Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an amendment to the contract with artist Reginald C. Adams/Reginald C. Adams LLC for artwork for the Longhorn Dam Multimodal Improvements Art in Public Places Project in an amount not to exceed $190,000, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $380,000. Funding: $190,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Transportation and Public Works.
De
Lead Department
Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $190,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Transportation and Public Works.
Prior Council Action:
July 20, 2023 - City council approved a contract for artwork for the Longhorn Dam Wishbone AIPP Project.
For More Information:
Angela Means, Director, Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, 512-974-1624; Morgan Messick, Assistant Director, Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, 512-974-7873.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
January 13, 2025 - Art in Public Places (AIPP) Panel unanimously approved the final design on the motion of Monica Maldonado; J Muszac seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
January 27, 2025 - Arts Commission approved the final design for Longhorn Dam Bridge Art in Public Places Project - Reginald Adams. Approved on consent on Commissioner Gray’s motion, Commissioner Garza’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Keys and Medicharla absent.
Additional Backup Information:
Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment’s AIPP and Austin Transportation and Public Works sought to commission a professional visual artist to design, fabricate and install artwork for the Longhorn Dam Wishbone Bridge Art in Public Places Project. The initial budget for this artwork was $190,000 all-inclusive of artist time, design, insurance, and all fabrication and installation related costs.
The goal of the project is to commission a Texas-based artist and/or artist team to design artwork to be located in the new tunnel near the Longhorn Dam under Pleasant Valley Road in collaboration with City staff and community stakeholders. The artwork should reflect the natural elements of the environment and history of the surrounding community. The artist will collaborate with community stakeholders, the project team, and City staff to design and create artwork that adds value to the site.
At the request of Austin Capital Delivery Services and Austin Transportation and Public Works, the project scope has been increased to cover additional surface area of the tunnel and meet an expedited completion deadline of December 31, 2025.
Artist Selection:
On June 7, 2022, a Request for Qualifications was published via Publicartist.org and closed on August 18, 2022.
On October 27, 2022, the selection panel met via Zoom to discuss the 31 eligible applications submitted via Publicartist.org. The Jury nominated 4 applicants for interviews: Reginald Adams, Candy Kuo, Dixie Friend Gay, and Suzy Gonzalez.
On November 15, 2022, the selection panel met via Zoom to interview the finalists. Dixie Friend Gay was recommended as the selected artist and Reginald Adams was selected as the alternate, with one vote for Susy Gonzalez as the artist and Dixie Friend Gay as the alternate.
Selection Jury comments:
“Reginald demonstrated an amazing technical and compositional skill level that is a good fit for this project. His community engagement experience is very much appreciated.”
“Reginald is very talented and has very strong engagement with the community as shown in his previous projects. He would be a strong fit for this project as well.”
About the Artist:
Reginald C. Adams LLC is a public art and design firm based in Houston, Texas that is known for creating award-winning murals, sculptures, and art installations in historic and underserved communities across the United States. The firm's unique approach involves engaging the public in the design, creation, and celebration of their work.
Reginald C. Adams is a true visionary in the world of public art and community development. He's a master at creating public art projects that not only beautify neighborhoods, but also bring people together and give them a sense of pride in their community.
For the past 30 years, Reginald has been dedicated to designing, coordinating, and producing public art projects in Houston and beyond. He's worked with over 50,000 youth volunteers, hundreds of artists, and thousands of community stakeholders to create pieces that truly reflect the culture, heritage, history, and social context of the communities they serve.
But Reginald's impact goes far beyond just creating beautiful art. He's also a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum (ALF) Class 24 and Community Development Class 1, an alumnus of Leadership Houston, Graduate of the Center for Houston's Future 2013, and Past-President of the Rotary Club of Houston Skyline. He's been recognized for his work by the Mayor of Houston, who proclaimed September 4, 2014, as Reginald Charles Adams Day.
Reginald has also been honored by the Houston Press with their annual Mastermind Award and by the Houston Business Journal as one of Houston's top 40 Under 40 business executives. But for Reginald, it's not about the accolades. It's about the impact he's making on the lives of the people in his community.
In his personal life, Reginald is an avid runner, enjoys salsa dancing, photography, traveling, and spending quality time with his family. But his true passion is using art to bring people together and make the world a more beautiful place.