Seaholm Power Plant Signage, (sculpture).

Seaholm Power Plant Signage, (sculpture).

Odom, J. M., contractor.

Burns & McDonnell, engineering firm.

Brown & Root, contractor.

Seaholm Power Plant Signage, (sculpture).

East signage dedicated 1951. West signage dedicated 1954-1955.

Digital Reference:

Signs: aluminum and steel.

2 signs. East sign: approx. 10 ft. x 9 ft. x 1 in.; West sign: approx. 10 ft. x 9 ft. x 1/16 in.

Two large signs mark the east and west entrances to the Seaholm Power Plant. The west sign, made of sheet aluminum, reads "CITY/OF/AUSTIN" and beneath that, "LIGHT." The word "LIGHT" is set out over the door and screwed to a channel steel frame. The east sign has fabricated aluminum letters with more depth, and reads "CITY/OF/AUSTIN" and beneath that, "POWER." Worked into the design of both signs is a large jagged lightning bolt, narrowing to a point as it goes from bottom to top at an approximately 45 degree angle.

Landscape -- Weather -- Lightning

Outdoor Sculpture -- Texas -- Austin

Architectural component

Administered by City of Austin, Parks & Recreation Department, Art in Public Places Program, 1110 Barton Springs Road, Suite 203, Dougherty Arts Center, Austin, Texas 78704

Located Seaholm Power Plant, 800 West Cesar Chavez, On facade, Austin, Texas

Former Director of the Electric Utilities Department, J. C. Blankenship, came up with the concept of the lightning bolt logo for the signage. The Seaholm Power Plant was originally dedicated in 1951. An addition, which includes the west entrance and signage, was dedicated around 1954 to 1955. Structure contractor for the original building was J. M. Odom. Consulting engineers for the original building and the addition were Burns & McDonnell of Kansas City, Missouri. Contractor for the addition was the firm of Brown & Root.

IAS files contain 1951 elevation drawing for east entrance sign.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Texas, Austin survey, 1993.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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