Visitors to Arlington's Entertainment District have even more public art to enjoy with the addition of three new sculptures in Richard Greene Linear Park.
Nine sculptures total are now on display along Johnson Creek between AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Park in Arlington, with plans to add another one in the coming months, said Gary Packan, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director.
The goal is to draw more visitors to Arlington's parks and get people outside and active. Eventually, the City plans to have dozens of sculptures on display along the trails that stretch from the Arlington Convention Center near Interstate 30 down south to Meadowbrook Park on Abram Street.
"There's a lot of interest in getting Arlington more involved in arts and culture. This is one way to do that," Packan said. "It's also an opportunity for people to come explore our trails and see something different."
Arlington's Entertainment District, home of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and Six Flags Over Texas, draws millions of visitors each year. Many of the brightly colored or tall sculptures are visible from Randol Mill Road and the stadium parking lots, even for those who are not walking along the quiet trail.
Arc7, a contemporary sculpture created by Arlington artist Scott Shubin, is one of the taller additions to Richard Greene Linear Park. The 14-foot chrome powder-coated steel sculpture features a configuration of seven straight and arched tubes.
The chrome-colored sculpture is meant to reflect the metallic look of AT&T Stadium and the arched tubes play on the movements you would find in sports, Shubin said.
"There is the arc of the football. In baseball, there is the curveball. I thought I would incorporate those elements in the sculpture," Shubin said.
Click here to watch a video of Shubin describing the inspiration behind "Arc7."
Shubin said he's grateful for the opportunity to have his work prominently featured where it can be enjoyed by so many.
"This is my community. It's good to see Arlington embracing public art. They are doing it on a big scale," Shubin said.
Artist Janna Tidwell incorporated a more human element - fingerprints - into her 8-foot tall, white rose sculpture titled "Leave Your Mark." Fingerprints are cut out of the centers of the 1,200-pound steel sculpture's flower petals.
"The sculpture trail along this area is supposed to be a tribute to what the citizens of Arlington have done through their voting power and their volunteering and their support of the City to create this great space and make Arlington a great place," said Holland, who is from Lovington, New Mexico. "[The fingerprints are] symbolic of the mark people have left in Arlington and the legacy they have left behind."
Click here to watch a video of Tidwell describing the inspiration behind "Leave Your Mark."
A large hole in the center of the flower frames either the AT&T Stadium or Globe Life Park in Arlington, depending on which side the viewer is standing on.
"Art is very important in the public realm. It should be out like this where people can experience on a daily basis," Holland said.
A bright yellow star-shaped art piece covered with detailed bees may catch the eye of nature lovers. The fiberglass star, titled Bee Active, is the work of Arlington artist Amy Stephens and is part of the Arlington Museum of Art's Star of Texas art exhibit.
Artists decorated 20 stars, which will be displayed around the City, to depict the American Dream in Arlington. Stephens said she chose bees to remind people to reconnect with nature.
"When I think of Arlington, I think of the parks and I think of going out and being active and doing something," Stephens said.
Click here to watch a video of Stephens describing the inspiration behind "Bee Active."
Stephens, who spent about 180 hours painting the piece, said she has loved bees since childhood.
"Bees make the world go round. I've always love them. I caught them as a child and let them go. Now I'm back to painting them because they are intricate and beautiful," Stephens said. "It's easy to be afraid of something with a stinger and to think they are bad but they are so good for the world. We can't live without them. We can't live without nature. We forget about it when you live in a big city."
Stephens is buzzing with excitement over Bee Active's inclusion in the Entertainment District Sculpture Trail.
"I get a piece of public art. That is like a childhood dream come true in my hometown," Stephens said.
Another sculpture, titled Unity Arch, will be added to the trail later this summer, Packan said.
The sculpture trail is underwritten by a grant by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation.
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