Some of the best examples of the Art Deco works created for the are the statues of women you'll see as you make your way through the fairgrounds.
We know it's hard, but before you go rushing off to buy your first corny dog, take some time to really look around and notice the art that made Fair Park...well, Fair Park. I spoke with author and Texas history scholar, to learn more about the statues. Butler has done extensive research on Fair Park and frequently gives tours of the fairgrounds.
Look for these "Fair Ladies" as you enter the front gates and on your walk up the Esplanade.
FOUNDERS' STATUE
The statue of a young woman in a long flowing dress sits just inside the front gates in the grassy area on the right. If you鈥檙e not looking, you鈥檒l walk right past her. She鈥檚 hiding behind a tall police stand.
The Founders鈥� Statue was designed by and sculpted by Jose Martin. The two Frenchmen were among the many artists who transformed Fair Park into an Art Deco wonderland for the 1936 Centennial.
She was created as a tribute to the fair presidents from 1886 to 1938 who made those first fairs in Dallas a reality. And she also honors the press for its role in supporting and publicizing the annual event.
She was meant to be unveiled at the 50th anniversary of the fair in 1936, but that date coincided with the Texas Centennial Exposition鈥搕he 100th anniversary of Texas鈥檚 independence from Mexico. Because of the hubbub surrounding the Centennial celebration and the a year later, the statue鈥檚 dedication was postponed to October 8, 1938.
One more little tidbit about this lady鈥搘hen she was dedicated in 1938 she was also made into a time capsule of sorts. Headlines from 300 newspapers were put in a crypt at the base of the statue with plans to open it 50 years later on October 8, 1988.
Unfortunately, things didn鈥檛 go as planned.
鈥淚n 1988, whoever was in charge of the reopening, opened the crypt a little early, just to double check,鈥� said Butler. 鈥淎nd they found a mass of crumbling newspapers that had turned to dust. They were going to have a rededication ceremony and I heard that it got canceled on that account because the newspapers were no good.鈥�
SPIRIT OF THE CENTENNIAL
This statue is the centerpiece for the Women鈥檚 Museum Building, which is located on the left just after you enter the front gates.
The twenty-foot statue of a nude woman was inspired by 鈥檚 The Birth of Venus, and like the Founders Statue, she was also designed by Raoul Josset and sculpted by Jose Martin.
Butler points out a minor inconsistency in the work.
鈥淚t features a girl standing on a Saguaro cactus and that鈥檚 interesting because Saguaro cactuses aren鈥檛 found in Texas. Raoul Josset, being from France, probably didn鈥檛 know that. He probably thought, 鈥榃ell, a cactus is a cactus.鈥� He didn鈥檛 realize they don鈥檛 grow in Texas.鈥�
Saguaro cactuses might not be native to Texas, but the model who posed for the statue definitely was. grew up in East Dallas and was a 1937 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School.
In case you were doing the math, Carroll was still a teenager when the statue was created.
鈥淚n an interview she did years later she said being only 16 at the time, she only posed for the head,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not known who posed for the body."
THE SIX LADIES OF TEXAS
Take a walk up the Esplanade and outside the Centennial Building and the Automobile Building you鈥檒l see six 20-foot concrete statues of women. Because of their size, you really can鈥檛 miss them, but maybe it鈥檚 never clicked that each of these ladies represents one of the six flags of Texas.
Outside the Centennial Building is Spain, Confederacy, and Texas. These statues were created by American sculptor,
On the opposite side of the Esplanade in front of the Automobile Building, sit France, Mexico, and United States. They were made by the French-born American sculptor.
At first glance, the ladies resemble one another, but if you look closer you can see subtle differences that reveal each artist鈥檚 style. Josset鈥檚 statues have curls, curvy figures and appear more, well鈥rench. Steven鈥檚 statues have a more block-like Art Deco appearance.
The ladies all feature elements unique to their respective flags. Spain has a mantilla and carries castanets, Confederacy wears a crown with seven stars that represents the first seven states that seceded from the Union, and France holds grapes which is a nod to the country鈥檚 wine industry.
All of the statues were created from the artists鈥� imaginations save one. Helen Ramsey, a 16-year-old Centennial goodwill ambassador, posed for Stevens鈥� statue, Texas.
CONTRALTO
Down at the end of the Esplanade overlooking the reflecting pool you鈥檒l find the silver-finished bronze Contralto and her male counterpart, Tenor.
Unlike the other statues on the fairgrounds, Contralto seems to be without symbolism, a link to Texas history or even a backstory. Some speculate the two statues could have served as markers for the musical performances that took place in the plaza near the Hall of State during the Centennial in 1936.
The figures in place now are not the originals. Their story is similar to that of the Woofus鈥攖he quirky composite animal that sits near the swine barn. Contralto and Tenor were created by Lawrence Tenney Stevens, and like the Woofus, after the run of the Centennial they were taken down and mysteriously disappeared.
Thanks to a bond package, sculptor was able to recreate the pair through photographs of the originals. In 2009 Contralto and Tenor were reinstalled to their former place of glory.
It goes without saying that you can see these ladies during the State Fair of Texas, but it鈥檚 also fun to visit Fair Park during the off season. You鈥檒l be able to get a better look without being rushed or distracted by a corny dog
The State Fair of Texas runs through Oct. 19.
This story first appeared on artandseek.org
