Fort Worth Art Commission green-lights two public art final designs

The Fort Worth Art Commission unanimously approved two final designs for new public art installations at their September meeting. 

Artist Demarcus McGaughey, with In House Media Group, presented his final design for the Fire Station #26 installation in District 6, and artist Trevor O’Tool presented his plans for Gateway Park over a Teams video conference Sept. 21.

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For Fire Station #26, McGaughey described a wall installation featuring an aluminum panel with a large white grid of neighborhood icons and firefighter symbols designed to glow at night. Three metal firefighter figures will stand in the foreground, and he plans to hide a single belt buckle in the grid, an Easter-egg nod to the tradition of freshman firefighters receiving a belt buckle after their first year of service. 

“I wanted people to know that Fire Station #26 is like the beacon of the neighborhood,” he said. “That’s security. That’s protection. Like, (they) know that (they) can go there.” 

McGaughey said he will host three public events where residents can participate in color-by-number activities that will be incorporated into the background grid. 

During public comments, a firefighter from the core team said he appreciated the changes made after their last meeting and was excited about the details specific to their fire station. A District 6 council representative expressed excitement for the project and anticipation for the community to see it completed. Art commissioner Denise Turner was unable to attend, but she sent a letter of support that was read aloud. 

Commissioners briefly discussed ensuring that none of the grid icons represent actual businesses to avoid appearing to endorse specific companies. They agreed to review the list of squares and approved the project contingent on verifying the community artwork and the copyright for the Molly longhorn logo. 

Artist Trevor O’Tool shared his final plans for an 11-foot-tall metal armadillo balanced on a giant seesaw for installation at Gateway Park in District 11. The sculpture will weigh more than 2,000 pounds and went through several smaller prototypes to refine the physics of the piece. O’Tool said engineering played a huge role in making sure the structure could support both the armadillo and any visitors who may sit in the included saddle. 

O’Tool said he addressed structural weaknesses and achieved the balance needed for the giant armadillo by placing it on the end of a long, flat seesaw plank.

“This is exactly what we were all hoping for,” said Natalie Lopez, a District 11 community member. “It’s whimsical, yet it brings the state of Texas into the park. … It’s just amazing. I think you hit the nail on the head.”

Commissioners expressed enthusiasm for the design and unanimously voted to approve the final design. 

Public art program manager Anne Allen, asked the commission to endorse the Public Art Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Work Plan, which includes 39 new and ongoing projects as well as several special initiatives. After no public comment and no discussion, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the recommended 2027 annual work plan. 

Collection and project manager Adam Neese reported no new damages and said upcoming repairs included mosaic repairs to several public art installations, including “35 City Blocks,” the artwork located in front of and running through Ella Mae Shamblee Library where the commission meets. 

Fort Worth Art Commission

Documenter: Wendy Moore

Date: Sept. 21, 2026

Learn more about the meeting by clicking here. For the agenda, click here.  

Wendy L. Moore is a member of the Fort Worth Report Documenters crew. If you believe anything in this account is inaccurate, please email us at [email protected] with “Correction Request” in the subject line.