In mid-2023, the mayor’s office suggested elevating some of Shreveport’s water towers when the First lady of Shreveport, Mrs. Elizabeth Arceneaux, recommended a contest involving artists with a connection to Shreveport. The Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC) was brought in to discuss ideas. In March 2024, the mayor called for artists to give their own unique perspectives.

There were three water towers selected for this project. The St. Vincent Elevated Storage Tank was built in 1946µand is adjacent to I-49 near the Pierremont Road. Hollywood Ave. Exit 203, adjacent to the Caddo Heights Park. The West Shreveport Elevated Storage Tank was built in 1979µand is adjacent to I-20, west of US 80/LA 526 Industrial Loop Exit 8, next to Wonder Oasis Waterpark. The Linwood Elevated Storage Tank was built in 1994 and is adjacent to I-49, south of Bert Kouns Industrial Loop Exit 199 near Flournoy Lucas Rd.

The project will include structural repairs, painting and coating the tanks’ exterior and interior, electrical upgrades, disinfection system upgrades, and site restoration. The total duration of the efforts will be approximately three years, and the estimated cost is $7 million. The specific cost of the artwork is to be determined.

There were two artists selected for the highly anticipated project. The finalists were selected in May 2024 by a panel including the Mayor, First Lady, SRAC representatives, and the Director and Deputy Director of Shreveport’s Water and Sewer Department. Final selections were made on July 11, 2024.

Terri Rhodes White expressed her vision for St. Vincent and Linwood tanks in an official press release from the City of Shreveport: “When one wants to convey a message of ‘love’ or ‘welcome,’ a gift of flowers often comes to mind. The rounded top of a water tower resting on linear supports reminds me of a floral bouquet. My designs, ‘Celebrating All’ and ‘City on the Red,’ are straightforward: Three towers, three flowers. Shreveport deserves a statement piece, and a striking bouquet of flowers will convey a message of ‘welcome’ and ‘love’ for and from the city. My designs are simple, with limited color palettes and minimal flower variations, complemented by warm messages following the Shreveport signature.

“I feel very fortunate to have grown up in Shreveport. The rich history, the culture, the natural and man-made beauty—what wonderful childhood memories I have! Although there is a lot to love about the city, it is the neighborhoods full of beautiful old homes that I adore the most. As a child, I studied and drew my favorites while imagining what they must be like inside. Whenever I visit, my brother always drives me around so that I may continue to gaze in awe of them. I have no doubt that being surrounded by such grand structures inspired me to study interior design and architecture in college. Participating in this competition is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to a city that gave me so much. My design, ‘The Rose Tower,’ is inspired by Shreveport’s natural beauty, featuring the rose, the southern magnolia, and the Louisiana iris. A striking bouquet of flowers rising above the neighborhoods will undoubtedly convey a message of ‘welcome’ and ‘love’ for and from the city.”

The total project duration is three years, with construction at each site taking approximately six months. The staggered schedule ensures that only one tank is out of service at a time to maintain water pressure across the city. The detailed schedule is as follows:

St. Vincent Tank: Start in November 2024, exterior painting in early 2025. Linwood Tank: Start in Fall 2025, exterior painting in early 2026. West Shreveport Tank: Start in Fall 2026, exterior painting in early 2027