Arlington is marking its 150th anniversary with a public artwork designed to last beyond the celebrations. The city commissioned Touched by Time, a glass sculpture with an interactive sundial, for Founders Plaza in Downtown Arlington. The installation is planned for later in 2026, but the city has not confirmed an exact opening date.

What Will “Touched by Time” Look Like?

The approved concept includes a tall cylindrical column made of 150 layers of glass, one for each year of Arlington’s history. A working sundial is designed to encourage people to interact with the piece and notice how sunlight and the seasons change what they see.

This is a proposed design, not a completed monument. The city has published a concept rendering, and the finished installation may differ. Official descriptions do not establish that the sundial will list individual historical events, so that detail should not be treated as confirmed.

An Arlington Artist Behind the Work

The city commissioned Justin Ginsberg Studios LLC to create the sculpture. Justin Ginsberg is an associate professor of art and art history at the University of Texas at Arlington. His glass work has been recognized beyond North Texas and is represented in museum collections in Germany, Seattle and New Jersey.

For Arlington residents, the UTA connection is especially meaningful. A local university artist is contributing to a public place that neighbors, students and visitors can enjoy without buying a ticket.

Where the Sculpture Is Planned

The city says the artwork will be located at the northwest corner of the Levitt Pavilion and Founders Plaza in the Downtown Arlington Cultural District. That places it near the downtown gathering spaces that already host concerts and community events.

The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation is funding the commission as part of its support for the city’s 150th anniversary. City Council authorized a contract with Ginsberg’s studio for design and fabrication, with a maximum amount of $264,800. The Arlington Park and Recreation Board and a committee of local residents and arts stakeholders supported the concept.

When Can Residents See It?

The city announced in April 2026 that installation was expected later in the year and included the sculpture in its August overview of planned public art. Those announcements do not confirm a December 21 unveiling or that the work has already been installed. Before making a special trip, check the city’s original project announcement and the public-art update for any newer installation information.

The planned sculpture gives Arlington another way to connect its downtown, its university and its history. Once installation is confirmed, Touched by Time may offer a quiet place to explore how the city has changed over 150 years.