Art the Dalmatian, William Joyce & Brandon Oldenburg, 2014
SERVICES PROVIDED: Design coordination, Materials research, Budget management, Engineering coordination and oversight, Fabricator bid process, Fabrication oversight, Lighting design development, Shipping, Installation services, Scheduling, Project close-out.
Art the Dalmatian is located at the Central ARTSTATION in Shreveport, LA. The sculpture is the brainchild of the Academy Award Winning duo William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg of Moonbot Studios, who presented the design as a “commemorative housewarming” gift to the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. Public Art Services oversaw the design coordination and fabrication of Art the Dalmatian through a generous gift from the national foundation, Educational Foundation of America, who awarded a grant to the Shreveport Regional Arts Council for the design that transformed the Central Fire Station to the Central ARTSTATION. Art the Dalmatian guards the renovated and repurposed fire station from his post on Crockett Street, outside of the Engine Room doors of Central ARTSTATION. Art the Dalmatian stands 19.5’ tall and is designed as a tribute to the Dalmatian that has become iconic to Fire Fighters; With a nod to the performances that will emanate from the Engine Room in the Central ARTSTATION, Art the Dalmatian is solid white fiberglass and is covered in iconic “dots” that each light up when the “dot donor’s” name is selected from a keyboard. Art performs a programmable “light show” each evening. “What a better way to celebrate SRAC’s new beginnings than with our new pal, Art the Dalmatian. By day, you might think that Art is an albino Dalmatian; but, you’ll soon learn that at night he is a brilliantly dotted Dalmatian. Our hope is that everyone will enjoy the fantastic light show before and after events at the new Central ARTSTATION, “said Brandon Oldenburg and William Joyce.
Check out the video embedded below to see Art the Dalmatian in action during the unveiling celebration.
Text and select images courtesy of Shreveport Regional Arts Council. Digital modeling and presentation graphics by Mowry Studio.
