Riding my bike through the Riverwalk and stopped for a cold tea at Pura Vida where the giant THRIVE…read morecavelike stone sculpture proudly stands with green vines filling the sides of the cave. Im not really an art buff, but this sculpture by Daniel Popper was impressive. The stone sculpture depicts a woman cracking open her rib cage with both of her hands symbolizing transformation and hope. People can be seen taking pictures inside the cave. Its worth a few minutes to take a peek at this artwork if near Las Olas in Ft Lauderdale.

The Thrive Statue is one of those pieces that stops you mid-walk. It's powerful, expressive, and…read morequietly emotional--capturing strength, growth, and resilience all at once. The scale alone draws you in, but it's the details and posture that really make you pause and reflect. Set against the modern surroundings, it feels both grounding and inspiring, like a reminder to keep pushing forward even when things feel heavy. Beautifully done, thoughtfully placed, and absolutely worth a moment (or a photo) if you're in the area.

John Wilton As a mixed media artist maintaining a studio in…read moreDeLand, Florida, John Wilton has completed several public art commissions throughout Florida since 1991. In 1995, he was awarded an Individual Artist's Fellowship from the state of Florida. After an early career as an art director in South Florida, Dr. Wilton taught Visual Arts and Digital Media for 27 years at Daytona State College, Stetson University and Embry Riddle University. To see additional work, visit "John Wilton Art" on Facebook. "My creative process is informed by what I see or what I find. I then ask myself how I can make whatever it is into art. Often I am simply trying to share what I have found or seen with others who may be like-minded. The art work that was installed inside Hardy Park is beautiful. On a sunny day, the sun catches the colored panels and casts beautiful colors in the sky. blob:null/d0d74cb9-d27a-49aa-b91b-1484d7806ca6

I was walking from the Half Wall restaurant west on W Indiana Ave DeLand and looked down and saw…read more'large painting' on the sidewalk. I looked up and saw the 'sculpture' of a butterfly with see-through panels. The sun was shining through it to display the 'painting' on the sidewalk!! I had to call the Chamber of Commerce to find out the artist! John Wilton!! Thank you so much well done! I plan to take mini tours of downtown DeLand and see the artists' works up close and note the artists

My low rate is not on the festival. It's on the parking. If you are not familiar with this area…read morelike me. You found limited options and no guiding parking signs. I did see an area after I parked where to park for $10 cash only. You can try parking on the dark side streets. I did but then I was worried I might get towed. They close a section of a street and that has warehouses. I got here around 6:30 . It got really happening after 7:30, more lively. The warehouses showcase local vendors and art work. Some of the artists are physically there also. It's actually nice. You can ask them questions. The open air smells yummy. Specifically when the food truck are working there cooking magic. Over five diferent type of food trucks here. They had a talented live performer and music playing at the other side of the street. They did a good job putting this event together.

I'm surprised I hadn't reviewed this (maybe I did under the prior name / incarnation), but I have…read moreactually purchased art here - a Yorkie print by S. Leyden. Since it's open air, it's very dog friendly. You can even decide if a corgi looks more like a bread loaf or a potato :) This isn't an art faire in the old school way but more like a maker fair / craft show craft show with a lot of art for sale. You can chat up a lot of the artists, and prices are reasonable #supportyourlocalartists Besides a couple of restaurants nearby (the Sistrunk Food Court and Henry's Sandwich Station) there are more than a couple of food trucks in the blocked off street. You also get "seasoned" by music from reggae to classic rock and everything in between. It's definitely a fun night out in the 954 (and worth a drive up this way). Sunrise Ave is the better route from I95 especially to try and find street parking. Do try, because the only nearby lot is $10 and egad, Cash Only (how retro and or tax evasive. If you're a local definitely rideshare.

If you are interested in outdoor public art, don't want to pay to see it like for Wynwood Walls in…read moreMiami, and would rather avoid paying for tolls for driving closer abouts Miami, check out the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project! http://hollywoodcra.org/188/Downtown-Hollywood-Mural-Project Looks like they offer a free mural walking tour at 6pm every third Saturday (weather dependent), but we downloaded a map and headed off on our own. We ended up using their map to get to the area, then we did the wandering tourist thing, and just happened upon the artwork nilly willy. It was fun!

Downtown Hollywood has vibrant wall murals everywhere from the Art Park better known as Young…read moreCircle to Dixie Highway along Harrison Street and Hollywood Blvd. The idea behind the Hollywood Mural Project was to transform urban space into public art. Its free and easy to take a self guided tour to find all the exhibits. We found five that really stood out and discovered their origin and creators.

The Unity Beacon is public art installed at the roundabout at 13th St. and Old Dixie Hwy in 2017…read more The project was headed by H.O.M.E.S., Inc and the it was created by artists Yves Gabriel and R. Todd Schwing. The sculpture was named United Beacon because it is designed to represent the strength of this community and how the people in it support each other. The planter at the base of the sculpture represents roots and growth, the middle of the sculpture represents the obstacles the community has had to overcome, and the top represents four people hugging to show how people who are different can find common ground and come together. The sculpture lights up at night symbolizing a guide that lights the way for all of the progress that will take place in the city in the years to come. I enjoy discovering art and learning about it. I especially love the symbolism in this piece. Unity is an important idea especially during a time when our country seems so divided by race and politics. During Election Day I was ruminating on how far apart everyone seems to be in their views. Learning about this sculpture gives me hope. The message on how to make things better is in this sculpture, we need to come together and help each other. Unity is how we overcome.

Located in the middle of the roundabout at the intersection of NE 13th Street and Dixie Blvd, this…read morepretty piece of art was installed about two years ago. From their web page, "The Unity Beacon of Central City is a community inspired project to help unify and strengthen our community. A project involving the participation of local artist Todd Schwing, Yves Gabriel and members our community. Today Unity Beacon stands tall at the intersection on Ne 13 Street and Dixie Highway." I don't know that I've seen art that has its own Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/unity.beacon/posts/d41d8cd9/1950929165165677/ [Review 13286 overall, 604 of 2020.]

Romero Britto is a vivid pop artist and the founder of what he calls the Happy Art Movement. He…read morebelieves the purpose of art is to radiate happiness, fun, love, and hope while inspiring people. The New York Times has said Britto's art, "exudes warmth, optimism and love". Britto was born in poverty in Brazil in 1963. In 1983 he made his way to Europe where he was inspired by artists such as Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. In 1988 he moved to Miami where he still maintains a studio. Britto's earliest work was done on newspaper which was all he could afford and sold on the sidewalk. Inspired by the sunshine of Miami he began working in bright palates which attracted people to his work. He received his first major commission to design artwork for Absolut Vodka for a 1989 campaign that also had bottles that featured art by Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. Corporate partnerships and licensing deals followed. His designs have been used by companies like Disney, BMW, IBM, Apple Computers, Grand Marnier, Pepsi, and Royal Caribbean Cruises and his art has been featured on cruise ships, cars, Barbie dolls and pet collars His art has even made it to the World Cup, Superbowl. and Olympics. Britto art has been exhibited art galleries and museums in over 120 countries but his brightly colored artwork has become synonymous with South Florida where you can find it everywhere from city vehicles, hospitals, parking meters, and lottery tickets. Britto Inc. generates 250 million dollars of sales annually. He has become the most collected and licensed artist in history. Britto works out of art gallery dubbed the Britto Palace in Wynwood. You have to win your way in for a tour through charities or Britto picks one person a week with a golden ticket to visit from anyone that spends $250 or more with him. I discovered this iconic Britto palm tree art in Florence C. Hardy Park on my way to breakfast at Bagel and Company a few feet away. Palm trees are a common motif in his artwork. I saw a bunch of them for sale in his art gallery on Lincoln Road in South Beach. The sculpture was donated to the city by the Reger family in 2022. Britto came out for the dedication and expressed his joy that more people would be able to experience his art in the beautiful park. As a fan of Britto and his brightly colored pop art and public art works, I think this installation really brightens this corner of the park. What a generous gesture by the Reger family.

On April, 29, 2022, Romero Britto erected one of his iconic sculptures on the grounds of Hardy…read morePark. The donation was made by Tarpon River resident Yasmine Reger.

This is a charming park in the Park East community of Plantation, home to a large Caribbean…read morepopulation. The city created the park in 2000 in order to feature a global multicultural garden. The artwork in the park has been created to honor the cultural backgrounds of the people who love in Park East. Six, seven foot tall columns covered in mosaics created by elementary school children are at the entrance of the park and at the back of the park is a 109 foot wall covered in colorful tiles made by Plantation High School students. The artwork was created under the guidance of local artist Beth Ravitz who took design inspiration from student submissions. The city invested $38,000 into the park. I was really drawn to the colorful art pieces and I especially liked the tiles featuring sea life like dolphins, turtles, and orcas. The large sun tile was very pretty too. In addition to the art work the park has a tot playground, benches, and picnic tables. I even found banana trees in the corner. As a fan of free public art I really loved discovering this park. In 2002 The Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FC/ASLA) recognized the Multicultural Park in 2002 with an Award of Honor. How wonderful that the city tapped the artistic talents of it's youth to celebrate its residents.

I love this equestrian themed public art work. Silhouette Herd consists of 5 life size cut outs of…read morehorses galloping, cantering, trotting, and leaping down Pine Island Road. Silhouette Herd is the vision of artist Wendy Klemperer. Klemperer earned a bachelor's in biochemistry at Harvard before moving to NYC to pursue art full time and earning a B.F.A. in sculpture at Pratt Institute in 1983. She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY and Nelson, NH. Klemper has had exhibitions in NY and throughout the country and her permanent installation are displayed in MA, ME, MT, and Xinzheng, China. To create Silhouette Herd, Klemper first designed five horse sculptures based on her previous drawings. The pieces were then fabricated by Eric Small and his team at EES designs who plasma cut them from steel and stainless steel plates. Cut outs were chosen because they worked with the budget Davie had for the project while sculptures would have been much more expensive. Silhouette Herd was installed in 2022. The city added a paved walkway and benches behind the horses so it is very park like. Klemperer is known for her animal sculptures. The horses in Silhouette Herd were inspired by Davie's history as a western town. When Davie was settled it's economy was based almost entirely on farm land and cattle but now the agriculture and cows are disappearing. Davie hasn't forgotten it's western roots entirely however. It is still home to the Bergeron Rodeo. Like these horses that saunter down Pine Island Road you may still see the real thing as many people in Davie own horses that they ride in the area.

I was driving through Davie when this beautiful mural caught my eye.. Run is a public art mural…read morefeaturing colorful horses painted on the side of the Robert H. Bamford Sports Complex on Pine Island Rd. Run was painted by Nicaraguan artist, Luis Valle. Luis Valle aka El Chan Guri, was born on April 16, 1977 in Managua, Nicaragua. He grew up in Miami where he was drawn to the arts from an early age. During his teen years he began painting as a graffiti artist. He went on to take art classes at Florida State University in Tallahassee where he graduated with a BFA in Visual Arts. He later went on to receive a Masters in Arts Degree from New York University. The Town's Open Space and Recreational Activities Committee (OSRAC) gave direction and approved the design. The 1,000 sq. ft. Run mural depicts four 20-ft. tall horses representing Davie's equestrian history.. The horses appear to be galloping straight off the wall as they head towards the viewer. When Davie was settled its economy was based almost entirely on agriculture from farm land and cattle but now the farms and livestock are disappearing to make way for new commercial developments. Davie hasn't forgotten its western roots entirely however. It is still home to the Bergeron Rodeo, you can see western inspired architecture in the downtown, and so many people own horses that you can find horse tie ups and corrals in the the local parks. While these horses gallop off the wall, you are likely to see the real thing walking down Pine Island Road.