What does it mean to immortalize someone through public art and what of the implications? There are countless examples of commissioned busts of kings, prophets, historical figures, and other wealthy or powerful individuals, deserving or not, but what about lifelong community leaders? Dallas artists Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin have rendered and donated a second stainless-steel owl sculpture named Wise in memory of longtime neighborhood resident Belva Becker, who died suddenly five years ago. Over a decade ago, in 2011, Belva Becker donated the first of the pair of owl sculptures named Whimsy, created by Brad Oldham Sculpture, in honor of Becker’s late husband Bill Becker.
A public dedication was held on Wednesday, July 27th, 2022, to celebrate the coming together of Wise and Whimsy. The two sculptures now have a permanent home at Exall Park on the southwest corner of the park near the intersection of Bryan Street and Skiles Street.
Artists tend to work out of a love of the craft and for the subjects they create. However, these particular owls have an even more sentimentality to the artists and to the park they reside. “Belva was the mother of my first husband, and we kept in touch with each other after my divorce. For more than 20 years, she was the grandmother to all our kids, whether related by blood or not, and we enjoyed many family dinners and holidays together. She lived a few miles from us and would be over to our house in a flash if we needed her—or we could be at her house if she needed us,” shares Christy Coltrin.
She continues: “She was my mentor in parenting and business. Belva and Bill Becker worked together at Howard Wolf in the 1960s and then started their own high-end luxury apparel business in the 1970s that ran for more than 40 years. Words fall short in describing the wonderful relationship that Brad and I had with Belva. In our family, we called her Grandmama and called him Zaide.” Howard B Wolf Inc manufactured women’s dresses and apparel from its factory in Fair Park. The company closed in 1999.
The Friends of Exall Park have agreed to maintain the sculptures and park. Many of the nonprofit organization’s members knew Belva and Bill Becker as members and personal friends. Belva was an original homeowner in Bryan Place since the early 1980s.
“Exall Park is a vital part of our Bryan Place community,” said Marie Earley, president of the Friends of Exall Park. “Having such heartfelt sculpture that carries the spirit of former residents so brilliantly is exciting.”
The City of Dallas accepted the donation from Brad Oldham Sculpture and worked with the artists to ensure that the spirit of the sculptures would be officially recorded in city files. “Public art is a vital component of a community, and the City of Dallas is happy to facilitate the donation of site-specific sculpture to Exall Park,” said Drema Chavez from the Office of Arts and Culture. “It is an exciting day when local artists and a local neighborhood group work together to make a Dallas public park truly special. These two owl sculptures will be in the community for the foreseeable future.”
In addition to donating Wise, the artists designed and donated a new concrete plinth and stainless-steel signage. The pedestal offers a nice perch for the owl sculptures surrounded by oak trees.
Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin shared thoughts with Patron on the donation and their engaging permanence below:
PATRON: We understand that Belva first donated Whimsy to the City of Dallas to pay tribute to her late husband Bill Becker, and the donation of Wise felt like an apt tribute to her. Will you speak to the pairing and how they also celebrate another great pair, Belva and Bill Becker?
Christy Coltrin: In 2011, Belva Becker donated Whimsy to Exall Park, demonstrating her well-honed ability to achieve a creative, impactful, and lasting win-win-win scenario. Whimsy was donated to the City of Dallas in honor of her husband, Bill Becker, who died in 2009. The sculpture aptly paid tribute to the stylish and affable Bill Becker, who was quick with a clever line or joke. They lived in Bryan Place, the neighborhood next to Exall Park. In 1980, Belva was one of the first homeowners in Bryan Place. As a native Dallasite, long-time neighborhood resident, and member of the Friends of Exall Park, her donation added great value to the public park she enjoyed. She chose the park because she used it regularly; she chose the story and visuals of Whimsy because it suited Bill Becker; and she chose us to make the sculpture because she was proud of her family. Belva had a magnificent ability to see an issue from many perspectives and find the idea that oriented all parties in a good direction. The way she used her intellect and heart was a defining characteristic.
Brad and I made Wise to accompany Whimsy because as Nelson Mandela said, “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” Bill and Belva were business and life partners who were great examples of how to build and share a life together at work and at home. They used their heads and hearts – and were great role models for Brad and me. For Belva’s sculpture, we included a specific nod to her style. One of Belva’s trademark fashion moves was to wear large sunglasses, so we made Wise with glasses.
P: In your words, what is the importance of contemporary public art? What makes Exall Park an ideal home for Whimsy and Wise?
Christy Coltrin/Brad Oldham: Exall Park is the largest park in downtown Dallas and is a widely used by residents in the diverse neighborhood nearby. However, the park doesn’t have the broad name recognition of the newer parks downtown. Exall Park is an authentic neighborhood park with a baseball diamond, recreation center, picnic facilities, programming like outdoor yoga classes, and neighborhood-sponsored events like the Christmas tree decorating contest (which Belva did every year with her group of friends known as the Silver Bells). Whimsy & Wise are located in a quiet corner of the park and visitors are regularly found sitting with the sculptures. This location is also idea because the Friends of Exall Park have agreed to maintain the sculptures and the garden where they sit. This commitment to keeping the sculptures in beautiful condition goes beyond any one individual and will be carried out by the caring neighborhood as a whole. Being site-specific artists, it is easy to say that Exall Park is the ideal location for Whimsy & Wise.
P: Art can immortalize its subject and subject matter; do you agree with that statement? If so, how does that sentiment influence your process?
CC: The viewer can read on our artists’ plaque that Whimsy & Wise were donated to honor a beloved couple who lived in the neighborhood for a very long time. The 316L stainless steel used to make the sculptures will be there for generations and generations–really, until someone intentionally moves them. While it is nice that their names will forever be associated with the sculptures, what is more important to me is that they bring joy and happiness to the viewer. It is these feelings that are more important than the names because those are the feelings that I have when I think of Bill and Belva Becker.
P: Are you working on any other public art projects you would like to share with us?
CC/BO: We love sharing the stories behind our sculptures because it is the “why” that ignites our inspiration. There are other installations coming up that we can talk about when they are completed.