Dixie Friend Gay

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Houston artist Dixie Friend’s ‘Books of a Feather’ recognized as one of the nation’s best public artworks

By Molly Glentzer

Published 2:21 pm CDT, Friday, June 15, 2018

Photo: City Of Houston / City Of Houston

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Mayor Sylvester Turner poses with Dixie Friend's "Books of a Feather" at the Alice McKean Young Neighborhood Library.

Americans for the Arts has named Dixie Friend’s “Books of a Feather,” a trio of monumental mosaic tile bird sculptures, one of the most compelling public artworks in America.

The recognition came during the national organization’s annual meeting Friday in Denver.

Commissioned by the City of Houston for the new, high-tech Alice McKean Young Neighborhood Library at 5260 Griggs Road, Friend’s steel and concrete sculptures tower 12 to 15 feet tall. Each is covered with hand-placed, multi-colored glass and ceramic mosaic tiles, as well as hand-made tiles stamped with book titles that include words associated with birds and flight.

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VIDEOS

"Books of a Feather" Dedication

The monumental outdoor sculpture was commissioned for the Alice McKean Young Neighborhood Library and consists of three large scale birds made of steel and concrete ranging in size from 12 to 15 feet, each of which is covered with hand-placed, multi-colored glass and ceramic mosaic tiles that shimmer and sparkly when caught by the light, as well as hand-mad tiles stamped with book titles that include words associated with birds and flight.

Arts InSight

Arts InSight visits mosaic artist Dixie Friend Gay, whose murals enliven airports and terminals across the country from the PortMiami to Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Initial broadcast date: July 25, 2013 (Episode #133)

Time Lapsed Video of "North Texas Sunrise" by Dixie Friend Gay being installed sped up. The installation took a little over 10 weeks but we have sped it up for you! Enjoy

Getting to Know Dixie Friend Gay - Glasstire

Dixie Friend Gay discusses public art and her latest installation of three giant mosaic birds titled "Books of a Feather" at the Alice M. Young Neighborhood Library in Houston, Texas.

"San Antonio River" Mosiac Mural at Weston Centre

The piece, titled “The San Antonio River,” depicts a colorful, lush vegetation and wildlife scene inspired by the area’s ecosystem. The mural is made from hand-glazed tiles and will take 18 days total to install.

Read full article HERE.