Sammie the Pegasus

If you’ve ever visited the Sammons Center, you may have noticed a particularly unique Pegasus statue in the front lobby. It is a striking piece of artwork; complete with a myriad of colors that stand out against backdrop of the brick walls. If you’ve ever wondered about who he is or how he got here, let us tell you a bit about our beloved Sammie the Pegasus.

In 2001, the Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, in partnership with Interep, launched the “Dallas Soars!” campaign, which aimed to foster collaboration between the city’s artists, local businesses, and supporters of the arts. Inspired by the iconic illuminated beacon of the Pegasus sculpture that once adorned what used to be the Magnolia Building, over 100 local artists put their skillful hands together to create an equal number of Pegasus-inspired pieces of art. After being unveiled at the Dallas Museum of Art, they were then spread throughout the city to places of note; from high schools to hospitals to offices of well-established companies. Our dear Sammie was originally sponsored by DDB Needham of Dallas, a highly ranked, worldwide advertising agency but after a few years, they moved offices and forced Sammie to find a new home. Thus, he flapped his wings expeditiously and landed swiftly into the lobby of our wonderful center.

Over the years, Sammie has developed his own story; influenced by the activities that take place at Sammons. He loves to dance, especially on the weekends when groups like Bandan Koro and the Dallas Swing Dance Society come to practice. Together with his two friends, Geri the Gerbil and Parker the Pelican, he spends his time admiring the talents of the many artists that come through our doors, wishing them the best of luck in their creative endeavors.