Texas Christian University senior Caya Crum is bringing her distinctive style to an even larger audience.

Crum, a studio art student, was selected to participate in a FIFA World Cup-themed public art installation in Sundance Square, transforming one of the oversized soccer balls displayed downtown into a celebration of Fort Worth culture and identity. Invited by Sundance Square Arts, Crum created a piece inspired by the history, character and mythology of Fort Worth.

Developing the Design
“I wanted my soccer ball to reflect a lot of the artwork I make in my own practice,” Crum said. “There are many repeating elements such as smoking cowboys, smoking kitties, horses, desert scenes and chinoiserie motifs that I have used as subject matter previously. My soccer ball is titled ‘Welcome to Cowtown’ because it represents a lot of the lore and mystique surrounding Fort Worth.”

Before beginning the final piece, the College of Fine Arts student developed a series of digital mockups to explore different design directions. Once she settled on a concept, she sketched and painted each section of the soccer ball by hand before applying protective coatings to preserve the artwork for public display.

Sharing Fort Worth Culture
Seeing the finished piece installed in Sundance Square was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience for Crum.

“It was so cool to see the soccer ball transform once it was taken out of my studio space and into the public plaza,” Crum said. “Getting to see different people interact with it and tell me their thoughts about the piece in person during the showcase was a wonderful experience.”

As visitors from around the world travel to North Texas for FIFA-related events, Crum hopes her work offers a memorable introduction to the culture of Fort Worth and Texas.

“Knowing that people have been traveling from all over the world to get to be a part of the FIFA celebration means that a lot of visitors have been passing through Sundance Square who have never experienced Texas culture before,” she said. “I hope that I get to be a part of their Texas experience through my public exhibition of my soccer ball.”

Art for a Global Audience
Crum credits her time at TCU’s School of Art with helping prepare her for opportunities like this one. Through studio coursework and hands-on problem-solving, she learned to adapt when projects do not go as planned and to embrace experimentation as part of the creative process.

“Figuring things out through trial and error helped me a lot with the painting process,” Crum said. “When certain materials weren’t acting the way I wanted or planned originally, I went back to the drawing board and tried again.”

After creating the artwork for TCU’s 2024 Homecoming celebration, this project represents opportunity to share her artistic voice beyond campus while contributing to a public celebration that connects local culture with a global audience.

-McKenzie Campbell