What the Citizens See Star of Texas by Amy Stephens

Details

Title:  What the Citizens See 

Artist:  Amy Stephens 

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

What the Citizens See 

Amy Stephens’s What the Citizens See is a heartfelt, contemporary tribute to the men and women of the Arlington Fire Department. The piece showcases Stephens’s signature style—bold colors, textures, and symbolic imagery. The front of the Star depicts a firefighter’s jacket, rendered with striking realism as if hanging on a peg after a long day’s work. That image evokes both rest after a long day as well as remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 

On the back, a close-up of a firefighter’s patch captures the values that define the profession—courage, service, skill, and community pride. To deepen the connection, Stephens invited Arlington residents to share words that describe firefighters, which she wove throughout the Star’s design. The result is a layered expression of gratitude and unity, a lasting reminder of the city’s respect for its everyday heroes. 

Adjacent to What the Citizens See is a second Star of Texas entitled An Ultimate Sacrifice by Justin Simmons. His piece honors the Arlington Police 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 

Born and raised in Texas, Amy Stephens has had a lifelong passion for art. She began her professional art career as a muralist in 2012 and has completed many public art murals across North Texas. With decades of experience in foundry work and glass-blowing as well as other mediums, her work has been showcased in multiple national exhibitions across the country. In addition to her teaching and advising roles in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Texas at Arlington, Stephens has also served as a hot shop instructor at a local nonprofit glass school and gallery and has served in leadership roles for the Texas Sculpture Association.  

Instagram:  @astephensart 

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.