"The Peloton" Sculpture to be Dedicated to the Tarrant Regional Water District and Unveiled to the Public on August 16
August 14,2014
FORT WORTH, TX--On Saturday August 16 at 10 a.m. Mayor Betsy Price, Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) Board President Victor Henderson and artist Jim Beckman will unveil and dedicate a sculpture entitled The Peloton on the Trinity Trails just south of the river near the Clear Fork Main Street Bridge.
The Peloton, by Jim Beckman, Fort Worth artist and cyclist, is a 30-foot long stainless steel sculpture made of ovals representing a line of racing bicycles. The sculpture will be set on a black concrete foundation.
Beckman will donate the sculpture to TRWD in recognition of their support and contribution to Fort Worth’s wonderful trail system. Board President Victor Henderson will be on hand to accept the donation. “We are thrilled Jim has chosen to recognize TRWD’s contributions to the Trinity Trail System through this beautiful sculpture,” said Henderson. “Providing the public with top-notch recreational facilities along the river continues to be one of the district’s priorities. It is truly an honor to be recognized for our efforts. ”
Beckman was inspired to create The Peloton by Fort Worth’s bicycle-riding Mayor Betsy Price. Mayor Price has been a cyclist and advocate for many years and as a result of her efforts, the city has become more bike friendly.
Beckman, a Yale Engineer, has been producing outside the box art for 15 years, including large steel sculptures, glass covered female shaped lamps and glass chip portraits. His sculpture, an oversized Spam Can in the style of Andy Warhol, placed out of 5,000 entries in a juried contest and was exhibited in the Museum of Fine Art in Santa Fe in 2003. He has also won first prizes at glass shows for his portraits in glass.
About The Peloton: Creating ovals out of stainless steel takes an artist’s touch. This required an important contribution from local artist Tom Diel who spent hours perfecting a technique to roll stainless steel pipe in oval shapes. Diel is an accomplished artist who designs and fabricates unique furniture which have been prize-winning entries every year at Fort Worth's Main Street Arts Festival; including "Best of Show" in 2013. In addition, Steve Bales, a well know cyclist, machined the three special rollers for Diel’s pipe rolling machine. Millet Engineering Group donated structural engineering.
The unveiling and dedication will be free and the public is invited to attend the ceremony. Parking is available for those who do not utilize the trails to attend the event. Public parking can be found along Clearfork Main Street, West of the river, and walk east below the bridge. (map attached)
The event will:
· Unveil the sculpture The Peloton by artist Jim Beckman.
· Dedication of the sculpture to TRWD for providing a fantastic trail system
· Remarks from Mayor Betsy Price and TRWD Board President Victor Henderson