Public Art

George Tobolowsky: Bending the Rules

George Tobolowsky is an American sculptor from Dallas, Texas. Tobolowsky creates steel and stainless steel sculptures by welding together “found objects,” discarded machine parts, industrial parts and scrap metal. He lets the original shapes of the discarded steel pieces determine the form of each sculpture by balancing its compositions with each “found object” or piece of scrap metal.

Texarkana, TX City Hall

220 Texas Blvd.,

Texarkana, TX 75501

Colors of the Universe

ArtSpark

317 Main Street

Texarkana, TX 75501

Texas A&M University - Texarkana

7101 University Avenue, Texarkana, TX 75503

Outside the Circle

Texas A&M University - Texarkana

7101 University Avenue, Texarkana, TX 75503

Fighting Your Fires

524 West 3rd Street, Texarkana, TX 75501

Staring at the Ocean

Corner of 3rd Street, and Main Street Texarkana, TX 75501

University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana

3501 U of A Way,

Texarkana, AR 71854

The Corporate Ladder

216 Walnut Street, Texarkana, AR 71854

Texarkana College

2500 North Robinson Road

Texarkana, TX 75599

Murals

Texarkana Balloons

Artist - Jes Weiner

224 West 3rd Street,

Texarkana, TX 75501

TXK Mural

Artist - Jes Weiner

West 3rd Street and Main Street, Texarkana, TX 75501

Scott Joplin Mural

Artists - Art Pletcher and C.D. Little

321 W. 3rd Street

Texarkana, TX 75501

‘Art’ Pletcher shared that he was approached by the City of Texarkana to submit a proposal and quote for the fading Scott Joplin Mural. He was encouraged to take liberties with the mural, and he chose to tell the story of Joplin’s life from left to right. After extensive research Art Pletcher was very impressed, even finding that Joplin received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize. The mural was completed with an outdoor latex paint and a UV clear coat to reduce fading, since the mural faces the south. Art also painted the “Stamp Murals” located at Spring Lake Park and various others in town.

Postcard Mural

498 E. Broad Street

Texarkana, AR 71854

This mural was painted in the early 2000's by Georgia Hubnik and additional volunteers. The original idea was to have Trice Elementary Students paint the mural, but due to the insurance policy required to transport the students, they decided to paint sheets of plywood on campus and install them on the wall, giving a 3 dimensional feel to the post cards on the mural.

Paper Moon

Artist - Chelsea Morgan-Bullock

112 E. 5th Street,

Texarkana, AR 71854

Front Street Plaza Mural

218 E. Broad Street,

Texarkana, AR 71854

The Orchid Lady

210 Olive Street

Texarkana, TX 75501

This mural was painted to resemble a vintage Dr. Pepper brick advertisement customized for Texarkana with special design elements that included the Texas and Arkansas crossroads sign, the Twin Cities’ motto ‘Twice as Nice,’ and a portrait of Corrinne Griffith, the silent-era movie star of the 1920s who was born in Texarkana. Anthony Ghio, who was the fifth Mayor, serving three terms on the Texas side. Corrine began acting in 1916 and was nicknamed “The Orchid Lady of the Screen'' during the height of her popularity.

Colors of Life

Artist - Joseph Raymond

112 Pine Street,

Texarkana, AR 71854

Well known local artist, and owner of Joseph Raymond Art Gallery shared “Part of my ‘Fluent Series,’ which is my signature style, Colors of Life was born out of the desire to reflect fresh progress and life that a new year and decade is promising for the heart of our great city! Texarkana is a city with not only a rich history, but also a bright future!”

Indulgent Rain

Artist - Chelsea Morgan Bullock

112 Pine Street

Texarkana, AR 71854

Chelsea exchanged this piece for a wedding and groom's cake for her wedding with the owners of Graham Slam Bakery, after the owners expressed how much they like ‘Close Encounters’ at Kress Gap. Both were shopping around for each other’s talents, and it worked out well for both.

FABK Mural

Artists - Dani Hamblett and Traci Pitman

116 W. Broad Street,

Texarkana, TX 75501

As business partners and owners of For All Brandkind, Dani and Traci wanted to focus on having a fun image that people would like to take photos next to while being bright and fun.

Shine Bright Texarkana

Artist - Jes Weiner

116 W. Broad Street

Texarkana, TX 75501

This includes an illustration of Jes’ friend Kayla King. Jes’ shared that her inspiration was community, shining both individually and together. “When we bring our unique gifts to the forefront, shining individually, the light gets brighter and brighter. What was once many little lights, dispersed, is now a great beacon when gathered together.

Close Encounter

Artist - Chelsea Morgan Bullock

116 W. Broad Street

Texarkana, TX 75501

Chelsea shared that she wanted to create interactive pieces that would drive people to downtown. This piece was created with a spray paint base, and followed up with outdoor grade paint for planets and UFOs.

Work Hard Play Hard

Artists - Natalie Haywood and Anita Peek

116 W. Broad Street,

Texarkana, TX 75501

Natalie said, “ I wanted to add a splash of color to downtown Texarkana,” This is a tribute to her father who often tells his family to Work Hard, Play Hard.

Hidden in Nature

Artists - Carissa Mathias

116 W. Broad Street,

Texarkana, TX 75501

Charissa came up with this idea when thinking of the “hidden jewels” in Texarkana’s Parks. “From the pine tree-lined disc golf course and play areas of Spring Lake Park, to the perfectly-shaded play areas at East Bringle. There are so many hidden jewels in the natural surroundings of this town that inspired me as I was designing the mural.”

Love Thy Neighbor

Artist - Jes Weiner

116 W. Broad Street

Texarkana, TX 75501

“I believe the murals add color, value, and life to a part of town that was loved but tired,” Jess describes.
“I think when people see them, they are reminded that downtown Texarkana is worth investing time, money, resources, effort (and for me personally, a nine-hour road trip). I will never stop coming back to invest in my hometown. It’s worth the risk because the people of Texarkana are worth it.”

Twice as Fly

Artists - Rachel Freeman and Molly Kendrick

116 W. Broad Street,

Texarkana, TX 75501

Rachel and Molly both expressed interest in painting murals with other partners respectively, but both had their partners had to back out. The two came together to develop this mural which was a combination of their ideas. Molly’s plan to paint a butterfly and Rachel’s plan to paint large flowers and greenery, were combined into this piece. While working on the piece the two discussed lost loved ones, which brought new symbolism to the butterfly, as a reminder of those loved ones.

Wall of Heroes

Artist - Darlene Taylor

213 Wood Street

Texarkana, AR 71854

This mural was painted in 2022 by Darlene Taylor. The Mural includes many local people including Fight Fighters/EMT, Healthcare Professionals, educators and Police Officers. This is also a tribute to Aaron Brand who was a beloved journalist for Texarkana Gazette that passed away in October of 2021. Local heroes include:

Aaron Brand
Dr. Ranya Barri – Podiatrist
Les Munn – Police Officer/ Co-Owner of Crossties Event Venue
Kayla Johnson-Bowden – SW AR Taekwondo Student
Taryn Chambers Givan – Local educator and educational consultant
Reese Jones – TAFD Firefighter
Nikki Kitchens Moore –
Jeff Tanner – TAFD Firefighter/ EMT
Kristi Bennett – TAPD Police Chief

Additional Public Art

ArtSpark

317 Main Street,

Texarkana, TX 75501

TXK Letters

Artist - Jerome LeGrand, and C.D. Little

100 N. Stateline Ave., Texarkana, TX 75501