Cedar Park leaders select artist for Bell Park public art piece

During the May 23 City Council meeting, Cedar Park officials announced Dixie Friend Gay will be the artist behind the public art piece in Cedar Park’s 15-acre Bell Park, which is under construction in the Bell District.

The details

Gay will create a large, stainless steel sculpture with lights, which will be located at Bell Park’s trailhead, Senior Project Manager Caleb Stockton said.

Called "Protective Promise," the sculpture will “serve as a portal to nature's magic, evoking the childlike wonder of discovering natural treasures in our native environment,” Stockton said. He said the sculpture will stand 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide, and consist of five petal-shaped panels protruding from a central post.

Stockton said Gay is a local artist responsible for artwork throughout the Austin area, including "Lake Nessy," a 30-foot-long serpent sculpture located at Mueller Lake Park, and "Ocho," a giant octopus sculpture at Jesse Andrews Park.

The action taken

Council approved a $180,000 agreement with Gay for the services required for the project. Stockton said the scope of the agreement includes:

• Completion of the final design
• Fabrication of the art piece
• Transportation to the site
• Coordination with Bell Park contractors as needed for installation