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Round Rock council approves $360,000 Chihuly commission for new city art center

Round Rock City Council · December 18, 2025
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Summary

The council unanimously approved a $360,000 contract with Chihuly Studio to fabricate and install a custom blown-glass sculpture for the Griffith Building arts center; fabrication begins January 2026, with installation expected in fall 2026 and a mock-up review in spring.

Round Rock's City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an artwork commission agreement with Chihuly Studio for an original blown-glass sculpture at the Griffith Building city art center.

Staff described the work as a custom, suspended installation roughly 9 feet long and 6 feet wide composed of organically shaped glass elements in Dale Chihuly's signature style. Fabrication is scheduled to begin in January 2026, a full mock-up will be available for review in spring 2026, and final installation is expected in fall 2026. The presenter said the total contract cost is $360,000, to be initially financed from the city's internal financing and repaid through the city's hotel occupancy ("hot") fund paid by visitors staying in local hotels.

The council asked several practical questions about the piece. A staff presenter said the finished sculpture may vary from the sample image, that installation will be assembled on site (giving the public an opportunity to observe placement), and that the city's general services team has checked the ceiling capacity for the installation. Council members asked about weight and transport; staff confirmed the samples were flown in and shipped with protective packaging.

Councilmember Montgomery moved to adopt the resolution; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery and carried unanimously. After the vote, staff thanked the artist and presented a signed Chihuly book as a token of appreciation.

The council received no public comment on the item during the public hearing portion of the meeting. The next procedural step is city execution of the commission agreement and staff review of the spring mock-up.