By: Sharon Aron Baron
Two art pieces with two entirely different themes were considered for installation by the Tamarac City Commission on Monday.
The first piece is a whimsical sculpture of children by artist Malcolm Robertson budgeted at $75,000, however, it is expected to to be more. This would be displayed at the University Drive overpass so cars driving northbound would see it as they go by. The piece is still in the planning stages and would require FDOT approval.Du ring the workshop meeting, the commission was in favor of the project, but would need to make a formal approval.
“I’m okay with it,” said Vice Mayor Diane Glasser. “People won’t miss this and it’s appropriate because there’s a school there.”
Funds for art are raised from permitting fees from developers, not homeowners, thereby it doesn’t cost the taxpayers. Art funds cannot be allocated for anything other than art projects, and it isn’t just statues either: the art committee is currently partnering with Young at Art Museum for a project at Sunset Park.
The second project is a statue on Commercial Boulevard near Rock Island that the art committee has been been discussing for several years. It will be located on the easement that the city owns located in front of the Woodlands Country Club.
There were four artists that were considered by the committee in April with a budget set at $200,000. At the meeting, one proposal in particular was a stronger pick. The Woodlands Tamarac website made residents aware the statue that would soon be installed in front of their community, and to submit their preference to the mayor’s office.
The artist that the majority of the residents preferred was “Wavehelix” by Roger Stoller* – which coincidentally was the preference of both the art committee and the city commission. The final design will be a slightly different variation from the original, with it being more vertical, similar to his other works.
