Dallas' Brad Oldham Sculpture Makes Top 10 List of Public Artists in the U.S.

When people encounter art in a museum, they’re usually hushed and muted, moving through galleries in circumspect silence. But public art is meant to be experienced in the wild—with a surprise around the corner amid the hustle and bustle of life.

And according to The Power of Public Art study by CODAworx, one of America’s top public art studios is right here in North Texas. The study listed Dallas’ Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin of Brad Oldham Sculpture at No. 10 in the U.S. for their contribution to the public art sector, as exemplified in their recent project Bloom Where You’re Planted in Surprise, Arizona (below).

“Bloom Where You’re Planted,” Surprise, Arizona [Photo: Brad Oldham Sculpture]

The Surprise sculpture has its own built-in surprises. The 20-foot-tall mirror-polished stainless steel saguaro cactus features colorful flower blooms that light up internally, reflecting the rhythms of the nearby Sonoran Desert and White Tank Mountains. Like many public artworks, it rewards closer viewing: Inside the cactus’ backside is a “lost-wax cast bronze woman” cupping her hand to her ear, ready to hear something mysterious. Maybe your own whispers? The rustling desert winds? The answer requires your participation—and your engaged imagination.

Known for The Traveling Man series in Dallas

Christy Coltrin (left) and Brad Oldham [Photo: Brad Oldham Sculpture]

Oldham and Coltrin’s installations range from whimsical characters to monumental structures, but they’re always grounded in public engagement and a sense of place. The artists may be best known locally for The Traveling Man series in Dallas, the not-so-bookish Richardson Library Bird, and the “Game of Thrones”-esque Fury in Southlake.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by CODAworx as one of the top public artists in the country,” Oldham said in a statement. “This ranking is a testament to the hard work and creativity of our entire team. Our goal has always been to create art that not only beautifies public spaces but also fosters a connection between people and their environments.”

“The Traveling Man—Walking Tall,” Deep Ellum [Photo: Michael Samples]

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Brad Oldham Sculpture says it aims to push the boundaries of public art with “projects that captivate and inspire,” with a mission of “transforming spaces and enhancing communities through the power of art.” “Our favorite part of installing a public-art sculpture is the unexpected way it resonates within the community,” Coltrin said. “Because art is a shared experience, each piece is completed by what the individual viewer brings to the experience.”

Now polishing up a $2M project in OK City

The Brad Oldham Sculpture team is currently installing a $2 million sculpture collection at the OAK mixed-used development in Oklahoma City. That project features polished stainless-steel clouds supported by a set of trees made from steel and bronze and a cowboy roping an errant cloud from the second story hotel balcony, the team said. The project will be dedicated in September, timed with the opening of The Lively Hotel, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

Wherever they leave their mark, the sculpture team seems to leave a chain of experiences behind.

“Fury,” Southlake [Photo: Brad Oldham Sculpture]

“The Bloom Where You’re Planted art piece created by Brad Oldham Sculpture is an example of not only the beauty of art, but also the way it can highlight a sense of place,” Julie Akerly, arts manager for the city of Surprise, Arizona, said in a statement. “The Arizona desert saguaro cactus represents our geography and the bronze image of our City’s founder within the cactus pays tribute to our history. It all comes together in a very magical way that invites curiosity, interaction, and imagination.”

Public art’s $4.4 billion economic impact in 2023

According to research by CODAworx, the public art industry contributed more than $4.4 billion to the economy in 2023 alone. Per the study:

Public artists earned approximately $1.7 billion in public commissions last year.
The average public art commission fee was $380,000.
Artists spend 70-90% of public art commissions on collaborators and sub-contractors such as fabricators, engineering firms, lighting, logistics and technology companies.

“The valuation of the public art industry is eye-opening,” Toni Sikes, CEO of CODAworx, said in a statement. “The data underscores the economic significance of public art. We’re excited to give readers a peek under the cover of this invisible economy—which is actually a flourishing ecosystem of creative magicians.”