Have you noticed Fort Worth’s new welcome art on State Highway 121?
As you approach downtown Fort Worth from westbound State Highway 121, you may notice giant steel letters spelling out “Fort Worth.”
This new welcome gateway art was in the works for over 20 years.
In 2004, the city received a prestigious Governor’s Community Achievement Award for its “Keep Fort Worth Beautiful” efforts, which provided funding for this project. In 2007, Fort Worth Public Art got involved.
Then in 2012, lead artist Etty Horowitz and architect Kevin Sloan were selected to bring the project to life. Sadly, Sloan passed away in 2021 so his colleague and landscape architect, Matt Stubbs, took over with Horowitz.
The artwork was originally planned for westbound Interstate 30 until long-term plans for the I-30 corridor made State Highway 121 a better fit.
Then finally, the installation was completed this year in late February.
Inspiration behind Fort Worth’s newest welcome art installation
Horowitz and Sloan’s designs were inspired by “the concept of ‘an old road to the west’ and the repetition of crop rows,” according to a news release.
The letters are a rusty orange, made from Cor-Ten steel, which is a durable metal that develops a weathered appearance when exposed to outside elements.
The side of State Highway 121 is rooted with Texas prairie grasses and is known to bloom with Texas wildflowers during spring and summer. The large Fort Worth letters are mounted on concrete slabs among this natural land.
Why are the letters installed backward?
When the City of Fort Worth announced the new art along Highway 121, many residents commented, “Welcome to HTROW TROF!” The uproar is because the first letter you see is the H in Worth and the last letter you see if the F in Fort.
Anne Allen, Public Art Project Manager at Arts Fort Worth explained in an email to the Star-Telegram:
“It is the artist team’s intent that the artwork act as a gateway into the city, and it intended to be viewed from a vehicle at posted traffic speeds; so that there is a moment where it lines up to dramatically spell ‘FORT WORTH’. They note that we read ‘left to right’ so this is how they designed the letters to line up.”
How to view new Fort Worth art along State Highway 121
The letters are meant to be viewed whilst in a moving car. Do not pull over on the highway to view them.
You can find the new artwork located between Maxine Street and Beach Street exit on the north side of the westbound traffic lanes of State Highway 121.
