A sculpture known as "Night Winds," with a history spanning over four decades in Longview, is set to find a new home. The artwork, created by the late artist John Daniel, will be relocated to the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center. This move follows a donation from Trinity School of Texas, where the sculpture has resided since 1997.
The relocation marks another chapter for the sculpture, which has experienced several moves and periods of public discussion since its initial installation in 1981. Longview city officials and the arboretum management are preparing for its arrival, with all moving and refinishing costs covered by the donor.
Key Takeaways
- "Night Winds" sculpture, created by John Daniel, is moving to the Longview Arboretum.
- Trinity School of Texas is donating the sculpture to the City of Longview.
- Trinity School will cover all expenses for moving and refinishing the artwork.
- The Longview Parks Advisory Board approved the move; City Council approval is pending.
- A new aquatics supervisor has been appointed for the City of Longview.
Sculpture's Journey Through Longview
The "Night Winds" sculpture was first installed in Longview in 1981. Its original location was at the corner of South and High streets. This site was where Kilgore College had recently opened its Longview campus. The campus was in a renovated Sears store at the time.
Kilgore College commissioned the sculpture. The goal was to enhance the building's appearance, making it look less like a former retail space. Longview's Arts and Culture Commission provided some grant funding for the project, according to earlier reports from the News-Journal.
Sculpture Facts
- Artist: John Daniel (deceased)
- Original Installation: 1981
- First Location: Kilgore College Longview campus (South and High streets)
- Commissioned By: Kilgore College
Early Public Reaction and Relocation
Soon after its installation, the sculpture generated public debate. Some residents appreciated the artwork, while others did not. This controversy led to a decision by Kilgore College in 1986 to remove "Night Winds."
After its removal, the sculpture was stored behind the college building for several years. It remained largely out of public view during this period. The artwork was loaded into a dump truck for its initial relocation.
"The arboretum is excited about the possibility of welcoming 'Night Winds' into our garden," said Kathleen Cochran, marketing director for the Longview Arboretum.
Trinity School's Role and Current Donation
In 1997, Julie Fowler, who served as dean of the KC-Longview facility at the time, found a new home for "Night Winds." She arranged for the sculpture to be placed at Trinity School of Texas. The artwork has remained at the school since then, becoming a fixture on its grounds for over two decades.
This week, Longview Parks and Recreation Director John Albertson announced the school's decision. Trinity School of Texas now wishes to donate the sculpture to the City of Longview. The proposed new location is the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center.
Arboretum Ownership Structure
The City of Longview owns the land where the arboretum is located. The Longview Arboretum itself owns the Visitor Center building at the front of the property. This arrangement allows for collaboration between the city and the arboretum on various projects.
Reasons for the Donation
According to Albertson, Trinity School no longer desires to keep the sculpture. He explained that "Night Winds" has evolved into a play feature for students, who often climb on it. This use is not ideal for the preservation of the artwork.
A significant aspect of this donation is the financial commitment from Trinity School. The school will cover all costs associated with moving the sculpture. This includes transportation, installation at the arboretum, and professional refinishing of the artwork. "With what they’re doing to refinish it, I don’t see any cost coming (for the city of Longview) in the future," Albertson stated.
Relocation Details
- Donor: Trinity School of Texas
- Recipient: City of Longview for the Longview Arboretum
- Costs Covered By: Trinity School of Texas (moving, installation, refinishing)
Approval Process and Future Plans
The Longview Parks Advisory Board has already voted to support the relocation. However, this proposal is not yet final. The Longview City Council must approve the move at a later date for it to proceed. This ensures all official procedures are followed for the transfer of public art.
Kathleen Cochran, marketing director for the arboretum, confirmed that the exact placement of "Night Winds" within the gardens has not been finalized. The arboretum team will determine the best location to display the sculpture effectively.
City's Aquatics Program Update
In related news, John Albertson also announced a change in the city's aquatics department. Jack Gense, the city's aquatics supervisor, has resigned. His resignation is effective September 26.
Gense played a key role in reinstating swimming lessons in Longview during the past summer. He completed necessary training to then train other instructors to teach swim classes. This effort helped bring important community services back to residents.
Noah Gurrola will now take over the aquatics supervisor position. Gurrola currently oversees the city's sports tourism initiatives. Albertson expressed confidence in Gurrola's abilities. "Given what we’ve seen so far, I think he’ll be great in it," Albertson commented. He added that the aquatics training program would restart under Gurrola's leadership.
- Aquatics Supervisor Resignation: Jack Gense (effective Sept. 26)
- New Aquatics Supervisor: Noah Gurrola
- Gurrola's Previous Role: Overseeing city's sports tourism
This transition aims to maintain and potentially expand the city's aquatic services, ensuring continued access to swimming programs for the community.
