AP and the City of Dallas completed and celebrated a community art installation at Twin Falls Park in Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood. #thehuminazation, a sculpture by artist Jennifer Cowley, is a tribute to Dallas artist Arthello Beck Jr.’s words, works of art, and life. Beck was a quiet, gentle man who painted humanizing scenes of African American family, culture, and life. The sculpture is a positive manifestation of his ultimate vision: humanizing African American life.
Beck, who is considered one of the Southwest’s leading African American artists, depicted the African American family in many ways: children at play, fathers reading to their children, generations of women styling hair, children dancing, little girls playing with dolls, religious scenes and others. These depictions are all woven into the #thehuminazation sculpture. AP donated the installation’s foundation, wall, staining and landscape.
“When I contacted AP many months ago about providing concrete work for #thehumanization, I was immediately taken in by their authenticity and eagerness to be a part of this important project,” said Cowley. “When Granger Hassmann and Shaun Knops (project manager for AP) informed me AP would provide the pro bono work, I was floored and moved to tears. Many thanks to AP and their team for everything they have done to help get the project to completion.”
“AP is honored to have participated in this project in memory of Arthello Beck, Jr.’s great life and important work,” said Granger Hassmann, AP’s Vice President of Preconstruction and Estimating. “This installation shows how community members are carrying on the artist’s legacy, and we are proud to have worked with the City of Dallas and an accomplished artist like Jennifer Cowley.”
