Sculptures will be lit for Illumination Celebration Finale

NOV. 14, 2023 – The public is invited to take a self-guided tour around the newly lit contemporary sculptures on either side of the railroad tracks along North and South First Streets on Saturday night starting at 6:45 p.m. Leading the procession will be members of the West Texas Region Porsche Club of America.

Families are encouraged to stop by Sonic for a treat! A limited number of coupons donated by Sonic for this special night are available for a free corn dog or Mini Sonic Blast. Stop by the T&P Depot at 6:45 p.m. Saturday to pick one up.

The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council completed the lighting project with a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts matched by private donations. Lighting for the 18 sculptures was completed by Bunkley Electric, which has partnered with the ACAC on many downtown projects.

                The ACAC, which is a division of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, received an $81,000 cultural district enhancement grant from TCA to light the contemporary sculptures, including the beloved “Picturesque Texas Buffalo” with the enlarged buffalo photo and saddle on North 1st Street and the world famous “The Singing Ringing Tree” on South Treadaway.

“The lighting of the contemporary sculptures will provide a beautiful and memorable entryway to the Cultural District from the east and west and distinguish Abilene as a city that values the arts,” said Lynn Barnett, Chamber Vice President of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council. “Now these sculptures can be appreciated both day and night!”

                Since 2019, the Cultural Affairs Council has been fortunate to receive over $500,000 in Cultural District Enhancement grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts. These grants have been matched by more $700,000 from local donors.

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