City Puts Its Heart in Art

Sculptures and hay bales placed throughout Dade City

DADE CITY | Pasco County | Pop. 7,402

by Angie Guy, City of Dade City

The City of Dade City uses outdoor public art displays to increase interest in downtown and throughout the area by residents and visitors alike.

The Dade City Center for the Arts (DCCA) partnered with the City to facilitate an outdoor, permanent public art exhibit that brought large heart sculptures to nearly a dozen city-owned properties downtown. The 3D metal sculptures, measuring approximately 36 inches by 36 inches by 8 inches, are attached to 6-foot steel posts secured to the ground. Artwork patterns differ on each structure.

The entire project was facilitated by DCCA and local artist and gallery owner Russ Taylor. DCCA’s Board of Directors enlisted the help of professionals and youth groups to submit ideas and designs. The Board selected artists to paint the myriad sculptures.

The sculpture by Dade City resident Karen Menard depicts a monarch butterfly.

Photo courtesy of the City of Dade City.

Also, the art organization partnered with Pasco-Hernando State College’s welding program to fabricate metal structures designed to withstand inclement weather and other conditions. A local car dealer assisted with the priming and coating of the hearts before installation. A local construction company assisted with the final installation.

City leaders expressed enthusiasm and support for the public art project. Mayor Pro Tem Jim Shive said, “I think art’s a great thing. It’s a great motivator for the young people. I think it’s going to be great to have art in Dade City.” Mayor Camille Hernandez added, “We look forward to seeing it come to fruition and just adding that creative touch and some excitement for the town.”

The initiative is meant to make the downtown area even more attractive and provide a way to use public artwork as a photo opportunity and marketing tool. The premise is that the art displays will encourage residents and visitors to stroll throughout the City. More frills included installing QR codes on each sculpture. The codes link to information about a particular artist or the meaning of the artwork as well as locations of city landmarks.

The entire concept is like outdoor art events in other cities that bring together artists’ creativity with a sculptural icon that relates to the city. In Dade City’s case, its official seal has a heart shape surrounded by kumquats in its center.

The “Old Glory” sculpture by artist and Florida native Mark Hannah of Hannah Design Artworks.

Photo courtesy of the City of Dade City.

Dade City staffers are likewise very supportive of the installation of public art objects, said Melanie Romagnoli, the City’s Community and Economic Development Director. Romagnoli said that “for the locations within our CRA [Community Redevelopment Agency] as well as in our comprehensive plan for the entire city, public art is encouraged as part of an attraction, as a destination for people to come visit.”

A hay bale by artists Jasmine and Curtis Wright of Treehouse Mercantile, part of the Hay Bale Public Art Project.

Photo courtesy of the Dade City Center for the Arts.

The DCCA has additional community art projects. The Second Annual Hay Bale Public Art Project 2021 was completed last fall. Six large hay bales were placed on cityowned properties throughout the City and painted by local artists. Thanks to area businesses and organizations, the public art project was an enormous success.

Artist Ryah Taggerty painted a pumpkin on a hay bale as part of the Hay Bale Public Art Project.

Photo courtesy of the Dade City Center for the Arts.

DCCA is working on its next project. The organization will facilitate a wall mural on the exterior of a building that is visible from the Hardy Trail. A local artist is working on a design that will be approved by the DCCA Board. The City will help coordinate the painting of the wall so that businesses and walkers can continue as usual, as it is in the heart of downtown.

A painted hay bale by artists Delaney Reese, Cassidy Reese, Patty Reese and Allissa Ross.

Photo courtesy of the Dade City Center for the Arts.

Dade City will promote health and wellness by connecting the mural to its popular trail through the City. The project will encourage people to walk the trail.

Like the heart sculptures, the DCCA is arranging for the funding and labor for the mural, which is pending City approval. The mural is expected to be completed in the first half of 2022.

Angie Guy is the City Clerk for the City of Dade City.

Editor’s note: Information in this article originally appeared in The Laker/Lutz News on May 25, 2021.