Rotary Club of Arlington, Celebrating Centennial of Service, Dedicates New Public Art in Downtown
Photo caption: "Boundless," by sculpture artist Jen Lewin. Photo courtesy Jen Lewin Studio.
The Rotary Club of Arlington commemorated its centennial by donating “Boundless,” a new interactive public art piece in Downtown Arlington for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.
The Rotary Club held a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the sculpture June 10 at the future site of Rotary Dream Park. The sculpture celebrates the Rotary Club of Arlington’s 100 years of dedication, vision, and involvement with the community, including its pivotal role in the creation and evolution of the parks system in Arlington.
Dr. Victoria Farrar-Myers, the Rotary Club of Arlington’s president, said Boundless captures this year’s Rotary International theme of “Imagine.” While the vertical element of the sculpture represents an homage to the iconic Rotary emblem, the sculpture itself was created to inspire Arlington residents and visitors to imagine the boundless possibilities available in The American Dream City. The large, leaning gear-shaped sculpture features infinity mirrors on both sides that light up in hundreds of colors as visitors interact with it.
“Imagination is boundless, and this interactive sculpture invites you to use your imagination. It’s an amazing kaleidoscope of color and I think it will bring joy to people of any age,” Dr. Farrar-Myers said. “I would love to see our Rotarians and residents alike come out and celebrate the dedication of this beautiful public art piece, which will help serve as a gateway to welcome people to Downtown Arlington. ‘Boundless’ is our gift to the City, but more importantly it’s a symbol of the Rotary Club of Arlington’s commitment to serve and inspire others for generations to come.”
Rotary Dream Park is designed to create a new public gathering space Downtown and to connect new developments along Front and Division streets to the vibrant Downtown core south of the railroad tracks. Upon completion of the park in fall 2024, the site will also become home to the DREAM sculpture that is currently on display near Levitt Pavilion Arlington. The Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (DAMC) is donating the DREAM sculpture to the City to be included in the new park.
“Public art installations, like Boundless, enrich our lives. They provide a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life and invite us to pause and reflect and engage with our surroundings,” City Council District 5 Representative Rebecca Boxall said during the ceremony.
The future Rotary Dream Park is located at Center and Front streets north of the Union Pacific train tracks. The City acquired the land for the park thanks to a 1999 agreement with AT&T, formerly Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, who contributed the funds used for the park’s acquisition.
“The dedication of the Rotary sculpture is the next step in realizing the long-term vision of Rotary Dream Park. Many partners have helped us get to this point, from the Rotary Club of Arlington and their generous gift that enabled this unique new piece of art by Jen Lewin, to our partnership with DAMC to relocate the DREAM sculpture next year, to the legacy gift of AT&T providing the funds to make the land acquisition possible,” Parks and Recreation Director James Orloski said. “The end result of everyone’s vision and hard work will be that Downtown will have a new anchor and a community space like no other when Rotary Dream Park is completed next year.”
Photo caption: "Boundless," by sculpture artist Jen Lewin. Photo courtesy Jen Lewin Studio.
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