Suddenly Dragons is a public art adventure funded by the City of Arlington’s Public Art Program (10% of new construction tax goes to funding art), new in 2019.
“Dragons are a gateway between the natural world and our imagination,” said artist Monica Bretherton, “That’s obviously a significant relationship, because we have been creating art about them for at least ten thousand years.”
Dragons connect to us instantly through time and space – so when you see prehistoric rock art from the Central Asian steppes, you may not know the exact significance of the dragon in that culture, but you will feel that little thrill of recognition.
So while the dragons you can find around Arlington for the month of August, 2020 are made by different artists, you will probably know them when you see them. And if not, each one has a sign with a link to its own page that will tell you more.
There are wind dragons along Centennial Trail.
There are hidden dragons in the windows of local businesses, or on the fence in one case.
There are dragons who have flown in from all over to visit Arlington.
And if you are lucky, you will get to see the chalk dragon on the sidewalk at Legion Park. But if it gets rubbed out before you do, don’t worry, we have lots of pictures.
The dragon on the prow of a Viking ship looks curiously similar to the dragon on the head of a Mongolian Shaman’s staff (the inspiration for the poster above). Why is that, you can’t help but wonder. Even as we reach with our imagination, our dragons draw on common patterns and traditions.