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Gust of Wind Press Release
For Immediate Release
October 02, 2003
Mayor Peyton Dedicates First Work in the “Art in Public Places” Program
Jacksonville, Fla. (October 2, 2003) City and community leaders joined Mayor John Peyton Thursday at the San Marco Library and Balis Community Center as he dedicated the first work funded by the Arts in Public Places program.
“This dedication is just one symbol of this city’s leap forward into a future in which we are known for both good business sense and a healthy respect for culture,” Peyton said.
The Art in Public Places Commission, the appointed oversight group for the program, specifically commissioned the 8-by-9 painting for the space from local artist Jerry Smith. The piece, entitled “Gust of Wind # 2,” was created by Smith featuring his wife, Sonsheree Giles, caught off guard by a strong gust of wind from a thunderstorm coming in from the west across the St. John’s River.
She barely keeps hold of her umbrella as pages from her book fly away into the sky. The backdrop for the scene is Riverfront Park along River Road in San Marco. “These recent paintings have been made in Jacksonville about life in Jacksonville in one way or another,” said Smith, who also attended the dedication.
“Most often I choose as subject matter those closest to me and the spaces inside and outside my door. I seek the desire to send with the viewer a lasting impression of beauty and grace.” Smith holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in painting and his work is in private and corporate collections throughout the United States and Europe. He moved to Jacksonville in 2001 and is currently an adjunct professor at both the University of North Florida and Florida Community College at Jacksonville.
The Art in Public Places ordinance, passed by City Council in 1997 and revised in 2002, allows for the dedication of three-quarters of one percent of construction and design costs of new or renovated public facilities for the purchase of public art. Over $2.5 million has been generated for the public art fund, with a majority coming from The Better Jacksonville Plan projects.
The commission receives administrative and technical assistance from the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. The San Marco Branch Library is open Monday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Balis Community Center is open Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Community Center is also available to rent by calling (904) 306-2148.
For more information on Jacksonville’s public art program, contact the Art in Public Places Office at (904)358-3600, or visit www.culturalcouncil.org.