Fort Worth begins erecting “Avenue of Light” on the south side of downtown

by Laura Seewoester

The installation of Fort Worth's "Avenue of Light" began Tuesday in the southern area of downtown. The installation, commissioned by Fort Worth Public Art, will consist of six stainless steel sculptures designed by artist Cliff Garten on Lancaster Avenue between Main Street and Lamar. The first two pieces were erected Tuesday. Two more will be installed next week and the final two the following week. The whole installation will be completed around mid-March, says Public Art Director Martha Peters. The city is hoping that the installation will help perpetuate growth along Lancaster and the southern area of downtown Fort Worth.

Each sculpture consists of 100 stainless steel plates, each slightly turned from the preceding plate, and welded together. The plates are designed to create a vanished edge depending on which angle the sculptures are viewed from. When viewed straight-on, each sculpture will seem translucent. The sculptures will have lights shooting up the center as well as lights outside of each sculpture to catch the edges of the metal. Garten's inspiration for the design comes from Fort Worth's Texas & Pacific Terminal on Lancaster. The base of each sculpture matches the design inside the building. Each plate also contains cutouts that match the T&P station design, making every plate different.

The city is hoping that the installation will help perpetuate growth and development along Lancaster and the southern area of downtown Fort Worth. The sculptures will remain dark at night until all six are installed.

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