In a nod to local culture and history, Fort Worth's Lake Como neighborhood is presently enjoying a spot under the international spotlight. "Do Something Good For Your Neighbor," a sculptural plaza designed with community spirit at its core, has been scooped up to feature in the prestigious "PORCH: An Architecture of Generacy" exhibition in Venice, Italy, this summer. The exhibition, a product of the U.S. State Department's commission, is a concerted effort by the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, DesignConnects, and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to showcase exemplary projects that resonate with community generosity, as per the City of Fort Worth.
Design enthusiasts and community members who wish to take a gander at the sculptural plaza need only venture to 3401 Lake Como Drive, thanks to the funding from the 2004 Bond Program. The artwork, dedicated on December 4, 2021, pays tribute to two pivotal figures in the community's history: William H. Wilburn Sr., a fundamental community leader and editor of The Lake Como Weekly, and Amon G. Carter Sr., who's the gift of land helped to establish Lake Como Park in the early '50s.
Visitors to the plaza can expect to find an intricate metal frame that artfully incorporates archival excerpts from The Lake Como Weekly and historically significant documents brought to life through cut-outs and engravings. As they gaze upwards, they'll find the names of Wilburn and Carter etched into the sky-bound triangular plates, a testament to the legacy they left behind. Two white oak benches carved by hand complete the installation, providing a space for quiet contemplation amidst the artistic nod to the area's natural beauty and communal memory.
But "Do Something Good For Your Neighbor" is more than just a singular stroke of commemorative artistry. As per the Lake Como Park Public Art Master Plan, it is but the first stroke in a broader canvas aiming to enhance the park experience. The plan proposes a series of aesthetic and functional enhancements aimed at bolstering the community's engagement with the park, all while paying homage to the rich cultural tapestry of the Como community's history.
