Putting Art into Action

Cities engage residents through public creative projects

by Brittni Johnsen, Florida League of Cities

More and more cities in Florida and throughout the country are realizing the power and potential of public art. Whether to engage the community, respond to current events, honor a holiday or celebrate a city’s history, public art is a multiuse tool for local governments – and an effective one, too.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, cities used art for everything from hosting entertaining activities and communitywide contests to sharing important information and providing financial relief. While some projects were launched in response to COVID-19, others were reimagined annual events and initiatives.

St. Augustine Beach’s Art in the Park featured free entertainment from the Lonesome Ride Band.

Photo courtesy of City of St. Augustine

The City of Cape Canaveral has been hosting the annual Cape Canaveral Student Art Show for more than two decades. Rather than canceling the event due to COVID-19, the City decided to take it online. Its 2021 showcase received more than 130 submissions from nearly a dozen schools featured in 3D galleries online. The artwork was divided into three galleries: kindergarten to sixth grade, seventh to 12th grade and a gallery that illustrated the theme of “resiliency.”

Screenshot of online 3D galleries featuring submissions for the City of Cape Canaveral's 2021 Virtual Student Art Show.

Photo courtesy of Cape Canaveral

With the City of Weston, the Arts Council of Greater Weston also hosted its annual art showcase virtually. The 2021 Virtual Student Artist Showcase featured more than 150 works of art. Eleven schools were represented in this year’s exhibit, and every grade from kindergarten through 12th grade participated. Teachers were asked to submit a maximum of 10 photos of their students’ artwork. Submissions included drawings, paintings, digital art, photography, sculptures and more.

The City of West Palm Beach’s Art in Public Places program launched “The Commons: 15 Artists, 15 Spaces,” a public art project that aimed to provide financial relief to local artists during the pandemic. “The project brings work to the local creative community, provides monetary relief during these challenging times and launches a new wave of public art in West Palm Beach,” the City shared. After issuing a “call for artists,” 15 artists were selected, and each received $6,000. The artwork was displayed in 15 public places.

Public art installation from West Palm Beach’s The Commons: 15 Artists, 15 Spaces project.

Photo courtesy of City of West Palm Beach

Another public art project that provided support during the pandemic was the Umbrella Art Project from the City of Clermont. Local nonprofits, schools and arts-and-crafts businesses were invited to transform a plain umbrella into art. Nearly 30 umbrellas were designed and submitted. The umbrellas were displayed at participating local businesses that made up the “Umbrella Art Project Trail.” Residents visited stops along the trail, took photos of their favorite umbrellas and submitted them to the City in exchange for a free T-shirt and the chance to win a $50 gift card.

The Umbrella Art Project brought together artists of all ages and abilities to create art displayed at businesses around Clermont.

Photo courtesy of City of Clermont

The City of Tampa used art during the pandemic to share important information with the community. The City’s Sidewalk Chalk Art Public Messaging Campaign featured short public safety announcements and positive messages in temporary spray chalk along sidewalks in high-traffic pedestrian areas. These messages included physical distancing reminders, words of encouragement and messages thanking local first responders and health professionals.

Tampa encouraged residents to stay safe during COVID-19 with creative sidewalk chalk messages such as this 6-foot gator.

Photo courtesy of City of Tampa

EVENTS

The use of art by Florida’s cities goes far beyond COVID-specific efforts. “Art in the Park,” a community art fair hosted by the City of St. Augustine Beach, displayed sculptures and original artwork throughout a city park. Residents were invited to stroll through the park among the unique artwork. Pottery, stained glass, jewelry and other artwork were also on display and available for purchase. The art fair also featured free musical entertainment. Admission to the event was free. The event was hosted with the City, the St. Johns Cultural Council, the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs and The Art Studio, a local business in St. Augustine Beach.

PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS AND INITIATIVES

Municipalities are also finding creative ways to incorporate art into their physical structures.

Earlier this year, the City of Orlando Downtown Development Board celebrated its 50th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the City of Orlando installed a sculpture outside the visitor center in the heart of downtown. The “DTO Sculpture,” which stands eight feet tall, is bright yellow and lights up, featuring the letters “DTO,” an abbreviation of “Downtown Orlando.” In addition to creating an iconic point of interest, the City says the public art installation also serves as a “selfieinducing moment.” Visitors take photos with the sculpture and share them on social media using hashtag #DTO50.

Orlando’s DTO Sculpture downtown stands 8 feet, lights up at night, creating the perfect photo op.

Photo courtesy of City of Orlando

The City of Tallahassee recently funded its Artful Infrastructure program. The program builds upon Art of the Box, a successful pilot program the City launched last year with the Knight Creative Communities Institute. Artful Infrastructure showcases artwork from local talent on traffic control boxes, and it also deters graffiti, which ultimately reduces maintenance costs.

Tallahassee’s Artful Infrastructure program uses the City’s traffic control boxes as art canvases for artists.

Photo courtesy of City of Tallahassee

Illuminate Coral Gables (ICG) is a first-of-its-kind art exhibition in downtown Coral Gables. Earlier this year, the exhibition launched from a collaboration between the City of Coral Gables and local partners including the Coral Gables Community Foundation, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Business Improvement District of Commerce Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Museum. Created for specific outdoor locations, this new public art initiative focused on the intentional use of light and technology to “transform public art by day into magical and mysterious works at night,” according to the City.

Illuminate Coral Gables featured artist Carlos Estevez’s Urban Universes exhibit projected onto City Hall.

Photo courtesy of City of Coral Gables

This year’s inaugural exhibition showcased eight installations with interactive art, video projections and light sculptures created by 16 artists from around the globe. The installations transformed the City’s streets, buildings and public spaces into an interactive and experiential outdoor museum. Educational and hands-on projects were also available at ICG. The exhibit was free. The second edition of ICG is in the works for 2022, with the goal of nearly 20 installations. Videos of the 2021 installations, interactive activities and more information are available at IlluminateCoralGables.org.

As demonstrated by Florida’s municipalities, public art has the potential to positively impact our cities, engage our residents and enhance the overall enjoyment of our communities.

Brittni Johnsen is the Media Relations Coordinator for the Florida League of Cities.