New Coloring Book Celebrates Great Outdoor Spaces in Downtown Arlington

How lucky are we to live in Texas? So many sunny days and cool nights, perfect for getting out and taking in the great outdoors. But sometimes a little rain must fall, and you know how unpredictable Texas winters can be. On those days or evenings when the kids can't go outside and play, Downtown Arlington is pleased to offer an indoor activity full of hometown pride. 

With enthusiastic thanks to our sponsors Frost Bank and the Candlelight Inn, many of Downtown Arlington's unique cultural and heritage destinations have been captured in a brand new, fun and interactive coloring + activity book for kids (and adults)! The Downtown Arlington Coloring Book includes over a dozen pages, illustrated by local artist Derek Thorn, featuring favorite and familiar destinations.

Within the book, you can color University of Texas at Arlington mascot Blaze Maverick or connect the dots inside College Park Center. In a W. Main-inspired maze, you can find your way from the Downtown Library past the Arlington Museum of Art, Miss Persis Studio of Dance, Theatre Arlington, and The Man's Shop to Fire Station No. 1. While expressing your Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers spirit, you might even learn a little history as you create your own color scheme for the Historic Arlington mural by Lee and Sheri Hay. Ready for your encore? Write your name on the marquee at the Arlington Music Hall or draw yourself on stage at the Levitt Pavilion!

"The Downtown Arlington Coloring Book has been such an affirming, collaborative project from Day One," said Maggie Campbell, President and CEO of Downtown Arlington Management Corporation. "Our Marketing Committee immediately offered their enthusiastic support. Derek Thorn really brought our vision to life through his talent and passion for Arlington. Seeing each partner within the book come to life as illustrations has been so fun and gratifying! And when Frost Bank jumped in as our partner, our dreams for printing the book came true." 

Free copies of the Downtown Arlington Coloring Book will be distributed throughout Downtown, which holds the State of Texas designation of Arlington Cultural District. In the meantime, grab your crayons, color pencils or markers! Start coloring right now by clicking on this image of the Coloring Book cover design to download and print it.
 

Show Us Your Masterpiece   

After you finish coloring each page, Downtown Arlington invites you to share your masterpiece with us! Post your completed pages, then tag us @dtarlington on Facebook or Instagram.
 

Where to Find It   

We're in the process of distributing the Downtown Arlington Coloring Book to locations throughout Downtown including the Downtown Library, Legal Draft and most coffee shops. You can also request copies by emailing our BID Services and Communications Manager, Katie Gosa at katie@downtownarlington.org. 

  

Meet the Artist   

Derek Thorne is a local artist who has always been drawn to creating. Originally from upstate New York, he relocated to Arlington, Texas in 1996. His creativity spills over in all kinds of mediums including digital design, photography, sculpting, poetry/rap, furniture restoration, and watercolor, but his favorite is Prismacolor pencil and ink. 

"Illustrating has always been my favorite," said Derek. "Don't get me wrong -- I love all mediums -- but a pen or pencil on paper is the key that unlocked everything else for me."

His advice to aspiring creatives? "If you want to be an artist, go for it!"

For the coloring book project, Derek found inspiration all around Downtown. "Downtown Arlington is full of hidden gems and public masterpieces," he said. "This coloring book aims to bring them to life on the page and in the imagination of the city's youngest residents and visitors. My hope is that by connecting with these unique Downtown locations in a personal way, the places will become deified in kids’ minds and make them all the more excited to see them in real life."
 

About Downtown Outdoors   

Downtown Outdoors is Downtown Arlington’s platform for discovering and experiencing the great outdoors in the heart of the city. Downtown Outdoors not only helps us see Arlington’s historical and cultural district differently, but will create opportunities to discover and engage with the district’s many outdoor spaces through creative new programming that’s open to all.

About Downtown Arlington   

Designated by the State of Texas as the Arlington Cultural District, Downtown Arlington is where creativity, authenticity, and hometown pride thrive and drive what's next. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown is home to a top tier public research university, prolific visual and performing arts, live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. downtownarlington.org