ART IN PROGRESS | Creating Works that Resonate

In response to the Project Core Team's interest in artwork that acts as a landmark, artist Anitra Blayton design acts as a symbol of harmony and positivity. Inspired by the wetland and patterns of organisms in the environment, including footprints of visitors which become one with the ecosystem, Blayton proposes a larger-than-life hummingbird appearing to drink water. The mirrored stainless steel faceted bird will have a series of five wings on each side detailed with laser cut shoe treads submitted by community members that together mimic the wings' rotation. Including the blue conical water shape, the sculpture will stand 24' tall and just over 24' at its widest point.

Ciardiello and Randall's goal is to create engaging and beautiful pieces of sculptural artwork to captivate the interest of area residents. The team's Preliminary Design combines three important natural elements of the area suggested by residents: native flora, dramatic skies, and remarkable storms. Utilizing the median light poles, the sculptures are designed to be viewed from all angles, existing in a playful space between abstraction and representation. The design addresses 16-24 poles along Chapel Creek Boulevard from White Settlement Road to Old Weatherford Road.

Echoes honors Ciquio Vasquez, and reflects community values, culture, and history. Two sculptural mosaic mural walls and connecting mosaic floor insets take elements from the Mexican Serape blanket and African Kente cloth to weave together the respective Latino and African American populations who reside nearby.

Eastchase Island is an extraordinary place set within the ordinary urban environment. It is a place of refuge for the passing motorist. A mental vacation from the everyday grind and a creative escape for the tired imagination. This magical place will become known as one of Fort Worth's most unique traffic intersections. It will serve as a suburban monument to the natural world and provide a sense of identity for the Eastchase area. Overall, the story of Eastchase Island is a fable about coexistence. The way we live our lives in a delicate dance with nature. How, as humans, we are shaped by the same natural forces, and instincts, that perpetuate and define all living things.

Jeremy Biggers' mural intertwines threads of history, community, and hope, celebrating the area's remarkable stories while inspiring future generations to continue that legacy. At the heart of this design are two young girls, embodying endless possibilities for the future while reflecting a deep connection to history and tradition - a gesture of care, love, and neighborly compassion. Incorporating local trailblazer Eugene McCray, alongside Dr. Opal Lee- the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," and Dunbar High School's legendary Coach Robert Hughes, the design honors those who shaped the area's legacy. A nod to the past is seen in the number 6 as well as the historic streetcar stop.

As part of the 2022 Bond Program, the City of Fort Worth is currently designing an extension of Everman Parkway in south Fort Worth. A new section of road will be built from Rosedale Spring Lane to Cameron Hill Point. The new stretch of road will include a large 4-lane bridge structure and a pedestrian-protected walkway over the UP railroad as well a roundabout at the intersection of Hemphill Street. This corridor was identified in the Fort Worth Public Art Plan for the 2022 Bond Program as an impactful location for public art which would engage residents as well as its many visitors.

For the Far Northwest Library, Susan Narduli has designed a two-part interactive frieze that provides a multi-faceted exploration. While the formal inspiration is rooted in the architectural design of the building, the conceptual inspiration responds directly to the surrounding neighborhoods. In this newly developed area of Fort Worth, the artwork will serve a crucial role in establishing a sense of place that reflects the current identity of the region and can evolve alongside the community over time.

Artist Sarah Ayala's Preliminary Design includes create a free-standing artwork facing the intersection of Lovell Avenue and Horne Street. She conceptualizes the artwork as representing the contemporary life of three communities: Como and Ridglea and their distinct histories, cultures and values, and the community of fire fighters at Fire Station #16. The design includes an abstracted panther, fabricated as a low-polygon form and poised atop a dodecahedron, a twelve-sided polyhedron, which will include cut-out phrases collected from the community. Lit from within, light will shine through these openings to broadcast the phrases outward.

The Fire Station #26 Public Art Project Core Team goals include a focus on beautifying the station with a simple but effective design. Given the area’s traditional style, they also suggested the artwork be approachable and engaging to families. The project is associated with the 2018 Bond Program.

A new public art project associated with the 2022 Bond Program.

The Fire Station #43 Public Art Project will include wall-mounted aluminum bas relief artwork that tells the story of Walsh Ranch and highlights the firefighters as a part of this tight-knit community. This project is part of the 2014 Bond Program.

Gateway Park was identified in the Fort Worth Public Art Plan for the 2018 Bond Program as an impactful location for public art. The public art funding for the park is associated with Streams and Valleys Circle Drive, a park road that serves as the east gateway into the park, winding into the park and encircling a densely wooded area that is home to part of the popular disc golf course. The Core Team has expressed interest in a large, highly visible artwork that would appeal to the entire city and be an additional draw to Gateway Park. Considered Fort Worth's "Central Park," some commented the artwork might be designed to invite engagement by all Fort Worth citizens.

A new public art project associated with improvements at the Handley-Meadowbrook Community Center as part of the 2014 Bond Program.

A new public art project associated with 2014 Bond improvements at Heritage Park.

Darryl Ratcliff's preliminary design is conceptualized as a monumental gateway that riffs on the idea of movement and portals. Beyond physical movement, the design alludes to movement as it relates to community organizing, time over generations, and artistically, social practice and conceptual art. The theme of movement is also a nod to the changing of neighborhood demographics and socioeconomic status. Next, the sculpture serves as a portal, becoming a gateway, marker, wayfinding addition to the neighborhood as well as metaphysically viewing the piece as a passage that connects two different locations, dimensions, or times, allowing for instant travel between them.

Lyrical Strands celebrates Fort Worth's Rosedale neighborhood as an epicenter of rich African American cultural history and community by creating a sense of place and dramatic arrival. Inspired by the Southside's architecture, once flourishing music scene, and the embrace of Adinkra cultural symbols, these elements come together to give a unique narrative identity to the Rosedale area.

Artist Clifton Crofford's Final Design for West Magnolia Avenue includes three sculptures composed of bronze and glass: an acorn, a pinecone, and a magnolia seed pod. The imagery of seeds symbolizes the potential of the community and its residents to work together for future generations. Possible sites for the sculptures include the intersections of S. Henderson Street, 5th Avenue, and/or Lake Street along the pedestrian-friendly Magnolia Avenue corridor, located in the Near Southside district.

Curated by Iris Bechtol, this sculptural installation titled One Way highlights the cyclical nature of the roundabout, of annual seasons, and of a daily commute. Bajuyo's 24 colorful metal doilies incorporates the words and arrows of the "ONE WAY" signs directing traffic around the roundabout. These doilies are inspired by vortexes, star-wheel rake tractors, hay bales, and dandelions that have gone to seed. Lifted into the air at varying heights from two directions, this sequence of doilies creates an infinity sign. When driving around the roundabout from either east or west, the doilies vanish and become lines and rows like rows of crops in a field, then brings drivers back to the next infinity sign.

Curated by Iris Bechtol, A Very Long Now by Alicia Eggert encourages both living in the present and thinking in longer terms. Totaling 60 NOWs, the work alludes to small increments of time counted by clocks, the number of seconds in a minute and the number of minutes in an hour. Each NOW, like a brief moment in time, is so thin that it is almost non-existent when viewed from the side. Yet they all work together to create an upward-spiraling form that is greater than the sum of its parts. That form is both linear and cyclical in nature, just like the different ways we perceive and experience time.

Scuri's conceptual design includes a series of translucent fins stretching across the railings of two bridges along Meacham Boulevard at the intersections of Polaris Drive and Painted Horse Drive, creating a sequenced gesture that guide motorists. The colorful design includes 137 fins, which utilizes 7 rich hues inspired by the Texas skies at dawn and dusk that graduate and color blend. Speed, direction, motion, and time of day will all change the expression of the art, allowing each pass to be a new experience.

The North Beach and I-820 public art design responds to the Project Core Team's interest in a gateway artwork that is bold and sparks intrigue. Merge Conceptual Design's series of bright colored "wind wheels" connect to the identity of the area and greater Fort Worth. With a total of 58 wheels made with bicycle components, the artwork will respond to the environmental elements of the site: wind passing through the underpass will push the wheels to spin at various speeds; and, light will illuminate the wheels' reflective surface, allowing tonal color shifts throughout the day.

Funds to construct the North Service, Drop-off, and Animal Care and Control Centers were included in the 2014 and 2018 Bond Programs. The public art funds for these facilities were combined to create a larger installation at the North Animal Control Center Campus where Julie Richey recently completed a series of mosaic sculptures. Since some funds remain, Richey will develop an artwork to serve as a way-finding element, helping citizens find the location and understand the purpose of the campus.

Open Plains, a new public artwork designed by Matthew Mazzotta, seeks to bring the outdoors in by transposing a natural scene within the community center lobby. Creating a focal point for the new building, a large grassy berm creates unique seating while a small group of sculptural birds glide gently overhead in a circle, moving their wings as they float in the airspace. The playful artwork is intended to give the viewer the experience of connecting with the open landscape that surrounds the community center, which is nestled within Northwest Community Park.

The Northwest Patrol Division Preliminary Design seamlessly blends the past and present, honoring the area's roots while embracing the city's ongoing growth, diversity, and community development. As a welcoming symbol for the public, the sculpture represents the Division's commitment to building strong relationships within the community. It is intended to serve as a statement of connection and unity, emphasizing the importance of trust and mutual respect between the Police Department and the citizens they serve. The design's symbolism provides clarity and recognition, tying the abstract concepts of the piece into something familiar and meaningful.

The Oak Grove Park Project Core Team describes their community as a small, close-knit area with a "front porch culture." They agreed the public artwork for this new park should be diverse, family-centric, and eye-catching. Situated near a school, the Team suggested the artwork introduce the area youth to new concepts, invite questions, and inspire them to "dream big." This new public art project is funded through the 2022 Bond Program.

Paddock Park sits at the top of the bluff with a commanding view of the Trinity River and the historic Tarrant County Courthouse. Acquired in 1917 as part of landscape architect George Kessler's plan, the park is one-third owned by Tarrant County, and two-thirds owned by the City of Fort Worth. To ensure integration of public art into the fabric of park improvements, artist team Legge Lewis Legge (LLL) was selected to create a Heritage Park Public Art Master Plan through a process facilitated by FWPA staff that involved MIG, DFWI, and City representatives. As stated in the plan, Paddock Park's prominent location make it an ideal location for a permanent, "iconic" public art project sculpture addressing Native American heritage.

Artist Donna Dobberfuhl looked to Rosedale Street for the theme she has woven into enhancements along East Rosedale Street as part of the City's Polytechnic Heights Urban Village. Her large rose designs are carved directly into the brick that forms three kiosks spaced at intervals along East Rosedale Street across from the Texas Wesleyan University campus. Smaller groupings of roses in light colored cast stone adorn the low seating along East Rosedale Street directly in front of the university. A series of six metal plaques are currently in development, which will feature historic photographs from the community and will be installed onto the open sides of the three kiosks.

As part of the 2022 Bond Program the City of Fort Worth is making improvements to Ray White Road, a major north south arterial in north Fort Worth in Council District 4. These improvements include widening a section of the roadway between Kroger Drive on the south and Big Bear Creek on the north, (south of Golden Triangle Boulevard), expanding from two to four lanes divided by a median. The existing roundabout lend themselves to a free standing artwork or series of artworks that would be primarily experienced by vehicular traffic.

This project honors this heritage with a grand-scaled artwork visible throughout the park and to passers-by. The artwork acknowledges the trees by making an abstract representation of their root systems, buried within the soil, visible to park visitors. Depicted on the surface of the path that traverses the park, the artwork is a kind of imaginary x-ray through the ground, showing the intricate pattern of roots beneath it. The artists' aim is to call upon the cultural and natural histories of the Trinity River site, however, the artwork will also delight the eye with color and patterns that can be appreciated by all people regardless of their historical knowledge.

Local artist / landscape architect team Etty Horowitz and Kevin Sloan have revised their original design for the I-30 site to fit the new State Highway 121 site. Included are brick pavers, to be donated by Acme Brick, as a visual reference to the "Old Road to the West"; abundantly planted native Texas wildflowers and grasses, and large-scale Corten steel letters that spell out "Fort Worth". The new site on westbound State Highway 121 in the north right-of-way median (west of Maxine Street and east of Beach Street) offers dramatic views of the downtown Fort Worth skyline and is located just inside the Fort Worth City Limits as drivers approach downtown from the northeast and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Bill Fitzgibbons' conceptual proposal focuses on create an inviting and placemaking light sculpture that celebrates Fort Worth as well as the community in which it finds itself. The gateway artwork is expected to have ten to twelve unique light programs throughout the year.

Huckaby's artwork for the traffic triangle at Ramey and Stalcup in Council District 5 will reflect the history of Stop Six. The artwork entitled "The Last Train" is designed to look like a train stop. Transforming the green space into a gathering place, it will feature a reproduction of a vintage Interurban train car, painted a shimmering golden color, resting on a track on a paved plaza. Abstracted portraits of members of the community will be painted onto the side of the train. During the evening, the car will be illuminated from within with a warm glow. The artist intends the train car symbolize a type of spiritual chariot that has come to take earthly citizens to a heavenly place.

Jill Bedgood's prairie-themed mile markers designed for Summer Creek Drive will complement the artist's public artwork at nearby Chisholm Trail Park, Art + Knowledge, which honors the ancestry of the land and celebrates natural prairie ecosystems: geology, hydrology, and flora and fauna. Using some of the highly detailed, full-color original drawings created by the artist for Chisholm Trail Park, each of the thirteen (13) mile markers will highlight one natural element from the surrounding environment. Placed in the grass along the sidewalk every quarter (0.25) mile, the markers will serve as a visual reference to pedestrians along the approximately 3-mile journey along Summer Creek Drive from McPherson Boulevard to Altamesa Boulevard.

In response to the Core Team's interest in artwork to reflect the importance of creative play, education, and community building, artist Blessing Hancock proposes a figure-eight-like sculpture with curvilinear details that come together. The painted metal surface of the artwork will display colorful patterns that convey the action and movement of the recreational activities surrounding the piece. Bands with language collected from the community will be included with themes revolving around the past, present and future dreams of visitors to the park.

The City of Fort Worth is currently having significant community conversations regarding racial equity in our city. In response to a citizen's concerns regarding the depiction of African-Americans in the 1936 mural on the facade of the Will Rogers Memorial Center Auditorium (section depicted above), a series of interpretive plaques have been designed to provide insight on the addition of thoughtful, on-site interpretative information for viewers.