Client: Jeff Medici, Medici Development Partners

Overview

With a 41-foot wingspan, pointy horns, and an impenetrable 8-ton stainless steel body, this dragon isn’t cuddly, and it is entirely at home in Southlake, Texas. Community pride reaches a fever pitch for its high school sports in this Dallas Fort Worth suburb that brings to mind the television series “Friday Night Lights” when describing the Southlake Carroll Dragons pride.

Real estate developer Jeff Medici commissioned the dragon sculpture, Fury, to serve as a visual and community anchor for his mixed-use development in Southlake. Standing at 27 feet tall, the mirror-polished stainless steel dragon on a volcanic-rock-like steel and concrete perch captures the attention of more than 150,000 daily drivers on nearby Highway 114. Surrounded by retail, restaurants, hotel, and office space, Kimball Park’s ambiance was transformed with Fury—a timeless, fierce icon at a monumental scale. A beacon of local pride, Fury draws in residents and visitors alike.

Goals

Fury was created to embody the fierce, protective spirit of the Southlake community. Unlike logos and team identities, the sculpture needed to be timeless. Its impressive scale inspires awe, while the material reflects ambient light and colors throughout the day and year, creating a dynamic visual experience. The artists aimed to balance intimidation with a welcoming presence, ensuring contemporary relevance with historical mystique. Additional goals were to create a community-oriented landmark and tradition while honoring our client’s personal and professional legacy.

Process

Jeff Medici is from a well-known Italian family with a rich history in art, finance, and construction, that also includes four Popes and two queens of France. When he moved his family and business to Southlake, he wanted to share his appreciation for the arts with a significant community commission. His passion for business, arts, and sports, combined with his active involvement in the community, led to the creation of Fury. Collaborating closely with the artists, Medici’s vision for the dragon was inspired by its powerful role in medieval art and literature, reflecting both his family’s heritage and the beloved Southlake icon that fosters community spirit and rallies teams to victory.

Additional Information

For the artists, Fury is a success when students, families, and visitors make a tradition of having their picture made with the monumental dragon sculpture. Fury becomes a measure of growth and a cherished backdrop for annual visits and school reunions, embodying the spirit and pride of their hometown.