STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Quality of Life
AGENDA DATE: February 12, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 3
DEPARTMENT: Office of Arts and Culture
EXECUTIVE: Joey Zapata
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SUBJECT
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Authorize a contract with Jennifer Monet Cowley for the fabrication and installation of a site-specific, free-standing, outdoor sculpture to celebrate the life and art of Dallas artist Arthello Beck, Jr., at Twin Falls Park located at 6300 South Polk Street - Not to exceed $81,000.00 - Financing: Park and Recreation Fund (2006 General Obligation Bond Fund)
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BACKGROUND
As established in Chapter 2, Article X, of Dallas City Code, the City of Dallas Public Art Program puts works of art by visual artists in public places using a percentage of funds from capital improvement projects. Under this program, a public art project was initiated to pay tribute to the life and art of Dallas artist Arthello Beck, Jr., at Twin Falls Park.
Artist Jennifer Monet Cowley and her team were recommended for the Arthello Beck, Jr., public art project by a selection panel composed of artists, community members, and a representative from the Park and Recreation Department.
Arthello Beck, Jr., was born in Dallas on July 17, 1941. He was the first African-American to own and operate an art gallery in Dallas. Mr. Beck believed his art was a means of communication, a vital therapeutic form of expression for the young and old. His paintings reflected positive images of African-American people and culture, including everyday scenes of congregations at river baptisms, ladies at beauty shops, children learning, sports scenes and dads reading to their babies. The selected location at Twin Falls Park is in City Council District 3, since this neighborhood park was close to Arthello Beck, Jr.’s residence and would be of significance to the community.
Artist Background
Jennifer Monet Cowley has been a visual artist and curator since 1994. She curated #ustoo: Phenomenal Women, an exhibition featuring local emerging female African-American artists using their artistic voices and media of their choice to express the sisterhood, the validation, the equality, the empowerment, the strength, the love, the genius, the sheer power of African-American women.
Project Description
The project is comprised of the image of two African-American boys seated on top of a limestone box (see Attachment A). The figures are inspired by a painting by Arthello Beck, Jr., and will be painted/enameled on both the front and back of an aluminum cutout with a sealant and anti-graffiti coating. There will be additional limestone benches in front of the two figures to create a gathering place in the park on the side facing West Red Bird Lane. The figures will be highly visible from the street and are easily accessible from the sidewalk on the street and in the park.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Begin final design and fabrication of artwork February 2020
Complete installation of artwork September 2020
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On December 17, 2016, the Park and Recreation Board approved the location for the project at Twin Falls Park.
On March 7, 2017, the Public Art Committee (PAC) recommended the initiation of the project.
On March 16, 2017, the Cultural Affairs Commission (ACAC) recommended the initiation of the project.
On May 7, 2019, the PAC recommended a revised scope of work.
On May 16, 2019, the ACAC recommended the revised scope of work and a short-list call for artists.
On January 7, 2020, the PAC recommended an artist team led by Jennifer Monet Cowley for the commission of the public art project.
On January 16, 2020, the ACAC approved the PAC recommendation.
On January 21, 2020, the Quality of Life, Arts & Culture Committee supported the PAC recommendation.
FISCAL INFORMATION
The fabrication and installation of this public art project is funded by Park and Recreation Fund (2006 General Obligation Bond Fund). All maintenance for public art is currently funded by the General Fund.
|
Fund |
FY 2020 |
FY 2021 |
Future Years |
|
Park and Recreation Fund (2006 General Obligation Bond Fund) |
$81,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
OWNER
Jennifer Monet Cowley, Artist
MAP
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