Wylie Public Arts Advisory Board moves to help artist finish walking‑trail sculptures amid cost, deadline concerns

Wylie Public Arts Advisory Board members on July 16 heard progress reports on Phase 2 of the city’s walking‑trail public‑art installations and discussed funding and timeline risks for several sculptures.

Julie Fennell, the city’s parks and recreation staff member who serves as the public‑arts liaison, told the board that artist Yoshi Wright prefers to place his sculptures on sculpted mounds that reference cattle burial mounds found on the site rather than on concrete slabs. "The materials to create a structurally sound mound was far more than what any of us had anticipated," Fennell said, adding that staff are exploring options to reduce costs and that "we do have money available in our public art funds that we could offset some of that cost for him." She said Wright’s contract deadline is the end of July, creating a short timeline for any changes.

Fennell described the artistic intent for the phase: the board focused on the Caddo people who lived on the land before the municipal complex was built and selected works that reference pottery, fire and hunting traditions. "His first is called Sacred Fire... the second is Ancestor's Voice," she said, describing the pieces’ symbolism and placement across the trail.

Fennell also updated the board on two other artists tied to the same phase. She said artist Sonny Behan’s white‑painted bronze deer is in a South African foundry, being crated for shipment by boat; transit and customs will mean an expected arrival window of about six to eight weeks once it ships. "They're creating a custom crate... and then once it’s prepared to ship, then it'll get on a boat and come over to Wylie," she said. Fennell said Sonny will come to Wylie to install the piece once it arrives.

Sculptor Seth’s life‑size bronze of a Native American hunter is complete and awaiting installation; Fennell said Seth (who lives in Texas) has worked with Sonny’s team to align the two pieces and that members should review photos of the bronzing and patina choices. "You'll notice... he did that patina in white, so it kind of connects to the deer," she said.

Board members discussed the practical problem that durable, maintainable mounds cost more than originally budgeted and that the city needs to balance long‑term upkeep against near‑term contract deadlines. Fennell said staff are meeting with the parks and rec assistant director and purchasing manager to determine what assistance the city can offer.

The update also included an explanation for part of Yoshi Wright’s delay: the base of his studio artwork was damaged in a fire last year and required repair before shipment, which pushed the timeline.

The board had no immediate formal action on the projects at the meeting; members indicated support for staff exploring cost‑reduction options and using available public‑art funds to help meet contract deadlines. The board also urged members to review the images and photographs staff circulated of the works as they prepare for installation and coordination.