After countless hours of work, it was onward and upward for artist Julia Ousley’s latest labor of love, which crews installed near AT&T Stadium. And it just so happens to be called “Onward and Upward”.
“It’s called Onward and Upward because of the way we do things in Arlington,” said Ousley. “We’re always wanting to improve.”
That’s just what the city had in mind when it asked her and other local artists to create unique works for a new sculpture trail that goes right through the heart of Arlington’s Entertainment District.
Arlington Parks and Rec and its partners in the Entertainment District felt that more could be done with the green space between AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Park.
“It’s a great place with a lot of tourism opportunities,” said Gary Packan, Assistant Director of Arlington Parks and Rec. “So by putting sculptures here, we give people an opportunity to explore other parts of the city.”
That group has been working on this project since Arlington hosted the Super Bowl in 2011, carefully selecting the artists and artwork and figuring out where it should be displayed. Now, the first pieces are being installed in the Richard Greene Linear Park.
“It’s exciting as an artist,” said Art Fairchild, another artist whose work will be displayed. “There’s a lot of art appreciators out there that will enjoy it, too.”
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Ousley hopes it will help give the city a more unique identity.
“It’s a great idea,” said Ousley. “A lot of cities are beginning to recognize the value of having public art. And I’m glad to see that Arlington has hopped on board.”
Each of the sculptures will be loaned to the city for three years. They’ll then be rotated out and replaced with new art to keep things fresh.
In addition to the sculpture trail, 12-foot-tall letters that spell “Dream” will soon be installed in downtown Arlington.
The Arlington Museum of Art and the city are also working on a public art project where large stars painted by local artists will be displayed.
