Amarillo parks to display unique public art throughout city
In a cooperative effort with the city of Amarillo Beautification and Public Arts Advisory Board, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has announced an art initiative to showcase local artists and their works at city parks around Amarillo.
The board has set funding for seven parks throughout Amarillo to display local artists' work on art pads with bolted circular concrete foundations, which can hold a wide variety of artworks in high-visibility areas of these parks. Thompson Park, Sam Houston Park, Rick Klein Park, Memorial Park, John Stiff Park, El Alamo Park, and Bones Hooks Park are the facilities that have been set up with the foundations for these projects.
Strategically placing the art pads in high visibility areas of the parks, PARD states that this will allow for walking or vehicular traffic to enjoy the public art displays. This project aligns with the core principles of the Parks Master Plan and will increase visibility and beautify local parks without a hefty capital investment.
“It is really a best-of-both-worlds project,” said PARD Director Michael Kashuba. “Displaying art from local artists enhances the visual appeal of our city parks and provides exposure and an outlet for artists to showcase their talents to the entire community.”
Currently, PARD has a local artist working on two pieces of art that will be featured with this program.
Kashuba spoke about the focus for these art pieces as community showcases and the flexibility of displaying these pieces in rotation at the various parks.
“What we envision is an opportunity for local artists to feature their work,” Kashuba said. “The great thing about this concept is the ability to show these artworks at various facilities at different times, so that each piece could get exposure to different communities. The flexibility of changing out the art pieces at each park is the real beauty of this program. Art can be displayed one place and then be available at another.”
Envisioning working with local schools and colleges to showcase works, Kashuba sees this as a golden opportunity for students to get exposure to the public. He spoke about using this in cooperation with Amarillo ISD, Amarillo College and West Texas A&M as a platform for their art.
“We want to showcase what is possible through art," Kashuba added. "Art has the ability to surprise people. We want to draw attention to art and artists in the area. Amarillo has a vibrant culture that continually expands with events such as the Hoodoo Mural Festival.”
All art pads are already in place with a two-foot pattern to display works; the parks department is just waiting on the finished projects to begin showing the works. Upkeep of the art will be a partnership with the department and the local artists.
“We want artists to re-partner with us; we want them to look at opportunities to display their works," Kashuba said. “We really want this program to be able to grow and show off the uniqueness of our local art."
Artists wanting more information on this project should email PARD at info@amarilloparks.org
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo parks to display unique public art
