Okaloosa County BOCC — May 19, 2015 — OPA county2015

OKALOOSA PUBLIC ARTS Providing great art for our public spaces Public art is a true symbol of a community’s maturity. It increases a community’s assets and expresses a community’s positive sense of identity and values. It demonstrates civic and corporate pride in citizenship and affirms an educational environment. A community with public art is a community with vision.  Okaloosa Public Arts is an organization of Okaloosa County artists and other residents who are committed to providing exceptional and meaningful art in our public spaces.  OPA Board of Directors Shirley Napier, President Theresia McInnis Elia Saxer, Vice President Thalia Newton Linda Carr, Secretary Jean Pugh Barbara Lord, Treasurer Dinah Remington Theresa Barker Pat Roberts Jacqueline Glover Bernadette Sims Anne Johnston Linda Kernick OPA’s first project October, 2011 A juried art exhibit to celebrate the opening of the new judicial building. 45 local artists participated with a variety of media, and agreed to leave the art up for one year. Many of the works were donated to the County to become a permanent exhibit. OPA’s first project October, 2011 The project included acquisition and installation of a sculpture representing Lady Justice in the lobby, OPA’s first project October, 2011 a mural by Elia Saxer on the right entrance wall, OPA’s first project October, 2011 and an exterior sculpture by Richard Bauer. Samples of selected courthouse art Following the first courthouse show, OPA mounted an invitational art exhibit, in February 2012, as part of the opening celebration of the new Student Services Building at Northwest Florida State College. Also in 2012, OPA mounted several exhibits in the University of Northwest Florida Library in Fort Walton Beach: •February, 2012—work by OPA board members •May, 2012—invitational Folk Art Show •August, 2012—invitational Photography Show In September, 2012, OPA presented the second show for the Okaloosa County Courthouse Judicial Annex. Following are a few samples. In May 2013, OPA sponsored a unique exhibit at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. During a six-week period artists came to the Northwest Florida Ballet studios to sketch, paint and take photographs. The resulting art works were hung on both levels of the the airport building through January, 2014.