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Wylie council approves two bronze sculptures for municipal walking trails
Summary
The council approved two bronze public-art commissions for the municipal walking trails: "Echoes of the Prairie" by Sonny Behan at a cost not to exceed $59,190 and a Caddo hunter sculpture by Seth Vandible at a cost not to exceed $60,000. Both contracts were authorized and council clarified funding comes from arts board event revenues, not taxes.
The Wylie City Council on Jan. 28 approved two public-art commissions for the municipal walking trails (Phase 3), authorizing the city manager to execute contracts for the works.
The council approved Echoes of the Prairie, a large-scale bronze deer sculpture proposed by artist Sonny Behan, at a cost not to exceed $59,190. Behan presented via video and described the piece as a rearing white-tailed stag cast in bronze with a white patina and gold-finished antlers; he said the design was adjusted to remove arrows after feedback and to reflect anatomically correct antlers for white-tailed deer. Council accepted the final design as presented.
The council also approved a companion piece by local sculptor Seth Vandible: a life-size bronze depiction of a Caddo-era prairie hunter intended to sit near the deer as part of the trails installation. Vandible described plans for historically accurate detailing, traditional lost-wax casting, a stainless-clad iron base, lighting and low-maintenance finishes. Council authorized a contract not to exceed $60,000.
Council members noted the public-arts advisory board will fund the pieces from festival and event revenues rather than property taxes, and staff confirmed the artists included maintenance plans and recommended semiannual waxing for bronze preservation.
The public-arts selection process included review by a panel with at least one panelist who is Tunica and Choctaw; staff reported outreach to the Caddo Mounds Museum and a language specialist in Alto, Texas, to confirm cultural accuracy. Council discussed inviting representatives of Caddo heritage organizations to the dedication; staff said the museum had previously agreed to participate in dedications.
Motions to approve both commissions passed 7'00.
Why it matters: The sculptures are intended as permanent public-art installations designed to enhance the municipal trail system, reflect local natural history and acknowledge Indigenous presence in the area. Funding from arts board events means the projects do not use general property-tax revenue.
