To complement their new West Village housing complex, Texas Tech University has installed the newest and brightest addition to its public art program.  Titled Texas Rising, artists Joe O’Connell and Blessing Hancock of Tucson, Arizona created stainless steel stars that are lit from within featuring LED lights and cutout symbols that cast intricate shadows relating to Texas Tech and campus life. Artists hope the pieces will become “a gathering place for students and a place people will want to visit again and again.”

The project was managed by Texas Tech’s Facilities Planning and Construction department under the leadership of Michael Molina and with Denise Hostick serving as project manager. Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects and Mackey Mitchell Architects designed the complex as part of the project team, which also included Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.  Mackey Mitchell’s project team included Dan Mitchell, John Burse, Steve Emer, Kyle Wagner, Tom Moore, Gregory Keppel,  Clay Phillips, Nick Naeger, Kevin Symons, and  Merrilee Hertlein.  Great client, great team, great project!