02/09/2024
We created something great with Sculpture Walk Wilton Manors which is being recognized all over as something to come visit here in Wilton Manors. Sculpure Walk is a privately funded project of Art Walk Wilton Manors, a 501(c)(3). I am very proud to be the originator of the program.
Public Art has been blossoming since we started Sculpture Walk in 2020. However the City of Wilton Manors has not been so receptive to Public Art, having delayed and delayed on adopting a Public Art Policy for the City and to invest in public art. Most people do not realize that perhaps 99% of all the art you are now seeing on the streets and buildings comes as a result of private 501(c)(3) non profits that install that art. Not Wilton Manors.
While the City has finally embarked upon a Public Art Policy, and I welcome this. However, they are still dragging their feet. They have a 16 month timeline before we even see a written policy. That is NOT acceptable especially since they are spending $30,000 to have someone write a policy. I actually wrote a Public Art Policy that I delivered to Justin Flippen and the Commission whcih was on the January 2020 agenda for discussion. It cost the city nothing and they also did nothing despite the efforts of Commissioner Julie Carson who introduced the topic to the Commission.
Everyone should keep applying pressure on the City to move this along. Their own Strategic Plan promised a policy by yearend 2022 and we are into 2024 already!
https://www.glartent.com/US/Wilton-Manors/106434694255492/Sculpture-Walk-Wilton-Manors?e=69913283
