ROCKPORT, Texas (Sept. 27, 2021) — As construction continues on the new $8.7M Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) campus, RCA continues its effort to enhance downtown Rockport with public art.
On Thursday, Oct. 7, Austin Street Red, a large, abstract steel sculpture by Clyde, Texas-based sculptor Nic Noblique, will be installed from 10–11 a.m. in front of the Baker Law Building in downtown Rockport.
Measuring 96” tall with a base 30” in diameter and powder coated in fiery “Bengal Red,” the piece was recently donated to the Rockport Center for the Arts by an anonymous donor who acquired it directly from the artist. Austin Street Red will be elevated on a cylindrical shaped concrete base designed and poured by Rockport builder Al Johnson, and pinned to the concrete base using marine-grade steel bolts.
“This installation is part of RCA’s ongoing plan to further beautify downtown by working with individual businesses to develop locations for public art exhibitions,” said Luis Purón, RCA executive director. “The facade of the iridescent blue Baker Law Building will provide a stunning canvas for the red sculpture, which will be located in a flower bed facing South Austin Street. We are thankful to Baker Law for taking this sculpture into long-term loan for the public’s enjoyment.”
Austin Street Red is the second RCA sculpture on loan in downtown Rockport, part of the effort to connect all of South Austin Street with public sculpture displays, from the southernmost block to the new RCA campus located at South Austin and North Street. Two other South Austin Street locations already showcase Noblique sculptures; LATITUDE 28°02' Restaurant and Art Gallery, and the Rockport Daily Grind coffee shop, featuring The Spirit of Rockport, which was the first downtown sculpture on loan from RCA.
Two additional sculptures are also on loan in other parts of the state; one at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum in Austin, and another with the Tres Centurias Foundation at Mahncke Park in San Antonio, both of which will be returned for installation in RCA Sculpture Garden once construction of the new art campus is completed in 2022.
Growing up immersed in the punk rock, skateboard and snowboard culture of the Midwest, sculptor Nic Noblique is a snowboarding veteran of the first Winter X Games (1997), who went on to successfully pursue his passion for art and design, leading to more than two decades of notable achievements, installations, competitions and exhibitions.
Beyond designing and building indoor and outdoor skate and snow parks, Noblique has found great success in the arts, creating sculpture that is graceful, ethereal and soft despite coming from rough, cold, rigid steel, and using color to excite and further engage the viewer and surroundings, and to elicit a physical reaction. He has participated in many sculpture competitions, solo and group exhibitions with respected galleries and art centers nationally. Working with numerous charities and arts initiatives to improve communities and lives through art, Noblique also teaches graduate level 3-D art at Hardin Simmons University (Belton, Texas) and works to cultivate new talent via apprenticeships through McMurry University (Abilene, Texas).