All Aboard: Temple Art Trains highlight history, art in downtown area
Story and photos by BRANDY CRUZ
While taking a stroll through Temple’s beautiful downtown area, you may notice some cute little trains in front of local businesses — painted as little works of art chugging their way around the city.
“The Temple Art Train Project enriches downtown Temple by integrating public art into pedestrian-focused areas, garnering enthusiastic support from the community,” Nohely Mackowiak, Communications and Public Relations Division Director for the City of Temple, said.
You may already know that Temple was originally founded as a railroad town and home to the Santa Fe Railway’s employee hospital. The city has embraced its historical roots for years, but in 2018, they decided to incorporate the railways into the Temple Art Train Project, showcasing miniature replicas of vintage steam engines.
“The inaugural phase of the project involved the creation of the first four trains. Presently, we are advancing through the third phase of the project,” Mackowiak said. “The realization of this project was made possible through the generous support of key entities, including the Texas Downtown Association, the Communities Foundation of Texas, and, notably, the Anice Read Fund.”
There are currently eight art trains located throughout the downtown area, featuring murals painted by local artists. Each train’s mural tells a different story. Although most of them are painted by local artists, they can also be painted by the business, but designs need to be pre-approved by the Art Train Review Committee.
Mackowiak said there are two trains forthcoming. The MRB Group and the Central Texas Housing Coalition, both located on West Calhoun Avenue. Artist Kurt Ritterpusch will paint the train at the CTHC, while the MRB Group will be painting their train themselves.
The communications director said the first four trains were funded by a grant provided the Anice Read Fund, which is dedicated to the memory of Anice Read, one of the Texas Downtown Association founders. Established in 1999, the Anice Read Fund commemorates her impactful legacy and her dedication to Texas downtowns. Grants from this fund are utilized for various purposes, including physical projects, professional development, program enhancements, and staff development.
The cost of each train is $1,595. Mackowiak said if a business would like to sponsor an art train, they should contact Kaitlyn Neal, the Downtown Coordinator, at kneal@templetx.gov.
If you want to take a leisurely 1.4 mile walk around downtown to see all the trains up close and personal, here’s our recommendation.
Begin your walk at the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum with the “Spirit of Santa Fe,” painted by Miranda Maloy. The train is located in the front, on the northeast corner of the museum.
From there, head east on West Avenue B and stop at the corner of Avenue B and First Street to see “Viva La Raza,” painted by Miranda Maloy.
The third train, “Circa de Gato is Taken for a Ride,” by artists Linda Lapierre, Traci Winter and Azeita Taylor, is at the corner of Second Street and Avenue A. “Re-Train Your Mind,” painted by Jay Rivera, is at the Courtyard on Main Street.
The next train, located in front of Precious Memories on Second Street, is called “The History of the Precious Memories Building,” by Susan Groveunder.
Then head one block over to see “A Wish for the World” by Melanie Hudson at the intersection of Adams and Main.
The next one, and probably most seen, is “Next Stop: Children’s Museum” by Lee Evans, Valerie Fore, Susan Chandler, Elizabeth Evans, Kate Evans, Emma Fore, Lydia Huffines, Patrick Chandler and Owen Chandler. This one is located at the corner of Central Avenue and Third Street visible as soon as you hit downtown.
The last train is in front of the former FoxDog Café building at Seventh Street and Barton Avenue, titled “Wildflower Express” by artist Eddie Martinez. From there, it is a .3 mile walk to go back to the train station for your vehicle.
“These trains serve as symbols of Temple as a whole,” Mackowiak said, “and we are thrilled to continue showcasing the essence and spirit of our city through these captivating works of art.”
Temple Art Train Locations
No. 1 – Spirit of Santa Fe – 315 W. Avenue B
No. 2 – Viva La Raza – 2 W. Avenue B
No. 3 – Circa de Gato is Taken for a Ride – 20 E. Avenue A
No. 4 – Re-Train Your Mind – 8 S. Main St.
No. 5 – The History of the Precious Memories Building – 12 N. Second St.
No. 6 – A Wish for the World – 100 Main St.
No. 7 – Next Stop: Children’s Museum – 119 W. Central Ave.
No. 8 – Wildflower Express – 209 N. Seventh St.
