Public Art
Fort Worth gets a double dose of public art at trendy new developments
Two new developments in Fort Worth are getting a healthy dose of public art, one of them starring Austin artist Bob "Daddy-O" Wade. The public art programs will be implemented at Waterside and WestBend, two projects from developer Trademark Property Co. CEO Terry Montesi says that it's part of the company's vision to add soul and character to each property they develop.
Waterside
Trademark commissioned Wade to lead the public art program at Waterside, under construction at Bryant Irvin Road and Arborlawn Drive. The art program will be a combination of sculpture and murals, on a site that was previously the Lockheed Martin Recreation Association.
Wade will repurpose amusement rides and play equipment located on the original site into public art. He'll also give new life to vintage black and white photographs that tell the history of the property over the past 75 years by hand-tinting the images and transforming them into on-site murals. The art will be installed in spring/summer 2016.
Waterside is a mega-complex with residential units, hotels, office buildings, retail, and restaurants. Tenants already signed on include Whole Foods Market, REI, Taco Diner, Zoes Kitchen, Blaze Pizza, Sleep Train, Massage Heights, Envy Nails, and Amazing Lash Studio.
WestBend
At WestBend, the art will come from two local artists with ties to neighboring Texas Christian University, Devon Nowlin and Cam Schoepp.
Nowlin, a Fort Worth native, created five photographic murals that were installed in early December, and are displayed throughout the property focusing on the areas facing the Trinity River and Trinity River Trails.
Schoepp, an associate professor of art at TCU, will install a 10-foot sculpture in spring 2016 incorporating a water feature into the green space near the valet area.
Located in the University District, WestBend is undergoing a major redevelopment that will be complete in spring 2016. Current tenants include the Fresh Market, Zoes Kitchen, East Hampton Sandwich Co., and Silver Fox. Newly added tenants include HG Sply Co., CorePower Yoga, and Drybar, all first-timers in the Fort Worth market.
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