About Us
News » Haven Creek Press Release
Haven Creek Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2005
Public Art Work “Haven Creek” Installed At Maxville Branch Public Library
JACKSONVILLE, FL – A new work of public art by regional painter Allison Watson was installed Thursday at the new Maxville Branch Public Library, 8375 Maxville Blvd., for the city’s Art in Public Places Commission. The 60” X 36” acrylic painting on canvas, titled “Haven Creek”, depicts an upland forest scene typical of the woodlands found in Maxville and Western Duval County. Watson is renowned in NE Florida for her large-scale landscape scenes of forest and wetlands of Florida and the South.
This installation is the eleventh of fourteen major public art installations slated for the Jacksonville Public Library, including eight installations completed this year so far, at Argyle, Brentwood, Southeast, Highlands, South Mandarin, and Web Wesconnett Branch Libraries; Larry Kirkland’s monumental bronze owl sculpture at the new Main Library; and now this one at Maxville Branch Library. Seven of the branch library projects went to regional artists in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. The brand-new Maxville Branch will have its Grand Opening on Saturday, July 16 starting at 10:00 a.m.
Ms. Watson has lived in North Florida all her life. She began her profession as a studio artist in her early twenties. She has worked as an animator, illustrator, textile artist, art teacher and licensed interior decorator. Ms. Watson paints from her own photographs taken locally, as well as from remote locations worldwide. She is represented in over 250 public and private collections nationally, including the Jacksonville Mayor’s Office, as well as purchases by the Florida Art in State Buildings Program and similar commissions. This is her first work of public art in Jacksonville.
“Allison’s work is perfect for this library, bringing the familiar natural landscape seen all around Maxville, into a beautiful space,” said Jeff Dunn, Chairman of the Art in Public Places Commission. “It’s the first thing you see when you walk in. The selection committee was excited about this piece and the Library has already given us several enthusiastic comments about it.”
The Art in Public Places Program is directed by the City’s Art in Public Places Commission and staff, with assistance provided by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. For more information, contact the Art in Public Places Office at 358-3600, x.11, or visit the website at www.culturalcouncil.org.