Help Make Boerne Their Home

I know you probably wonder what this title is all about; and what does it have to do with this month’s lifeskill, Recreation/Entertainment. Well, let me explain. I am on the board of the Hill Country Council for the Arts (HCCArts). About a year ago we took on the responsibility to bring awesome public art to the Boerne gateways and cityscape throughout our community. Since then we have written the Boerne Public Art Master Plan, received an official city resolution of support, and have established a public art committee to oversee the selection process on their behalf. HCCArts’ public art committee currently has several public artworks being considered for the city of Boerne. As you can imagine, it’s been quite a ride for the past couple years and still happening!

For all those who love art and public art in particular...If you have recently visited Boerne and the Texas Hill County, you also may have noticed two very large bronze Longhorns near the Main Plaza since August 2010. These renown Robert Summers Longhorns were generously loaned to us by the Texas Trees Foundation of Dallas, to help us bring awareness and excitement about the public art master plan; and the cultural and economic benefits of having monumental artworks for residents and visitors to enjoy. These larger-than-life artworks have graced our Main Plaza where hundreds, possibly thousands, of residents and visitors to Boerne have enjoyed viewing them.

While caring for the installation and landscaping, and HCCArts sponsoring a variety of public art events and programs, I witnessed hundreds of families who live here and are visiting Boerne for a fun weekend of recreation take pictures of their kids alongside these Longhorns. Many have told me they think having public art like this is absolutely wonderful. There was one gentleman who asked me how they came to Boerne. He and his wife have been considering moving to Boerne and said that seeing public art like this made their decision that day to move to our community very soon. Every comment I heard have been a great encouragement to us with all the efforts HCCArts, the city, Boerne Chamber of Commerce, and many volunteers have put into this project over the past year.

These Longhorns on loan will shortly be leaving us to go back in storage in Wyoming. In gratitude to the Texas Trees Foundation, city of Boerne, and other strategic partners, these Longhorns have significantly awakened keen interest and awareness of the cultural value and economic impact of public art in our community. According to Jeff Haberstroh, Boerne City Councilman, “We have seen throughout the longhorn’s stay with us just how public art benefits our community. Public art . . .

• Identifies a community and offers a sense of place for residents and visitors.
• Beautifies, transforms city landscape and enhances quality of life.
• Personifies the unique character of our community.
• Creates dialogue and a better understanding of the importance of art.
• Supports creative ideas and helps shape the identity of the City of Boerne and residents.
• Is freely available for viewing and appreciation.
• Reflects our Texas history.
• Invests in expanding the quality of life through public/private partnerships.”

So, before October ends and the Longhorns hit the trail, be sure to view them and say your goodbyes. And if you are excited as we are about having them make Boerne their home, you have a last chance right now to donate to the Boerne Public Art Fund at www.HCCArts.org payment center. You may wonder about their cost to purchase these renown bronzes—$150,000. Although it’s always great to receive the big bucks, having just 1500 people donate $100 each will easily cover the cost to keep them right in Boerne. But time has almost run out. Whether these Longhorns stay or go at the end of the next couple weeks, all donated public art funds received will be exclusively used to support bringing monumental artworks to Boerne.

And don’t forget…If you have taken pictures of the Longhorns with your friends and family, click our Facebook page link on our website and post your pictures to celebrate the memories with all of us. I also encourage you to join the HCCArts (www.HCCArts.org) and subscribe to keep up-to-date on what’s happening in the arts in the Texas Hill Country.

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“Public space, public art, and pedestrian scaled gateway markers should be incorporated into neighborhood designs.” City of Boerne Master Plan Update, September 2006

Civic Campus Recommendation: “Install innovative public art that interprets history and local environment/nature.” Rudat Report to City of Boerne, 2008

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