Become a part of the DREAM

Imagine standing at the base of a giant letter “D,” one that reaches 12 feet into the sky. It’s made of thick metal, so it’s strong and formidable. Within the letter, there are rows and rows of cut outs, each in the shape of a flying bird. As you look to your right, the D joins with four more letters - similarly rendered and equally spectacular – to form a word: DREAM.

Emanating from within the letters is light, which casts through the cut out birds to form a perfect but delicate flock in the air and on the ground. It’s up to you to make DREAM come alive. The lights are synchronized to change colors at the touch of your fingertips on your mobile device.

Now it’s your DREAM, bigger than life.

DREAM is becoming a reality, right here in Downtown Arlington. Downtown Arlington Management Corporation has pledged $25,000 towards Project DREAM.

“Public art is a great builder of community,” said Tony Rutigliano, DAMC president and CEO. “It creates a connection between place and people.”

The members of the DAMC board invite you to join them in support of Project DREAM. All contributions are welcome, and those gifts of $5,000 or more will be guaranteed inclusion on the donor wall if received by July 31. All gifts are tax deductible. Donations can be made online through PayPal, or checks can be mailed or dropped off at the DAMC office.

The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, which also contributed $25,000, said that DREAM met its criteria for being innovative, new and unique.

“The Foundation seeks opportunities that take our community to a new place. DREAM fulfills that mission,” said Carolyn Mentesana, executive director of the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation. “Project DREAM, particularly through social media, has the power to connect people from all over the world in a personal way to Arlington.”

“Ultimately, we envision DREAM becoming the anchor of an urban park near the new 101 Center mixed use development,” Rutigliano said. While a permanent location for the sculpture has not been finalized, First Baptist Church-Arlington has agreed in the interim to host the sculpture on its downtown property adjacent to the Levitt Pavilion Founders Plaza.

A dedication event for DREAM is planned for late September.

For more information about making a donation, visit http://www.dreamarlington.org.