TXK on Display
Imagine if you could maximize the aesthetics and pride on Stateline Avenue with public art. That is exactly the question posed to five community members participating in the 2024-2025 Leadership Texarkana Class. Ignited by the opportunity, this group, who had never met before, generated a generous amount of spirited discussion and several ideas, which, looking back, were actually quite comical. Before long, the catchy phrase "TXK on Display" was adopted as the official group name, and ideas started flowing. Not all of them were winners or well-thought-out, but that’s part of the creative process, right? Ideas ranged from a "Chalk the Line" concept that involved rotating various chalk artwork in a designated space downtown to creating a 501(c)(3) coalition that provided Stateline businesses with resources and a network to invest in integrating public art into their exteriors.
Then, a reality check: A very intuitive team member chimed in and said, in no uncertain terms, that “we would be best served not creating more work than we needed to by taking on such additional responsibility.” The group agreed that it would be the most fun to create something through the nine-month Leadership Texarkana Strategic Doing Process that we could snap a picture with our families in front of.
Cue the fantastic and far more reasonable suggestion of highlighting local manufacturing in Texarkana through a metal art piece. As with all great ideas, everything started falling into place. The Cities of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Texas provided a list of potential locations. Texarkana College Workforce Programs agreed to create and install the artwork through their welding and construction programs. Smith-Blair’s welding department provided materials and the use of their CNC machine for manufacturing metal lettering. Leadership Texarkana’s Ruth Ellen connected the group with Rob Sitterley of AR-TX REDI. Everyone got into a room together and came up with an 8-foot by 12-foot red iron design that spelled out “TXK: A Proud Region of American Builders.”
Michael Bennett and Michael Lee of Texarkana College Workforce Programs stepped up to the plate to deliver a home run with their welding and construction students. Over the course of the spring semester, nine welding students worked diligently to weld the letters for the project, and eleven construction students poured the concrete for the pad and installed the artwork on site. Click here to watch the process in action.
On April 15, 2025, the artwork was installed on Stateline Avenue between Magnolia and 13th Streets at an event attended by the students and instructors, city leaders, prominent area manufacturers, and Texarkana College leadership. The event culminated with attendees snapping pictures with teammates, colleagues, and families—goal achieved.
Students and staff of Texarkana College gather in front of the newly installed TXK on Display welded art piece on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Click the image above to watch the process in action.
It’s incredible what can be achieved when a few people come together for a common cause. Throughout the Leadership Texarkana flagship class, participants learn about and use “Strategic Doing.” It involves listening with intent, there are no “no’s,” everyone at the table is responsible for an individual resource, and, most importantly, action is required at every meeting.
This Strategic Doing Project Group consisted of Ashley Boyles, KBB Consulting, LLC; Dr. Brandy Eldridge, The Assembly Line; Brandon Haynes, Graphic Packaging International, LLC; Cole Law, Edward Jones; Heather Lybrand, Wholesale Electric Supply Co., Inc.; and Carol Trumble, Mayo Furniture and Bedding. Nothing would make the group happier than members of the community passing by this permanent eight-foot by 12-foot iron structure on Stateline Avenue between Magnolia and 13th Streets to celebrate Texarkana USA’s significant manufacturing capacity by taking a picture.
