Rainbow Star of Texas by Izzy Espinosa

Details

Title: Rainbow 

Artist: Izzy Espinoza 

Concept: DeeJay Johannessen 

Completed in: 2015 

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

Rainbow 

Arlington is regularly ranked as one of the most diverse large cities in the United States. Rainbow by Izzy Espinoza was created to depict and celebrate this diversity. This Star of Texas base is drenched in rainbow hues with a slight metallic glow, giving the piece a “candy-coated” finish. Each horizontal band of color represents different threads of identity found within Arlington, inviting visitors to reflect on how a collection of individual stories can shine together as one. 

DeeJay Johannessen, CEO of the HELP Center for LGBTQ+ Health, worked closely with Espinoza to develop the mural concept. “All of us have our own individual pride,” said Johannessen, “and each colorful layer brings that out. In Arlington, the beautiful thing is that we are able to come together to make a strong community.” 

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 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.