Collection of 26 pieces is one of the largest concentrations of public art in Fort Worth
FORT WORTH, Texas (July 11, 2017) – Selfies and shares abound with the latest wave of public art at WestBend, Trademark Property Co.’s University District mixed-use development. Twelve new works splashed across the property expand its already impressive public art program, bringing added color, character and a unique spirit to the property.
The new works showcase a variety of style and medium by both local and national artists, including 10 murals by Dallas-based artist Kyle Steed, a site-specific “LOVE” sculpture by San Francisco artist Laura Kimpton, and a mural by local artist Lauren Childs. These join prior works by local artist Devon Nowlin and a rotating photography exhibit from the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.
“When it comes to retail places today, it’s all about creating experiences. Carefully curated public art activates a space and makes it unique, all while contributing to the vibe of the neighborhood and the city,” said Terry Montesi, CEO, Trademark Property Co. “Most importantly, art is to be enjoyed. We invite our guests to interact with the works and share them with one another, and make them a part of their life. We want WestBend to be an extension of the world-class Fort Worth Arts District.”
New art at WestBend includes:
· Kyle Steed: Dallas-based artist Kyle Steed makes his Fort Worth debut with 10 WestBend murals that include quotes and references to famous Texans. There are a total of nine murals in the parking garage, consisting of five elevator vestibule works; three small works in stairwells, including a Willie Nelson quote, and Happy Trails mural on the exit wall; as well as a Patsy Cline quote near Drybar.
· Laura Kimpton: Kimpton’s steel “LOVE” sculpture is celebratory and optimistic in spirit, sending a positive message to WestBend visitors. Located in the green space near Woodhouse Day Spa, the sculpture includes hundreds of programmable LED lights that change color at night. The piece is a part of Kimpton’s Monumental World Series that began at the 2009 Burning Man Festival and has since had permanent installations at the Apple store in San Francisco’s Union Square and Santa Rosa, Calif.; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; and additional appearances at dozens of art and music festivals across the globe.
· Lauren Childs: Childs’ first mural, “The Little Things,” depicts succulents with vibrant color and texture, bordering on sculptural, and is located between Woodhouse Day Spa and CorePower Yoga. An advocate for local art, Childs co-founded Fort Works Art, which began as an event-based pop-up organization and has now opened its first permanent gallery space in the Cultural District in Fort Worth.
In addition to these new works, WestBend also recently unveiled the second iteration in its Amon Carter Museum of American Art series. Thanks to a partnership with the Amon Carter, WestBend is home to a rotating selection of nine, 4-by-6-foot reproductions from the museum’s renowned photography collection, presented on backlit film and displayed in lightboxes. Each iteration of the series is curated by the Amon Carter and is on display at WestBend for six-month intervals. The second iteration launched this month and will be on display through the end of the year.
Other public art at WestBend includes five photographic murals by Fort Worth artist and TCU graduate, Devon Nowlin. The murals, which face the Trinity River and Trinity River Trails and Tom Thumb, capture the shopping and dining experience, health and fitness, and the natural surroundings of WestBend.
To celebrate its public art program, WestBend will host a #WestBendLove Snap & Seek on Thursday, July 20 at 7 p.m. with artists Lauren Childs, Devon Nowlin and an Instagram takeover by Kyle Steed. The event kicks off on Level 6, the top floor of the free parking garage located behind Tyler’s, and the first 50 guests to check in will receive a free swag bag illustrated by Steed. #WestBendLove will feature a polaroid scavenger hunt, frozen treats, drinks from HG Sply Co., surprises, and the opportunity to meet the artists in attendances. To RSVP, click here.
WestBend’s public art is one aspect of a property redevelopment focused on evolving the University retail district by delivering a walkable critical mass of retail and restaurants, urban-style pedestrian experiences, and Trinity River/Trinity Trails connectivity. In addition to public art, the redevelopment includes newretail, trailside restaurants, office space, and property amenities. Bartaco and Warby Parker recently announced they will open new locations at the property.
The redevelopment will continue with phase II, which will include a property expansion onto the adjacent 3.5-acre tract immediately south of WestBend. Conceptual planning is underway to develop additional mixed-use space featuring added ground floor retail, a boutique hotel, and multi-family units.
At full build-out, WestBend will include 670,000 square feet of walkable urban retail, restaurant, office, multi-family, and hospitality space.
About WestBend
Developed by Trademark Property Co., WestBend is a 278,000-square-foot mixed-use development located on the Trinity River in Fort Worth’s University District. WestBend recently completed phase I of a major redevelopment adding new retail, restaurants, office space, property amenities and a public art program. Tenants include CorePower Yoga, Dear Hannah, Drybar, East Hampton Sandwich Co., HG Sply Co., Pax & Parker, Silver Fox, Tom Thumb,Tyler’s, Woodhouse Day Spa, Zoë’s Kitchen and the River Plaza office tenants. For more information, visit westbendfw.comor follow WestBend on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Trademark Property Co.
Trademark Property Co. is an operator, investor and developer of award-winning, mixed-use town centers, specialty, community, power centers and enclosed regional malls. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017, the Fort Worth, Texas-based Trademark has invested in, or developed more than 11.8 million square feet of retail and mixed-use assets worth more than $2.5 billion. Trademark’s experienced team of 120 employees is responsible for approximately 6.8 million square feet of retail and mixed-use projects currently in operation or development/redevelopment, including: Alliance Town Center (Fort Worth, Texas), Burr Ridge Village Center (Chicago, Ill.), Glades Plaza (Boca Raton, Fla.), Hillside Village (Cedar Hill, Texas), La Palmera (Corpus Christi, Texas), Market Street Flowood (Flowood, Miss.), Market Street – The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas), First Street Napa (Napa, Calif.), Perkins Rowe (Baton Rouge, La.), Rice Village (Houston, Texas), Saddle Creek (Germantown, Tenn.), The Shops at La Palmera (Corpus Christi, Texas), Victory Park (Dallas, Texas), Watters Creek (Allen, Texas), Waterside (Fort Worth, Texas), and WestBend (Fort Worth, Texas). For more information, visit www.trademarkproperty.com or interact on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Webmaster’s note: see also the article by Lance Murray on July 13 on Dallas Innovates:
