An Ultimate Sacrifice Star of Texas by Justin Simmons

Details

Title: An Ultimate Sacrifice

Artist: Justin Simmons

Completed in: 2017

Partners: Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Women Inspiring Philanthropy, Arlington Museum of Art, City of Arlington, Downtown Arlington, and private donors

An Ultimate Sacrifice

An Ultimate Sacrifice by Justin “Just” Simmons stands near the entrance to the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center in Downtown Arlington. The mural honors the men and women of Arlington Police Department, those who dedicate their lives to protecting the community and to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The piece blends Simmons’ street-art energy with civic purpose. He infused the star with bold color, text, patriotic references, and layered imagery that combine to symbolize courage, unity, and remembrance. Its polished surfaces and dynamic forms merge his modern, street-art sensibility with the dignity of a formal monument, transforming familiar iconography into a moving tribute to public service.

Adjacent to An Ultimate Sacrifice is a second Star of Texas entitled What the Citizens See by Amy Stephens. Her piece honors the Arlington Fire Department.

The Star of Texas project

The Star of Texas project was launched in 2015 by the City of Arlington in collaboration with the Arlington Museum of Art. Its mission was to celebrate Arlington’s identity as “The American Dream City.” The six-foot fiberglass stars were designed by local artist Chris Cunningham. Local artists were invited to create designs on the stars based on their interpretation of how their American Dream comes to life in Arlington. Artists could use the medium of their choice.

Once completed, the Stars were installed in visible locations around the city, including Downtown Arlington and the Entertainment District. Initially the project featured 20 stars, but due to strong local response to the project, six additional stars were added in 2017. The artworks were fabricated so that they could be displayed outdoors for three years, though many have remained well beyond that.

By turning public spaces into open-air galleries, the Star of Texas project made art more accessible and encouraged residents and visitors to engage with their surroundings in new ways. The project has also been hailed for its role in boosting civic pride, supporting local artists, and highlighting the Downtown Arlington Cultural District.

About the Artist

The creative journey of Justin “Just” Simmons, a self-taught artist, has taken him from walls to canvas. Growing up in Muskogee, Oklahoma during the rise of Hip Hop culture, he absorbed the energy of films like Beat Street and Wild Style, and television like Good Times, which helped shape his visual voice.

In his Fort Worth-based studio practice, Simmons harnesses the immediacy of urban art and marries it with the discipline and nuance of fine art. He describes the shift from aerosol to acrylic and oil as both “challenging yet rewarding,” requiring a patience and control very different from his graffiti roots. Still, he continues to embrace his signature style of bold colors, saturated palettes, and dynamic forms.

Beyond style alone, his work is inspired by his Christian faith and the themes of redemption, morality and social commentary. Simmons cites spiritual narratives as a bedrock for many of his pieces and deliberately uses art as a platform for community-engaged dialogue.

Instagram: @justinjustsimmons

About the Downtown Arlington Public Art Program

The Downtown Arlington Public Art Program seeks to engage and inspire our community through art in public spaces. The Stars of Texas were funded by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Women Inspiring Philanthropy, Arlington Museum of Art, City of Arlington, Downtown Arlington, private donors, and property owner contributions. To find more public art in Downtown Arlington, visit the links at the bottom of this webpage. Downtown Arlington is the Arlington Cultural District.