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Inspiration Way Sculptures Find a Permanent Home in Tamarac

“Jemma” Blue Heron by Lee Bell; Superstar” by Hanna Jubran; and “Unstoppable” by Gus and Lina Ocamposilva.

By Agrippina Fadel

Three of the 12 sculptures presented in the 2021 Inspiration Way open-air exhibition will be permanently displayed on Tamarac streets and city hall.

Beth Ravitz, a public art consultant for Tamarac, presented selected art objects to the commission meeting on September 13.

She explained that the public art committee used a budget of $60,000 to buy three sculptures.

“We will put these sculptures where the residents will see and enjoy them. Art can beautify our environment,” said Ravitz.

Colorful “Superstar” by Hanna Jubran is moving to the wide median between McNab and Pine Island.

“Unstoppable” by Gus and Lina Ocamposilva will be installed at the new Waters Edge Park, on the grassy area to the left of the entrance.

“This sculpture is very playful and fun. It would look good there,” said Ravitz.

“Jemma” Blue Heron by Lee Bell is a smaller sculpture that will be placed inside the city hall lobby. Mayor Michelle Gomez said Blue Heron is vibrant and dramatic and might be a good fit for the building.

Inspiration Way is a temporary exhibit located on Nob Hill Rd between Commercial and McNab.

Gadson and Ravitz LLC. proposed the project to the city in 2020. “We chose a place, built the concrete paths for the sculptures, and installed solar lighting. We are working on our third exhibition. We get the sculptures permitted, facilitate the call out to the artists and work with them to put it all together,” explained Ravitz.

She said that every year city puts out a national call for artists to participate. They usually get around 75 art submissions; the committee then selects 12. The sculptures are exhibited for one year, after which the city, along with other interested parties, has an option to purchase a few pieces.

“The call for artists is out. We expect responses by November 10. The public art committee will choose 12 new sculptures at the next meeting on November 16, and they will be installed in January 2022,” said Ravitz.

She said people enjoy art, but not everyone goes to art galleries. Inspiration Way is a museum without walls that exposes Tamarac residents to modern art and creates dialog about it within the city.

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Agrippina Fadel

Agrippina Fadel grew up in Siberia and received her master's in journalism from Tyumen State University. Agrippina is also a writer and editor at Draftsy.net. She has been a US resident for over ten years and speaks English and Russian.