This summer, a wave of color has splashed the Lubbock Cultural District in the form of public art. Visitors making their way east and west on Mac Davis Lane are offered a sampling of artwork by both visiting and local artists.
When entering Mac Davis Lane off of Avenue Q, the “Viva Lubbock” mural graces the east side of Grey Edges Gallery. This cultural work of art catches passer byers a bit off guard with its incredible beauty painted by Lubbock artists Kelly Reyna and Sophia Villalobos. The portrait of Frida Kahlo on a gorgeous cobalt blue background and surrounded by foliage and flowers of the Southwest landscape is a stunner.
Heading east on Mac Davis Lane, the “Music” crosswalk allowing visitors to cross the street from the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center parking lot to The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences by Mery Godigna Collet and Luis Gutierrez (of Austin) is a stunning and fun welcome mat to the Hall. The title of the crosswalk “Music” could not be more appropriate for this strategically placed art on Mac Davis Lane. As visitors marvel at the wonder of this world-class venue, the incredible pick mural by Dallas artist Brad Oldham is a can’t miss. This piece pays tribute to the iconic Buddy Holly and his Fender Stratocaster with lovely picks of varied sizes which make up the show stopping design. Continue east and enter into the area of LHUCA and CASP where there’s more waiting!
On the side of the LHUCA Ice House, a new mural by artists Bayne Gardner and Pete Goldlust of Eugene, Oregon. A bright green background featuring the busy happenings of robots, windmills and space is a fun surprise in the district. Off of 5th Street and Avenue J at the CASP 5 and J Gallery begins a sculpture garden area alive with artistic creations by local artists Chad Plunket and Jonathan Whitfill, as well as murals which have become iconic to Lubbock.
Just a few steps to the east, locally owned Two Docs Brewing Co. has a new mural by one of Lubbock’s favorite artists, Janelle Barrington Spivey. Lubbock visitors will find her work take form as wine labels and as the background of the brewery’s stage, giving it a lively vibe for performers. And be sure to slip around the east side of the brewery and check out the additional mural by Bayne Gardner of Buddy Holly.
Public art has the ability to foster an environment where memories are made with each picture snapped and can unite citizens through establishing a sense of place. It allows art to be seen by anyone at any time. Murals, crosswalks, sculptures and other forms of public artistic expression inspire those who take in the talent and creativity of the artist. Art has long been a central piece of human expression and the artists involved in creating a captivating and vibrant Cultural District in Lubbock are an eclectic mix of amazingly talented people.
The Lubbock Arts Alliance has brought wonderful collections of public art to the city over the years. Watch for their pieces, soon to be Friendly Cowboys, throughout the city. With a supportive city government that values the impact of art, artists’ work comes to life bringing joy to the areas their art graces. There are also public art pieces in Lubbock funded and installed by the City itself including the dancers on the median outside of the Mahon Public Library, the Buddy Holly tribute glasses crosswalk on Crickets Avenue in the Depot District and the 1970 Tornado Memorial Gateway, among many others. To view the public art in Lubbock, the City of Lubbock has an excellent tracking website at https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/pages/public-art to show residents and tourists where to find Lubbock’s diverse and extensive art collection.
The Lubbock Cultural Arts Foundation and Visit Lubbock work together to stay up to date on new works of art being added to the city’s expansive art repertoire. For a first-hand look into new art installations, follow @lubbockculturalarts on social media!
