After several unforeseen delays, the “All Aboard Katy” public art project is about make its appearance throughout the Katy community.
ALL ABOARD KATY – These locomotives are among the four currently stored at the LaCenterra “roundhouse” waiting to be painted. A total of 11 specially-designed locomotives will be placed throughout the Katy area as part of the “All Aboard Katy” public art project.
A public art project similar to Chicago’s “Cows on Parade” effort, “All Aboard Katy” will feature a series of locomotives, all designed and painted with local themes, strategically placed throughout Katy.
Each locomotive is 6½ feet tall and 9 feet wide and was created by Nebraska-based America’s Fiberglass Animals.
When decorated and placed throughout the community, the locomotives are intended to reflect Katy’s railroad heritage, promote tourism, unite and identify the community, engage local businesses and raise funds for the Katy Heritage Society and ARTreach.
The first four locomotives are currently being stored at a “roundhouse” at LaCenterra. Organizers said storing them at LaCenterra will allow the public to watch as artists work on the trains before they are placed in public locations throughout Katy.
Four trains are waiting to be painted; seven more have been ordered.
No artists have yet been commissioned to paint the trains.
Once the locomotives have been painted, local automobile dealerships will clear coat the designs to protect them from the elements. The trains will then be transported on a trailer to their permanent location.
“All Aboard Katy” is a joint project between the Katy Heritage Society and Katy ARTreach.
The project has also been endorsed by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, Katy Area Economic Development Council and the Texas Commission on the Arts.
By: John Pape on Mon, Nov 23, 2009
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