The City of Miami Gardens City Council proudly passed an ordinance adopting the City’s own Art in Public Places (AIPP) program during the September 8, 2010 City Council Meeting. The Art in Public Places program is designed to enhance the aesthetic environment of the City of Miami Gardens by implementing works of art on public property in association with the construction of new public buildings. The program allocates 1.5% of construction budgets for new public buildings to the design or procurement of artwork, and its installation. Since the inception of its Art in Public Places program, the City of Miami Gardens’ Department of Capital Improvements has managed and implemented three art installations at public locations within the City.
The first contracted Art in Public Places project is “Splash!”. The installation of this multi-dimensional art piece was completed in April 2012, and is on display in the Natatorium located within the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex. This functional work of art consists of a series of 972 vibrantly colored hanging tubes, which represent a playful splash from the colorful pool slide, and serves as acoustical enhancement for its surrounding space. The design and installation for this piece required the expertise of Artist Xavier Cortada, along with the expertise of CPZ Architects, Inc. (project architect), Colby Leider (acoustical engineer) and All American Builders, Inc. (general contractor) to reach perfection. The City of Miami Gardens and Miami-Dade County Building Better Communities Bond Program (GOB) made funding for this project possible.
The second contracted public art project was “Curtain Call”. This public art piece was designed and installed by Artist Robert McKnight, and reached completion in January 2012. It consists of mosaic and sculptural qualities, and was constructed on the stage platform face of the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex Amphitheater. Keeping the theme of the amphitheater seating area, the sculptural elements of this art piece consist of stone block surrounding the stage, and stage curtain folds, which appear to draw apart exposing a brightly colored center mosaic. The center mosaic sparkles from every angle in any light, representing the appearing entertainment on stage. The City of Miami Gardens, Miami-Dade County Building Better Communities Bond Program (GOB) and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Program (SNP) provided funding for this project.
The public art project, “ENVISION”, was completed in February 2012. This work of art consists of a mural designed and installed by Artist Carlos Pereira. This mural surrounds the observer as he or she stands in the breezeway area of the new Miami Carol City Park Recreation Building. It’s an all-embracing experience enveloping you from all sides… up, down, side to side, unlike a typical picture mural you would see painted on a wall. “ENVISION” is meant to depict and invoke positive emotions, such as love, ambition and pride in one’s self and his or her surroundings and community… and, it truly does. The mural beautifully blends the nature, recreation and leisure found in the park. It truly captures the spirit of the Miami Gardens community. The City of Miami Gardens and Miami-Dade County Building Better Communities Bond Program (GOB) made funding for this project possible.
The new Art in Public Places installations have transformed the aesthetic atmosphere of the facilities where they are placed and these beautiful works of art are just the beginning of many art installations to come in the future for the City of Miami Gardens.
