‘A Change of Direction’ is Newest Public Art Piece at Meadowbrook Park Sculpture Garden
A new bronze sculpture of a young deer at Meadowbrook Park Sculpture Garden represents forging a new path, Arlington artist Darrell Davis said.
The sculpture, titled “A Change in Direction,” is the eighth sculpture added to the City park at 1300 E. Dugan St. thanks to the Arlington Sculpture Garden Foundation.
Davis said he was inspired to create the piece during a trip to Sweetwater Texas. There, he saw a doe and a fawn traveling together that eventually went their separate ways.
“We all reach that point in our lives, where we come to a decision to make a change in some way. To somehow take our own steps away from the past and into a new future,” Davis said in his artist statement. “To the artist, this symbolizes forging a new path. He hopes his art will represent a calmness in the world and serve as a reminder to take a moment to relieve the anxiety of everyday life.”
Davis said became interested in art about 35 years ago while he was a student at Sam Houston High School in Arlington. On a school trip, he got the opportunity to visit Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina, which inspired him to pursue sculpting as a career. Many years later, he received a Gold Medal for Sculpting in the very place that inspired him.
The most valuable advice Davis said he ever received as an artist was “To do what you love and eventually, it will find a home.” He said he is extremely honored to have his sculpture placed in his hometown for everyone to see and hopes it will inspire a new generation of artists.
Val Gibson, the Arlington Sculpture Garden Foundation treasurer, said Meadowbrook Park is a special place in Arlington history, being the first public park. He hopes park visitors enjoy the newest addition, which was paid for by the foundation and not the City.
Visitors to Meadowbrook Park Sculpture Garden, located near Abram Street and Willis Avenue, can also enjoy other public art pieces such as "The Sea" by Otello Guarducci, “Leave Your Mark” by Janna Tidwell, “Blue Sky Dream” by Seth Vandable, “Dragonflies” by David Hickman, “Fern Fronds” by Pascale Pryor, “TexScape” by Rock Romano, and “Brighten My Day” by Eddie and Mary Phillips.
Click here to learn more about Meadowbrook Park and its Sculpture Garden.
Click here to learn more about the Arlington Sculpture Garden Foundation.
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