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Allen dedicates new public sculpture, adds to public art collection
By Andrew Snyder, asnyder@starlocalnews.com
Allen recently unveiled the latest piece in its public art collection.
“A is for Allen” by Gordon Huether is a 12-foot by 16-foot sculpture in the shape of the letter A at the intersection of Exchange Parkway and U.S. Highway 75. It is made of native stone, stainless steel, powder-coated steel and glass.
The project, which included the artist's participation in landscape design, cost $200,000.
“A is for Allen” is the fourth work the city has commissioned, joining “Blackland Prairie Song” by Andrea Myklebust and Stanton Sears; “Oceano” by Roger White Stoller; and “Rail Ladder Fire” by Christopher Fennell.
“Rail Ladder Fire” is a sculpture in the shape of a flame at Fire Station No. 5 constructed from decommissioned ladders and old train rails. “Oceano” is a 6-foot tall bronze sculpture at the Allen Public Library resting on a granite base. “Blackland Prairie Song” is a 24-foot tall statue with multi-colored LED lighting and the image of a bluebonnet flower and cotton plant at Allen City Hall.
The city also includes donated and privately-owned pieces that are publicly viewable in its public art collection, which can be viewed at cityofallen.org along with a map showing each piece's location. The public art map was recently created by the public art committee, the board responsible for the commissioning of public artwork.
The seven-member public art committee was created in 2006, and its members are residents appointed by the Allen City Council. The city's public art program was supplied with approximately $1.2 million in funding for future projects during a 2007 bond election.
Also included in the collection is “Jazz Medley - From Nevelson to Village Logo” by Rich Morgan, a series of relief sculptures lining the median of Stacy Road at U.S. 75.
Lori Smeby, assistant director for the parks and recreation department, said placing artwork in the median of major east-west thoroughfares through the city is becoming a “signature for Allen.”
Among the donated works in the city's public art collection is “Monstrum incarnata” by Chance Dunlap, an abstract iron flower recently dedicated at the Allen Senior Center. The sculpture was donated by Connie Rodenbaugh.
The city is still searching for a home for another donated work: “Chac the Rain God” by Sandy Stein. The sculpture is named after the Mayan god of rain and composed of three limestone blocks.
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