Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO APPROVE artwork design proposal for a freestanding site specific artwork for a pocket park situated on the east side of South Pine Island Road, between SW 18th and SW 21st Streets in the Town of Davie, in an amount not-to-exceed $70,000 ($65,000 art and $5,000 contingency), which is currently budgeted in the Constitutional Gas Tax Capital Outlay Fund and Public Art & Design Trust Fund. (Commission District 5)

ACTION:  (T-10:19 AM)  Approved.
 
VOTE: 9-0.

Pursuant to Part II, Chapter 1, Article V, Section 1-88.a.11. of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, the Broward Cultural Council may recommend freestanding artwork as the Broward Cultural Council determines appropriate. All freestanding artwork shall be presented to the Broward County Board of County Commissioners (Board) for consideration and approval.

This action allows for the approval of the freestanding site specific artwork design proposal so that staff can proceed to develop an agreement with the artist to finalize the design, including and additional (or minor) revisions to the design proposal subsequently approved by the Broward Cultural Council, and proceed with fabrication and installation of the artwork.

BROWARD CULTURAL DIVISION AND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.

This item supports the Board's value of "Cultivating community culture, arts, recreation and life-long learning" and goals relating to providing diverse artistic, cultural, educational and historical amenities and programs that contribute to a vibrant, multi-cultural and economically-viable community.

This action is for approval of the proposed design of a site specific freestanding artwork for a pocket park situated on the east side of South Pine Island Road, between SW 18th and SW 21st Streets in the Town of Davie.

The location of the artwork is in a 1.3 acre pocket park, constructed as part of a County road improvement project. The pocket park is sited along a major north/south vehicular corridor in central Broward County utilized by an estimated 29,000 vehicles daily.

Exhibit 1 is the proposed design by artist Gareth Curtiss. The artwork is a bronze sculpture that depicts a mare and colt running side-by-side, conveying the bond between a mother and child and evocative of the spirit and equestrian values and lifestyle of the Town of Davie. The artwork is intended to represent an average size of a horse and colt, and the overall sculpture will be approximately 6’ high by 10’ long. The ground level sculpture will be supported by a cast concrete slab and surrounded by grass.

The sculpture shall aesthetically enhance the landscape design for the space which includes a meandering walking path, shrubbery and trees. The artwork shall be visible to individuals traveling northbound, without creating an obstruction or distraction. The artwork will generate an awareness of the attributes of the Town of Davie and Broward County through an artistic approach.

A Call to Artists was issued on June 08, 2016, which garnered 65 applicants. Artist Gareth Curtiss and his design was approved by the Public Art & Design Committee on July 13, 2016, then reviewed by the Davie Town Council on April 19, 2017; and approved by the Broward Cultural Council on June 1, 2017.

Earl F. Bosworth, Director, Cultural Division, (954) 357-7456