Arts Commission recommends Field House mural design A to council, asks that cross be removed

The Duncanville Arts Commission on June 23 recommended that City Council approve Design 1A for a proposed Field House mural, on the condition that a visible cross be removed from the rendering.

Commissioners reviewed five designs for the mural and discussed suitability for a city building. One commissioner raised concern that the cross in Design 1A would be inappropriate on a municipal facility and asked whether the artist could remove it. Commissioner Amy Jenkins moved to recommend Design 1A with the cross removed; another commissioner seconded the motion. The commission took a hand/voice vote and the motion carried; no members raised opposition on the record.

After agreeing on a recommended design, the commission made a separate recommendation to City Council supporting approval of the mural permit for the field house. Commissioner Lydia moved to recommend permit approval and Mr. Browning seconded; commissioners voted in favor and the recommendation carried with no recorded opposition.

Commissioners also noted a recent public discussion about political imagery in murals after identifying a past mural that incorporated a Palestinian flag. The group said they would continue to review designs through the lens of suitability for public facilities.

Why it matters: The Arts Commission's recommendation goes to City Council, which considers formal permit approval. The commission’s conditional recommendation (removal of religious iconography from the rendering) signals commissioners' intent to keep city-sponsored imagery secular and nonpartisan while supporting public art installations.

The commission recorded its recommendations and will notify City Council of the preferred design and the permit recommendation.