Sculpture May Be Moved Again
By Susan Schrock and John Austin, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas
Oct. 26–ARLINGTON — It’s not etched in stone, but the monumental Caelum Moor sculpture that once drew pagan worshippers and protests from religious groups might be dusted off and erected in the Glorypark development.
At a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Wednesday, developers announced their hopes to integrate Caelum Moor into the $600 million town center. Commission members were reviewing plans for the residential, retail and office development, which is expected to open in fall 2008 next to Ameriquest Field in north Arlington.
If the City Council approves the proposal, the sculpture would sit on public land north of Randol Mill Road near Johnson Creek. The council could consider the plan as soon as next month, but many details, such as who would own and maintain the sculpture, have not been finalized, city officials said.
Parks Director Pete Jamieson said it could cost about $1 million to re-erect sculptor Norm Hines’ work. The sculpture, which resembles Stonehenge but is actually a representation of a constellation in the Southern Hemisphere, is intended to sit on nearly 6 acres and include a water feature.
Developer Steiner + Associates submitted the only official response to the city’s May offer to donate the artwork, valued at as much as $3 million, to anyone who would erect the sculpture in Arlington, city leaders said. Steiner officials said Hines backs their plan.
“Whether or not they go to the Glorypark area is undetermined. They would be a good amenity wherever they are placed,” Deputy City Manager Trey Yelverton said. “It will be good just to get them out of the water treatment plant and put them up somewhere.”
Controversial art
The monoliths were originally planned as the centerpiece of an ambitious commercial development near what’s now The Parks at Arlington mall in south Arlington. But the company went bankrupt, and in 1997, the towering granite figures were mothballed at the city’s Pierce Burch Water Treatment Plant.
Over the years, the city considered placing the stones in a public park, but the cost of moving the 500 tons of stones to another site was estimated at tens of thousands of dollars.
Some religious leaders opposed the plan, saying the artwork had pagan ties. In 1996, several witches confirmed that Caelum Moor had been a site for rituals and would probably be again if the stones were moved to public property.
A committee was formed to find a permanent home for the sculpture, but its recommendations never gained traction.
“They didn’t want their tax dollars going for something they felt was of a religious nature. Not only was it offensive to them, there was the matter of separation of church and state,” said Councilman Steve McCollum, who in 2000 suggested that the city sell the stones on eBay.
McCollum said he has since researched other stone pillar artworks and Stonehenge replicas, and supports keeping Caelum Moor as public art in Arlington, though he believes that the stones are likely to draw controversy again.
McCollum said he found numerous examples of similar stone monuments throughout Texas, including on public land.
“The people that object to it certainly have a good case and strong convictions. The reality is that these things are art, and they really aren’t religious in nature at all,” McCollum said.
The prospect of having the sculpture in public view delights Anne Allen, director of the Arlington Museum of Art.
“I knew that Glorypark was one of the possibilities,” Allen said, adding that Arlington is short of public art. “I think it’ll be outstanding.”
Glorypark and city officials said they believe that the sculpture will attract visitors.
“With the amount of traffic and visibility and access that we’ll have there by the sports venues, I just don’t think you would see the kinds of activities that one might find undesirable up there,” Jamieson said.
This report includes material from the Star-Telegram archives.
IN THE KNOW
Caelum Moor at a glance
Value: As much as $3 million
Size: 22 monoliths of Texas pink granite weigh about 500 tons
Location: Pierce Burch Water Treatment Plant
Creator: Norm Hines sculpted the monoliths, which were commissioned by Jane Mathes Kelton, whose family once owned the land that includes the Highlands and The Parks at Arlington mall.
History
May 1986: The sculpture, on a parklike property near Interstate 20 and Cooper Street, is dedicated to the people of Arlington. It is planned as the centerpiece of a 340-acre commercial development.
January 1989: The development company files for bankruptcy.
January 1990: The city agrees to take over maintenance of the park.
November 1996: A group of 20 ministers send a letter to city officials and others saying the new site could become a “Witchcraft Park.” Local witches say they would welcome a chance to conduct rites at the site.
Early 1997: The sculpture is donated to the city by the new property owner, which plans a retail development at the site. A committee explores possible sites to relocate the sculpture.
March 1997: The stones are “temporarily” moved to the water treatment plant.
June 2000: A committee suggests giving the sculpture to the University of Texas at Arlington or auctioning it on eBay.
Early 2003: The city rejects an offer from an Ohio nonprofit to buy the stones.
May: The city says it will donate the stones to someone who will set them up in Arlington.
SOURCE: Star-Telegram archives
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Susan Schrock, 817-548-5475 sschrock@star-telegram.com John Austin, 817-548-5418 jaustin@star-telegram.com
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Copyright (c) 2006, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas
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