The winning public art project for the Duval County Courthouse has been announced. Mayor Lenny Curry said Tuesday the vote was unanimous to select Cliff Garten Studio of Venice, California.
Garten said his intent was to create a sculpture about Jacksonville that incorporated its history and words of contemporary writers.
“In a framework that begins with each of the writers selecting a text from a significant historical author associated with Jacksonville, they will each respond with their own text as a way of weaving a story about Jacksonville in the context of our American democratic judicial system,” Garten said.
The local poets and writers taking part are: Yvette Angelique, Tim Gilmore, Ebony Payne English, Love Reigns and Sohrab Homi Fracis. Their text will be integrated into 2 sculptures framing the entry to the courthouse. Two flowing ribbons of stainless steel will have the words illuminated at night.
Garten will reveal his project during the city’s bicentennial year and 10th anniversary of the courthouse.
The artwork is underwritten by the Percent for Art program, managed by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville’s Art in Public Places program.
Michelle Corum can be reached at mcorum@wjct.org, 904-358-6308 or on Twitter at @MCorumonME.
