THE AMA PRESENTS

The Giant Water Bottle Sculpture Project with Artist Willie Cole

August 15 - October 15, 2024

Putting the "A" in STEAM

The Arlington Museum of Art presents the The Giant Water Bottle Sculpture Project with Artist Willie Cole in partnership with the Tarrant County Education Foundation.

In 2023, TCEF invited artist Willie Cole to share his compelling concept of “Artcycling” with the Fort Worth ISD community. Teachers, students, and families from many different schools across the district worked to collect and prepare 20,000 water bottles in support of the creation a 30-ft. sculpture of a giant man. During the assembly phase and throughout the district, the artist hosted STEAM-focused conservations about lessoning the impact of plastics on our environment, empowering creativity, inspiring higher learning, teamwork, and community building. The project was completed in March 2024 and debuted at Arts Fort Worth.

Learn more at tcefoundation.org

ARTCYCLING with Willie Cole

‘They love working together.’ Fort Worth students collect bottles for giant sculpture

by Cristian ArguetaSoto for the Fort Worth Report, September 26, 2023

Photo by Cristian ArguetaSoto for the KERA

Tarrant County Education Foundation Executive Director Dr. Arlene Barnett said the goal of the The Giant Water Bottle Sculpture Project with Artist Willie Cole is to teach students about the importance of higher education; expose them to science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers in an unconventional way; and positively impact the community by exposing students to opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise gotten, such as working with Cole…

“Part of it is to have them exposed, not just to the creative part of the art but also a conversation around what’s happening in the community, what’s happening on our planet and what they’re going to do about it,” Barnett said.

Read the rest of the story at fortworthreport.org

About the Artist

Award-winning artist Willie Cole describes himself as a “perceptual engineer” whose goals is to “change the way we see things.”

Cole integrates surrealism and transformation into his work, which has been showcased at museums and galleries across the country. His art has been the subject of several one-person museum exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, New York (1998), Bronx Museum of the Arts (2001), Miami Art Museum (2001), Tampa Museum of Art (2004), University of Wyoming Art Museum (2006), Montclair Art Museum (2006), and the College of Wooster Art Museum (2013-14).

Learn more at williecole.com

Willie Cole, williecole.com

More to Explore at the AMA

Traditional Gallery

In this large space divided into intimate galleries (perfect for viewing the art up close), the Arlington Museum of Art showcases a myriad of collections comprised of “traditional” art. We define traditional art forms are those that have been a long-standing part of a culture (such as painting, sculpture, textiles, photography, metalwork, etc.).

Immersive Galleries

In our four Immersive Galleries, we curate multisensory experiences that envelop viewers within the artwork itself. A unique blend of art and technology, the defining features of the immersive art installations we present are their originality, artistry, and meticulous design. Our Immersive Galleries total nearly 21,000 sq ft with walls 18 feet tall. That’s immersive!

HELP Center Gallery

Through an ambitious rotation of curated exhibits and related programs, the HELP Center for LGBTQ+ Health Gallery at the AMA provides a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their unique perspectives and talents. Admission to the HELP Center Gallery is free, and its exhibition calendar is always changing.

Become an AMA Member

Enhance your experience at the Arlington Museum of Art by becoming an annual member. You’ll receive free tickets to exhibitions, invitations to private exhibition openings, Gift Shop discounts, and be the first to learn about art talks and events. Choose a membership level with the benefits that fit your lifestyle!

Become a Sponsor

As a non-profit organization, the Arlington Museum of Art relies on individual donors, corporate sponsors, non-profit partners, and foundations to fulfill our mission. Contact Chris Hightower to learn how you can become a sponsor of our exhibitions and help more people discover the power of art.