Giant Neon Pink Arrow

Final Nasher Xchange sculpture boldly gets to the point at Dallas City Hall

Several of the pieces in Nasher Sculpture Center's upcoming Xchange program have proclaimed to honor Dallas' art history in oblique ways. The 10th and final project, a sculpture from New York-based artist Rachel Harrison, will take a much bolder approach.

Harrison's sculpture, Moore to the point, will be a giant, 25-foot neon pink arrow installed next to Henry Moore's The Dallas Piece in front of Dallas City Hall. Harrison came up with the idea when she visited the site and found Moore's sculpture surrounded by metal barricades, preventing anyone from experiencing it as it should be.

Rachel Harrison's piece will be an obvious invitation for visitors to interact with a piece of Dallas history they likely never gave a second thought.

Moore's sculpture consists of three separate large metal pieces, all curves and undulations that contrast starkly with the angular I.M. Pei-designed City Hall. It was at Harrison's request that the barricades, which had been up for a long period, were removed.

Harrison's pink arrow not only will point at Moore's piece, but it will also be put at an angle that complements the tilt of City Hall. It will be an obvious invitation for visitors to interact with a piece of Dallas history they likely never gave a second thought.

Its placement is also appropriate for the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, as City Hall itself, which opened in 1978, was an attempt by the city to change how people saw Dallas following the tragedy.

This sculpture marks Harrison’s first ever public art commission. She's previously been known for working with consumer products and found objects alongside abstract forms she creates by hand to create combinations of seemingly incongruous things.

The other nine Xchange projects — including those from Ruben Ochoa, Rick Lowe, Ugo Rondinone, Liz Larner, Alfredo Jaar, the Good/Bad Art Collective, Vicki Meek, Charles Long and Lara Almarcegui — will be spread around the city. It only makes sense that the final one will live at the heart of Dallas.

Rendering of Rachel Harrison's sculpture for the Nasher Xchange program, Moore to the point, which will bring attention to Henry Moore's The Dallas Piece in front of Dallas City Hall.

Rachel Harrison's Nasher Xchange sculpture

Photo courtesy of Nasher Sculpture Center

Rendering of Rachel Harrison's sculpture for the Nasher Xchange program, Moore to the point, which will bring attention to Henry Moore's The Dallas Piece in front of Dallas City Hall.

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Hiring News

Addison hires arts veteran as manager of performing arts center

Photo courtesy of Town of Addison

It's time to change the signs.

The Town of Addison has named a new leader for its performing arts center, the building formerly known as the Addison Conference and Theatre Centre.

It's now called The Addison Performing Arts Centre and the new manager is Nichole Belford, who "brings to Addison a wealth of experience and accomplishments with the arts around programming, policies, and advocacy," says a release.

Belford most recently served as senior manager of external relations for the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission for three years, but she's a familiar local name: Prior to working in St. Louis, she spent more than 20 years in the DFW arts, entertainment, and sports scenes.

She helped open institutions such as the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall, the American Airlines Center, and the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts. She has managed more than 5,000 events and spearheaded branding initiatives for tourism.

Belford earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Texas Wesleyan University and later obtained a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Texas at Dallas.

“With Nichole’s extensive knowledge and experience in administration, event management, and public policy, we’re excited for her to help lead The Addison Performing Arts Centre into its next phase of activation,” says Addison's special events and theater director Abby Morales in a statement.

Belford grew up in a military family, born in Sögel, Germany, where she spent her early years before moving to the United States. A sports enthusiast who loves the U.S. Olympic teams, she serves as a judge for U.S. Figure Skating. One of her recent accomplishments was helping the St. Louis Sports Commission secure the bid to host the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Olympic Trials.

“I can’t wait to bring new excitement to The Addison, in terms of both the type of productions we bring to the theater and the top-tier service I expect the Addison Performing Arts Centre to provide,” Belford says.

The public has the chance to meet Belford and other staff of The Addison at a show & share event from 4 to 6 pm February 13, which coincides with the opening night of Phantom: In Concert. Guests will have the opportunity to see the front-of-house spaces in the facility and the Atelier outdoor courtyard space, as well as hear remarks by Addison Mayor Bruce Arfsten. To RSVP, email specialeventsinfo@addisontx.gov.

In September 2024, WaterTower Theatre cited a new budget plan from the Town of Addison for its drastically scaled-down usage of the building, which it had inhabited for many years. WTT recently formed a partnership with the Dallas College Brookhaven Campus to use its theater for summer musicals.

Photo courtesy of Town of Addison

It's time to change the signs.

addison addison performing arts centre theater