Addison, the Public Art Capital of Texas

The Town of Addison is not only the home to over 200 restaurants, 22 hotels and nearly 17,000 residents, it is home to an abundance of  public art. You can't visit Addison without noticing the public art peppered throughout the community and much of the credit for this incredible collection goes to the Addison Arbor Foundation (AAF). The group’s mission is to impact the community with trees, landscapes and art. Their efforts have definitely enhanced our community. 

Addison really made a splash in the public art arena in 2000 with the unveiling of a sculpture that has become a civic symbol: the Blueprints at Addison Circle. This iconic, four-story tall, sharpie blue metal sculpture was created by artists Michael Van Valkenberg and Mel Chin and, at 140 feet wide, literally cantilevers over a traffic circle. Designed to represent unfurling blueprints, the artists incorporated actual blueprints from many of the Town’s buildings and parks from the sun dial at Celestial to the original plat of Addison, to the spa at Addison Athletic Club. The piece represents the Town of Addison in every aspect. Blueprints at Addison Circle is by far the most photographed sculpture in Town. 

AAF is the nonprofit organization that has been responsible for acquiring 22 public art sculptures, with more on the way!  The art collection includes restored works such as Light and Energy, Loop the Loop and Folded Square Alphabet Letter D as well as commissioned works from artists such as Nic Noblique, Jim Eppler, Eliseo, David B. Hickman and Eric McGehearty. Below are some of our favorites:  

Lost in Wisconsin: Created by Nic Noblique in 2016, this piece is located at the corner of Proton and Beltway Drive near the Addison Athletic Club. Texas is now the artist’s home, but he is originally from Wisconsin.  He was literally lost in Wisconsin when he designed the sculpture. Take a short walk and get lost in its abstractness and shape!

Light and Energy: The three-piece, multicolor sculpture has an exciting story behind it. Originally, these art pieces were installed in an office complex in Addison. Later, the sculpture was taken down and the Town of Addison stored it for many years. Finally, the Town partnered with AAF to restore the sculpture back to its original colors and condition. Today, it is at the North East Corner of Marsh Lane and Beltway Drive. 

Aikido: A bronze, steel and glass kinetic sculpture created by artist David B. Hickman. Today it is located at Addison Airport's Galaxy FBO across from Addison Circle Park. Previously this work of art was located in a courtyard in the Addison Circle District. AAF purchased and restored it in 2018. The sculpture now blows freely in the wind as Hickman envisioned it.

Meditation: This piece of art is the newest sculpture addition to Addison. Loveland, Colorado artist Joshua Tobey created the five-foot tall meditative bear who is sitting in a lotus position.  Mediation can be found in front of the pavilion, just west of Blueprints at Addison Circle and will be inspirational to the participants at the outdoor yoga classes. 

The Three Tenors: This sculpture represents three howling coyotes, aptly named Placido, Jose and Luciano. Joshua Tobey, the artist behind Meditation also crafted The Three Tenors. The three-foot tall piece of art is located in Beckert Park near Addison Circle. 

The two newest additions, Meditation and the Three Tenors, have already become popular photo spots!

But, of course, Addison has so much more public art to appreciate. You can find more information at Parks | Addison, Texas or you can hear directly from the artists themselves by downloading the Otocast app in either the Apple App Store or Google Play store. Create your own art walk and make the world your art museum.