TTU System Invests Nearly $2 Million in Public Art

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE:  Feb. 18, 2013
CONTACT:  Jaryn Jones, jaryn.jones@ttu.edu
806-742-0057

TTU System Invests Nearly $2 Million in Public Art

Texas Tech University System officials announced today (Feb. 18) an investment of nearly $2 million in its Public Art Program.  The program has plans to install 10 original artwork projects in 2013.

The TTU System’s Public Art Program was initiated by the Board of Regents in 1998 as an investment in the campus environments at each of its institutions. Through the program, public artworks are funded using one percent of the estimated total cost of each new major capital project. Since then, 83 items created by some of today’s leading artists have been added to the TTU System’s campuses.

“As we continue to accommodate our institutions’ recent growth, it is important that we complement each new construction project with original public artworks,” said Michael Molina, vice chancellor for Facilities Planning and Construction. “This year marks the biggest year in our program’s history, and we are thrilled to work with such talented artists to enhance our beautiful and thriving campuses.”

Several of this year’s projects will accompany construction funded through donor support during the TTU System’s $1 billion campaign, Vision and Tradition: The Campaign for Texas Tech.

This year’s first addition to the system-wide art collection is located at the newly updated Rip Griffin Park baseball facility. Fourteen banners depicting iconic moments in Red Raider baseball history are being installed along the concourse under the stadium. The graphics were designed by Old Hat Creative of Norman, Oklahoma, and Lubbock machinist Mazen Batrice created custom rolling mechanisms that will help protect and display the banners.

“The rolling banners are the perfect addition to the game day atmosphere at Rip Griffin Park and will provide an exciting welcome to those attending the game,” said Erin Vaden, public art manager for Facilities Planning and Construction. “We are proud that this art will add to the already impressive multi-million dollar renovation to the baseball facilities.”

The planned artwork additions in 2013 total $1.9 million and will be installed at Angelo State University and Texas Tech campuses. As each project is unveiled, more details will be provided.

“This year’s projects will increase the total value of the public art collection from $5.3 million to $7.2 million,” Molina said. “With such exciting progress occurring throughout our campuses, we could see even more projects completed in 2013 than anticipated.”

Upcoming projects include public artwork installations at the following locations:

•    Center for Human Performance, Angelo State University
o    Artist: Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia, from Makati City, Philippines; working title: “Kinesis”
•    Porter Henderson Library, Angelo State University
o    Artist: Julie Richey, from Irving
•    Rawls College of Business Administration, Texas Tech University
o    Artist: BC Sculpture (Joe Barrington of Throckmorton and Tara Conley of Houston)
•    College of Business Administration Renovation, Texas Tech University
o    Artist: David B. Hickman of Dallas; working title: “The Messengers”
•    J.T. and Margaret Talkington Hall, Texas Tech University
o    Artist: Michael Stutz of Fallbrook, Calif.; working title: “Four Faces”
•    Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research, Texas Tech University
o    Artist: Corinne Ulmann of Brooklyn, N.Y.
•    Jones AT&T Stadium North End Zone Colonnade Stone, Texas Tech University
•    Bledsoe Hall Improvement, Texas Tech University
o    Artist: Robert Tully of Louisville, Colo.; working title: “Biomimetic Benches”
•    Plaza Verde, Angelo State University
o    Artist: Roger White Stoller of Portola Valley, Calif.; working title: “Solar Helix”

About the Texas Tech University System
The Texas Tech University System is one of the top public university systems in the state of Texas, consisting of three component institutions and operating at 12 academic sites and centers.  Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the TTU System has an annual operating budget of $1.4 billion and approximately 18,000 employees focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach.

In 2012, total research expenditures approached $200 million and total enrollment exceeded 43,800 students for the first time in the TTU System’s history. Whether it’s contributing billions of dollars annually in economic impact or being the only system in Texas to house an academic institution, law school, and medical school at the same location, the TTU System continues to prove that anything is possible.

CONTACT: Robert Giovannetti, associate vice chancellor, Office of Communications & Marketing, Texas Tech University System, (806) 742-0057, robert.giovannetti@ttu.edu