The nature-inspired mosaic in Midtown Park has been recognized nationally as one of the Best Public Art Projects by Americans for the Arts. This honor is determined by public art experts in the only national program that awards public arts projects.

The aptly titled ‘Wild Wonderland,’ created by local artist Dixie Friend Gay, is a perfect encapsulation of the wildlife native to Houston–in the first twelve inches above ground level. Friend-Gay is nationally renowned for her depictions of the natural world, and this installation does not disappoint. Viewed from a distance, the realistic detail is impressive, but the closer one gets to the wall, more appreciable the level of complexity becomes.

HOUSTON, Texas June 14, 2019—Americans for the Arts today honored Dixie Friend Gay for two different projects among 50 outstanding public arts projects created in 2018 through the Public Art Network Year in Review program, the only national program that specifically recognizes the most compelling public art. Chosen by public art experts, the roster of selected projects was unveiled this morning at Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention in Minneapolis. This is the 18th year that Americans for the Arts has recognized public art works.

Beaumont Enterprise wrote an article about the new Science & Technology building at Lamar University. The article mentions the 25-by-12 foot mosaic “and We Waltz with Water” created for the building. The mosaic features a Southeast Texas swamp with lily pads and a body of rippling water. Check out the full article below!

The Houston Chronicle's Molly Glentzer has written a great online article about my most recently completed project, Wild Wonderland. This 12' x 63' mosaic mural is part of the new Midtown Park here in Houston, located at 2811 Travis. The mural features a plethora plants, flowers, insects and other tiny creatures found in nature. 

The Austin Chronicle featured Lake Nessy in an online article about Austin's large-scale public art.

D Magazine featured North Texas Sunrise in an online article about public art in Dallas airports.

My most recent public art commission Reality's Illusion was installed last week in an elementary school in Bremerton, Washington, near Seattle. This project was part of Washington State's Percentage for the Arts program. Reality's Illusion features seven 47 inches x 47 inches mosaic panels crafted from glass and hand glazed tile, along with hand formed cast glass and ceramic pieces. My two studio assistants, Kasi Kubiak and Emily Burgess, helped in crafting the cast glass pieces. The panels were designed with the microscopic ecosystems of the Olympia Peninsula in mind and have hidden elements, unique shapes, and images to be discovered by students and adults alike. 

Glasstire did an interview with me and several other local artists whose homes and studios were affected by Hurricane Harvey. The image is of my own studio and the impact the flood had. Please take a moment to read these stories.

This is a write-up in the May 2017 Issue of Local Magazine by Tim Moloney, describing the newest installation "Books of a Feather" at the Alice M. Young Neighborhood Library.

Make sure to stop by The Williams Tower this month and check out Kaleidiscope: Approaching Nature. An exhibition featuring works by Penny Cerling, Janice Freeman, Dixie Friend Gay, and Allison Hunter. Exhibition organized by Sally Sprout Fine Art.

This sculpture serves as a playful welcoming terminus to Mueller’s Lake Park in Austin, Texas.  The 16-foot-high, 30-foot-long serpent-like sculpture was inspired by mythological water creatures, using handmade tiles to give the feeling of barnacles and other sea life, adding textual distinction from the smooth, glossy, glass “scales.”

An Installation for D-10 Senior Center in San Antonio