New Public Art Installation in Denton Showcases Local Wildlife and Riparian Setting

Denton, TX, May 23, 2024 – Denton Parks and Recreation has recently installed a striking new public art piece by Michigan-based artist Robert Barnum. The sculpture, titled “Deer Moon,” is prominently displayed on South Bonnie Brae Street, just north of Vintage Boulevard in Southwest Denton.

Commissioned to reflect the city’s natural environment, “Deer Moon” features a blend of native Texas flora and fauna. Crafted from COR-TEN steel and aluminum, the sculpture includes a standing buck, a flying hawk, and a full moon, all set against a large tree structure rendered in the earthy, variegated shades characteristic of weathering steel.

Barnum’s creation process involved a collaboration with student welders from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, renowned for its Welding Engineering Technology (WET) Department. This partnership leveraged the department’s advanced welding technology, transforming Barnum’s initial sketches into intricate designs, subsequently digitized for CNC plasma cutting machines at the university’s WET laboratory.

The artist, known for his “Metal Murals,” emphasizes the scientific intricacies involved in creating such sculptures. He describes the welding process as operating at temperatures exceeding 9000 degrees Fahrenheit, causing the metal molecules to behave in dynamic, transformative ways.

Despite facing challenges such as harsh Michigan winters, with equipment often immobilized by snow and ice, Barnum and his team persevered. They frequently dealt with power outages and equipment malfunctions, which necessitated continuous adjustments to their CNC computers.

The final installation of “Deer Moon” took place on May 21, 2024, with Barnum and an assistant carefully positioning the sculpture at its new home in Denton. This artwork not only enhances the city’s aesthetic appeal but also serves as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity involved in its creation.