Artist Listening Sessions to hear first-hand artists’ needs and ideas, and led Town Halls to engage our robustly diverse public. Following a citizen’s concern about the racial portrayal on a historic tile mural, Estrus chaired the Will Rogers Memorial Center Advisory Panel that developed interpretive plaques to be installed on the Auditorium and Coliseum plazas.  This effort involved more than two years of research, diverse community focus groups, and consultation with local culture and Texas history experts.  As a local and national leader, facilitator and advocate for civil dialogue, Estrus championed Fort Worth Public Art’s invaluable community engagement processes and worked collaboratively to enhance efforts of inclusion, cultural equity, and diversity of the pool of emerging and established public artists for its pre-qualified lists.  He wholeheartedly believes that public art and public artists matter because, “Art is for everyone.”  We thank Estrus Tucker for his leadership and dedication and look forward to his continued engagement with the Fort Worth Public Art program!

You are invited to the dedication of Fort Worth’s newest public artwork, Listening Trees by Steve Parker, on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 1:00 pm near the Universal Playground at North Park, 9000 N. Beach Street, 76244.  A series of three interactive musical sculptures, the artwork incorporates colorful brass funnels as well as bells and wind chimes painted by community members to create a dynamic sonic environment. This event is part of the North Park YMCA’s Fall Fest, a family-friendly event including activities, games, bounce houses, vendors, and a Farmers Market. 

Fort Worth Public Art, a City of Fort Worth program administered by Arts Fort Worth, invites qualified art conservators to submit letters of interest and proof of qualifications to provide care and maintenance to the Fort Worth Public Art Collection.  DEADLINE 5:00 p.m. CST. October 18, 2023.

Interested applicants will demonstrate interest, knowledge, range, skills, and availability to assist the program in maintaining a growing collection of artworks and architectural enhancements in the collection.

Artist Karla Garcia recently spoke with Glasstire’s Caleb Bell about her studio practice, recent exhibitions, and her first public art project, Seed the Future, coming soon to Trail Drivers Park. Inspired by the dandelion as a migrant flower, the work celebrates the area’s history, symbolizes its present-day community, and plants a seed for the next generation.