Photo by Victoria Hernandez.
The Kessler Theater Artistic Director Jeffrey Liles is now immortalized with a bronze bust honoring his four decades of contributions to the Dallas music scene.
Commissioned by Oak Cliff native and singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, the custom piece was recently installed in the courtyard space of the Kessler Theater to pay tribute to his legacy.
Liles said it’s not just his legacy.
“It’s very much a shared legacy with her,” he said of Brickell. “I mean, I’ve known her 40 years … I mean, she is one of these people who never forgets where she came from, and I think as we’ve gotten older, she just really wants to recognize that, wants to recognize where we all came from.”
Artist Louie Zakarin, who was head of the Saturday Night Live makeup department for nearly 30 years, sculpted the bust. The piece was then cast utilizing Zakarian’s 3D file by the artisans of Pyrology Foundry in Bastrop, Texas.
The courtyard location for the installation was donated by Kessler Theater owner Edwin Cabaniss, with the custom fountain that the bust sits on designed by Brickell’s longtime friend, Heather Ezell.
“I think as far as Dallas goes, that the Kessler is still kind of her home away from home when it comes to live performances,” Liles said. “She was born in Methodist, which is less than a mile away. And I think she just has emotional connection to North Oak Cliff and The Kessler in particular.”
A commemorative plaque is also included, featuring lyrics from “Buffalo Ghost” by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Liles noted that Brickell knows that it is his favorite song of theirs.
“I know she did this bust of me or whatever, but I think it’s kind of a give back to the whole community,” he said.
A dedication ceremony is planned for sometime this fall, but visitors are encouraged to view the piece now. Brickell will also be back at the Kessler Theater performing with the new group World Famous Pets on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Correction/Clarification: The story previously stated that the bust sits beside the fountain. The fountain serves as the foundation that the bust sits on, not something beside it.
