Fulshear Arts Alliance founder urges placemaking to protect town identity

Evangeline Kerbo, an art teacher at Morgan Elementary, introduced the Fulshear Arts Alliance (FAA) to the EDC on March 9 and urged the board to consider intentional public art as a tool to preserve the city’s identity amid rapid growth.

“Growth is inevitable, but character is intentional,” Kerbo told the board as she outlined FAA’s plans to relaunch as a nonprofit, form a governing board, and pursue grants and sponsorships to finance site‑specific public art. She cited the alliance’s painted utility box program as an example of a low‑cost project that has already added color and local character.

Kerbo described a community‑funded model for commissioned sculptures—she suggested an alligator motif as a potential signature public art project—and said artists would be commissioned and, ideally, local businesses would sponsor or purchase the sculptures. She emphasized that FAA is not asking for city funding that night but wants to begin a dialogue and share materials; Kerbo provided a contact and said she would share handouts and maintains a Facebook page called Fulshear Arts Alliance.

Multiple board members offered praise and said the board’s economic development and place‑making goals align with FAA’s aims; one member noted existing discussions about a mural and asked staff to make Kerbo’s handout available in the meeting packet and online. Staff encouraged Kerbo to share materials by email and on the FAA Facebook page.

What happens next: staff and board members said they will continue the conversation and consider whether future partnerships or sponsorships could support FAA projects. Kerbo said the alliance is pursuing nonprofit formation and grant opportunities.