Guest Blogger Gail Sachson owns Ask Me About Art, offering lectures, tours and program planning. She is Vice-Chair of the Dallas Cultural Affairs Commission and a member of the Public Art Committee. She has been a juror for “Scrap Can Be Beautiful” for several years and curated and coordinated this year’s exhibit.

On Monday, we invited readers to try and guess where this piece of public art is located.

Congratulations to William Addington for guessing the location of the recently unveiled Paradise Garden Wall by Dallas photographer Carolyn Brown. Commissioned by the Public Art Committee, The Paradise Garden Wall measures 15 feet long, 4 feet tall and 2 feet in thickness. The striking wall, identifying the entrance to the State Thomas area, has drive-by appeal, as seen from passing motorists  on a green space across  from the Hotel ZaZa on the Maple-Routh connection.

One hundred and sixty-six  12″ x 12″ photographic high-fired porcelain ceramic tiles with floral designs of Magnolia Blossoms, Mexican Hats, Virginia Creepers, Bluebonnets and more were inspired by the Victorian English artist William Morris. These flowers have decorated the State Thomas yards since the first homes were built in the area.

The wall ends are scripted with nature poetry by African American poets, paying homage to the first residents of the State Thomas neighborhood. The residents today are so delighted,  proud of their history and their area, that the Association is sponsoring black river rocks and lights to be added to the work. (On a personal note, it would be quite wonderful if a business in the area might sponsor a bench.)

“The Paradise Garden Wall is colorful, cheerful and permanent. Its flowers don’t wilt in the Texas heat or drought, nor do they suffer on a frosty night,” Brown says.

Enjoy another example of the welcoming artscape in Dallas.