“Boerne has always been a community that values the arts and we are fortunate to have a strong artist community here. Public art contributes to Boerne’s quality of life and sense of place, and Art al Fresco was a great vehicle to expand the City’s collection,” said Paula Horner, president of the Hill Country Council for the Arts, a key supporter of the arts in the Texas Hill Country that includes artists and galleries, performance arts, the Boerne ISD Fine Arts Department and many other programs and partnerships. 

This initial program included a public voting element to see which pieces community members most loved. From this competition, seven new sculptures were acquired and are now on permanent display in the city. These include Traction by Art Fairchild of Dallas, Texas, Comet & Raven: Messenger from Afar by Joe Barrington of Throckmorton, Texas, Dancer 2015 by Jerry Daniel of Sanger, Texas, Tilt by Wesley Stolusky of Kaufman, Texas, Foundation of the Doo Dah by Dewane Hughes of Troup, Texas, Bull by Jeffie Brewer of Nacogdoches, Texas and Solar Wind by Patricia Vader of Martinez, California.

Art al Fresco’s origins are rooted in a long-term, grassroots effort by the Boerne arts community over many years to bring public art to Boerne. In addition to the sculpture competition, the City of Boerne has acquired other public art sculptures by renowned artists through purchase, donation and partnership. Boerne’s most photographed public art is Wild Bill Hickok, a bronze by Eric Christianson, who sculpted Wild Bill at the Texas Treasures Fine Art Gallery in Boerne. Wild Bill is located on Main Street and, depending on the season, you may see him sporting a Santa hat, a Diva Night boa or bunny ears to name a few. Wild Bill was acquired through a funding partnership with the City, Hill Country Council for the Arts and Texas Treasures Fine Art Gallery.

Boerne’s collection includes many generous donations. Majestic Ranch Arts Foundation (MRAF) has donated several bronze sculptures to the City. Two of these are located at the Patrick Heath Public Library and include The Trio by Eric Christianson and Adventure Tales & Fairy Tales by Marianne Caroselli, who also created Lucky Ducks that is located at Main Plaza near the fountain. Other donations include Land of the Cheyenne by wildlife sculptor Jonathan Bronson — this bronze eagle was donated by Brenda Shaddox and is located on the Cibolo Trail. A favorite in River Road Park is Father Gander, a bronze sculptor by Larry Stevens of Stevens Art Foundry. One of Boerne’s most beloved pieces, the Veterans Memorial at Veterans Plaza, was created by local artist Jay Hester.

 Over the years, additional sculptures have dotted Boerne’s Hill Country Mile and trails for limited times, and one temporary sculpture is currently on display. Mary Woods, project manager for Art al Fresco, has enjoyed seeing how the program has been a platform to make art really accessible for the public, especially Boerne’s smallest residents. “It’s been amazing watching the kids interact with our sculptures around town, especially on the library grounds. Kids naturally gravitate towards art, and if we can make it tangible and interactive for them, it truly is the beginning of a lifelong love of the arts,” Woods said.

Art al Fresco
artalfresco.org