The Downtown Festival & Art Show is an amazing celebration of the arts. Unfortunately, the festival lasts only two days. If only art could be displayed along Gainesville’s red-brick streets 365 days a year. …
Oh, wait. It is!
In case you haven’t noticed—and, apparently many haven’t yet—there are more than 20 pieces of public art lining streets and walkways around the Hippodrome State Theatre and Union Street Station. All you have to do is look—and admire.
The sculptures are part of the Downtown Gainesville Public Art Initiative, started by Nava Ottenberg with assistance from Jasper North and Mary Rockwood Lane. The first sculptures installed three years ago were “Stag” and “Rooster” by famed Peruvian artist Victor Delfin.
Those metal sculptures, loaned by Euphrosyne Parker in memory of her late husband (noted architect Alfred Browning Parker), are located on Southeast 2nd Place in front of Persona Vintage Clothing and Starbucks, respectively.
Soon to follow were two sculptures by the late David Bell, “Star Burst” and “Love Palm,” and Ted Crom’s “Luna,” a towering man-in-the moon sculpture that watches over the corner of Southeast 2nd Avenue and 1st Street.
Additional sculptures from local and international artists have popped up on a regular basis on downtown sidewalks and walls and in the courtyard of the Sun Center. They include five pieces by metal artist Jasper North and two others by the late, great Lennie Kesl.
All the artists have volunteered significant efforts, according to Ottenberg. Local businesses have helped with funds for installations equipment and plaques. Five of the pieces are clustered along a painted wall in a landscaped alleyway on the east side of Union Street Station.
“A few years ago, we had no visible public art in downtown Gainesville–at all!” she said. “When I’d visit other cities, such as Portland and Philadelphia, public art was part of the everyday urban experience. We didn’t have that here.”
Ottenberg, owner of Persona Vintage Clothing, discussed her concerns with Linda McGurn, whose McGurn Management Co. has led the revitalization of downtown Gainesville. She and her husband, Ken, spearheaded the development of Union Street Station, the Sun Center and other properties.
“Linda has been instrumental in recognizing the importance of public art,” Ottenberg said. “If not for her, we wouldn’t have as many venues to display the art.”
McGurn gives credit to Ottenberg for coming up with the idea of a public art project.
“It started out small and has ballooned into something amazing,” McGurn said. “It’s fun. It creates interest. It directs people where to walk.”
McGurn admitted that she balked when Ottenberg suggested installing John Andrews’ imposing “A Dragon Trophy” on the north face of the Sun Center.
“When she first brought up the idea of the dragon, it seemed so out of character,” McGurn said. “Then I realized that it made sense. It’s wonderful to watch people look up at it!”
Ottenberg said that is precisely the point.
“To me, public art is when you walk on the street and something captures your eye,” she said. “Dimension and size are important in public art.”
Soon, the Downtown Gainesville Public Art Initiative will produce a brochure with a map so that downtown visitors can take self-guided tours of the sculptures.
Artwork can be purchased or commissioned from the artists, either by contacting Nava Ottenberg (352 372-0455) or the artist directly.
For a virtual tour of the Downtown Gainesville Public Art Initiative, the map below indicates the location of each sculpture, followed by a corresponding numbered photograph of each piece:
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