Many of you may remember the origins of the Happy Shapes Art project. Bryan Place Neighborhood Association applied for a public arts grant and won!
The funding was originally from a Streets Bond Program in 2003 and renewed in the Streets Bond Program in 2012. The art was to be lighted geometric shapes that would light the Central Underpass at Ross. In that way the gateway to the Arts District would become safer, walkable and more attractive.
Fast forward to 2016. After repeated contacts with the Office of Cultural Affairs, the City of Dallas, and TXDOT, it was determined that it is too expensive to run electricity under Ross Avenue which is required for the art shapes.
The BPNA Board, Tom Zelinski, Wayne Smith and David Allen have been working with Kay Kallos, the Public Arts Manager, to find an alternate location so that Bryan Place can still enjoy this public art.
On February 12, Bryan Place representatives met with Kay and representatives of the Parks Department, and Parks Maintenance to find the best location in Exall Park for the installation of the Art that would be agreeable to all parties. There are a number of steps before installation occurs, including getting your input. The proposed site will be brought to you at the General Meeting in May. Everyone wants to make sure that the neighborhood still supports this project.
In the meantime, here are the steps in the new process:
- Reconfirm with the city that funding is still available
- Get approval of the Friends of Exall Park
- Get approval from the Park and Recreation Board (probably the June meeting)
- Contact the artists to discuss redesign of the art (proper scale and number of shapes for the new location)
- Community review of re-design for new location (May General Meeting)
- Public Art Committee and Cultural affairs Commission briefing for new design/location
- Artist’s contract for final redesign, fabrication, installation to Park Board and City Council for approval (June/August 2016)
- Fabrication timeline (typically 12 months)
- Installation estimate (Fall 2017/Spring 2018)
Be sure to attend the General Meeting May 19 for more information.