the Star of Texas
Three influential entities in Arlington, Texas -- The Arlington Museum of Art, Women Inspiring Philanthropy and the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation -- joined forces IN 2015 to create The Star of Texas art initiative. The goal of the initiative is to install fabricated fiberglass stars throughout the city as temporary, public art installations. The star-shaped sculptures are individual pieces of art celebrating the city’s brand, “Arlington: The American Dream City.”
Texas artists were invited to submit their interpretation of the American Dream in Arlington, and Amy was honored to have two pieces be among the original twenty to bring this project to life. They're entitled constellation and a day in the life.
Although the original installation timeline was for five years, the program was so well-received by the community that nearly all of the Stars of Texas, including Amy’s two pieces, remain in place today.
constellation concept description: What makes Arlington the Star of Texas? Arlington’s star shines brightly because of the vast constellation of people who live, work, visit, learn and play here. Diverse and vibrant, our constellation is made up of leaders, fans, volunteers, neighbors, athletes, entrepreneurs and friends. While everyone within the Arlington constellation is one-of-a-kind, there is one thing we all have in common – Arlington is our American Dream City.
constellation is made up of well over 3,800 faces which Amy drew by hand in a simple cartoon style. The number 3,800 represents one for every 100 people who live in Arlington (according to the 2013 U.S. Census).
Seen from a distance, it’s difficult to distinguish the elements in constellation. Upon closer inspection, faces become defined, and you can see ways the people in constellation are unique. There are architects and construction workers; doctors and scientists; service men and women, police officers and firefighters. An artist paints. An astronaut waves from outer space. A journalist reports the news. There’s a scuba diver, three clowns, two chefs, and a pirate among Arlington’s vast and sometimes quirky constellation.
A choir sings. A band plays. Athletes smile with confidence. Families and friends hug and chat. Couples swoon. Activists encourage others to vote. One group of teens grins widely for a selfie while another proudly dons school colors and mums for Homecoming. Elementary school children pose for a photo with their teacher. Graduates toss their mortar boards in celebration.
Who else do you see? Do you see yourself?
a day in the life concept description: As The American Dream City, big things happen in Arlington. They happen every day. But so do little things. And over time, little things can add up to very big things.
To create a day in the life, Amy spent 24 hours over about a four-week period taking photos all around the city. Some represent locations unique to Arlington: attractions and destinations, city parks, the airport, schools and universities, places of business and iconic structures. Others take a peek inside daily life: a church choir rehearsing, kids in school, high school athletes at a game, families having fun and special events.
Together, they tell the story of the big and little things that make Arlington the American Dream City.
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