Gulf Breeze Looking for Helping Hands

The City of Gulf Breeze is looking for some helping hands to continue its innovative public art program of placing sculptures around the community.

While four sculptures are funded, thanks to private donors and money set aside by the City Council, the city needs donations for landscaping, benches and sidewalks to complement the art, City Manager Buz Eddy says.

Gifts of money or in-kind donations are welcome.

Sidewalks will let people interact with the art; landscaping and benches will enhance the areas, Eddy said.

The city plans at least five sculptures, although Mayor Beverly Zimmern said she is open to more than five sculptures if there is enough public support for the project, which enhances Gulf Breeze’s reputation as an arts-friendly community in addition to having excellent schools, parks and waterfront.

The second sculpture, by Lou-Mitchell Courtney of Pensacola, will be installed in July at Woodland Park, near the police station. Courtney’s work has won awards at art venues in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Raleigh, N.C. It is being underwritten by donations from App River founders Michael Murdoch and Joel Smith.

Sculptures by other local artists also will be erected on public property over the next several months.

The program began with the unveiling April 24 of the first sculpture, “Fuego,” at Wayside Park. The 17-foot-tall aluminum abstract, by Kevin Marchetti of Pensacola, features lights that change in literally thousands of combinations. More than 300 people turned out for the unveiling, proof of public support for the project, which was supported by Gulf Breeze residents JoAnn and Michael Price.

Donations can be made at artforgulfbreeze.com.