Panama City Reporter

City of Panama City Beach issued the following announcement on February 2.

The City of Panama City Beach wants to encourage more public art displays for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors and the benefit of the entire community, and has created a Public Art Committee to help facilitate it.

To show their enthusiastic support, officials recently approved public art provisions for the City’s Land Development Code (LDC) and is encouraging residents to place art in publicly accessible places around town. (The LDC contains all the rules and regulations governing the use and development of land in Panama City Beach.)

“We know that art enhances a community and contributes to quality of life,” said Mayor Mark Sheldon. “Public art stimulates the imagination and encourages people to pay closer attention to their environment.

“People want to raise their children in communities that embrace the arts. We can all appreciate a thought-provoking painting or sculpture, which can also serve to stimulate young, budding artists by showing the community has an appreciation in artistic endeavors.” 

This emphasis on public art began one year ago, with the adoption, painting and unveiling of 11 SeeLife turtle and dolphin sculptures. The program was so popular that officials wanted to expand the opportunity for more public displays of art.

To place a piece in the community, submit an application to the Public Art Committee, comprised of Building and Planning Director Mel Leonard and artists Alfie Martin and Helen Ferrell. There is a $100 permit fee due at the time of application.

“Community art helps create a cultural identity as well as a sense of belonging. As you are driving or walking along and you see it, you can have that ‘ah ha’ moment that is thought-provoking,” said Martin. “Art allows the mind to go somewhere else – somewhere peaceful – and brings reflection.”

Ferrell agrees, saying these project enable people to have fun and develop their own creative side. “The arts uplift the spirit, creating a space for people to come together and build a strong community identity. The arts allow us a space in our busy lives to ‘just be.’”

Under Section 5.07.07 G of the LDC, public art may be placed on public property or publicly accessible private property with written approval of the property owner.

Art must meet the following criteria:

• The art must be created by an artist or by an entity or organization affiliated with an educational institution or the local arts community.
• The proposed art must demonstrate excellence in aesthetic quality, workmanship, innovation and creativity.
• The proposed art should not be overtly commercial or political. (No prominent or conspicuous symbols or logos commonly associated with a particular company, brand, political party, political affiliation or cause.)
• The art should be appropriate in scale, form, content, and of materials/media suitable for the site's location and manner of placement.
• Demonstrate feasibility in terms of budget, timeline, safety, durability, operation, maintenance, conservation, security and/or storage and siting.
• The art is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and not injurious to the neighborhood or detrimental to public safety or welfare.
• The art furthers the City's goal of promoting a broad range of artistic styles and media to maintain an overall balance of art within the City.

Artists or groups who place the art are responsible for its maintenance.

Click here for the application which can be returned by email here.

Martin is the founder and creative director of Teatro de las Artes, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the worldwide promotion and advancement of art, culture and education. He is the recipient of numerous national and international awards and recognitions and has directed, produced, and had leading roles in many large indoor and outdoor music, theatre, and visual arts festivals and productions. He has produced records and music videos and as a former actor and stuntman has also had primary roles in international television, film and stage productions.

Helen Ferrell is an artist, gallery owner, and founder of the Beach Art Group and the Sunshine Art Center. She has actively advocated for the arts in Panama City Beach and Bay County for the last 20 years.   

 Communications Director Debbie Ingram can be reached at (850) 233-5100, Ext. 2261.

Original source can be found here.