The details
With a peregrine falcon sculpture by Smithville-based artist Russell Strawn Smith at 1311 Chestnut St. and a display of native songbirds by Houston-based artist Amanda Barry Jones at 1408 Chestnut St., there are now six installations throughout Bastrop.
“This is a great idea and project,” Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris told representatives from the Bastrop Cultural Arts Commission during the first ceremony. “As a person who likes a lot of birds, I really appreciate what y’all are doing with this.”
Zooming in
The two sculptures—which are located across the street from one another—took several months to complete, according to city officials.
“I had so much fun deciding which birds to put in this site-specific sculpture with the only requirement being that it had to be attached to a 4-inch-wide railing [of a pedestrian bridge],” Jones said.
Although her initial concept sketch featured larger logs and birds, the sculpture was scaled down so as to not overshadow the pedestrian bridge and the surrounding nature.
“[Now, we] have a more intimately scaled sculpture for people to be able to see up close,” Jones said.
Jeffrey Stayton and Maria Montoya Stayton made a $7,725 donation to the Lost Pines Arts Center that financed the concrete base for the peregrine falcon.
“What a moment,” Maria Montoya Stayton said following the installation. “This incredible bird is the fastest on earth—a true symbol of power, grace and speed.”
Some background
In September, a barred owl, hand-forged with steel by local artist Robin Luck, was unveiled outside of Film Alley at the intersection of Hwy. 95 and Chestnut Street.
“The city of Bastrop, in partnership with the Lost Pines Art Center, continues to expand the Bird Junction Sculpture Program as a way to celebrate public art, honor community heritage and enhance the cultural vibrancy of Downtown Bastrop,” Michaela Joyce, the Main Street manager and Discover Bastrop director, said at the time.
Also of note
The Bird Junction Sculpture Program is financed through hotel occupancy tax funds, citizen donations and grants, as previously reported by Community Impact.
