Abilene Reporter News"The Abilene City Council approved the donation of the bronze sculpture at its regular meeting Thursday. The replica of a character from the book "How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?" will be placed on the lawn of the Abilene Civic Center.
The sculpture, crafted by Steve Neves, will be unveiled on the first evening of the 2016 Children's Art & Literacy Festival on June 9. Mark Teague, who illustrated the book, is the featured artist at this year's festival.
But the Good Night Dinosaur won't be alone for long. The council also authorized the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council to use the southeast lawn of the Civic Center as a permanent sculpture garden, similar to that in Everman Park.
The sculptures at the Civic Center will highlight the work of Garth Williams, who illustrated classics such as "Charlotte's Web" and "Stuart Little." Williams will be honored at the 2017 Children's Art & Literacy Festival.
Lesli Andrews, community services director, said the Williams family is planning to attend next year's festival.
Proposed sculptures include Charlotte and Wilbur from "Charlotte's Web," Stuart Little, and vignettes from "The Three Little Pigs," "The Three Little Bears," and "The Three Little Kittens." The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council could open the lawn up to other sculptures, as well.
The hope is to fill at least half the lawn with Williams' figures and leave the other half for future installments, said Lynn Barnett, executive director of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council.
In 2015, the Legislature designated Abilene as the Storybook Capital of Texas because of efforts like these, Andrews said.
Additionally, council members approved a contract with Hasen Design Build & Development, a Fort Worth company, to design and build the new fire maintenance facility. The project is part of the $80.7 million bond issue voters approved last May.
The facility will be located off Navajo Circle near the airport on city property. The contract will not exceed $2 million."