ArtLife WPB Announces Local Artist Initiative "The Commons"
Published on February 18, 2025
February 18, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Larry Ganns, Interim Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
lganns@wpb.org
(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
ArtLife WPB Announces Local Artist Initiative The Commons: 5 Artists 5 Spaces
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The City’s Public Art Program ArtLife West Palm Beach launched its third iteration of The Commons, an initiative aimed at encouraging local artists to take their projects out of the art studio and into the public realm. Through a competitive process open to Palm Beach County artists, five multidisciplinary artists were selected to create temporary site-specific work with the theme of endless summer.
Artists selected to participate in The Commons include:
Quimetta Perle: Perle creates powerful imagery of women from decorative media. “Let me Bring You Something Beautiful” is an original poem transposed onto a series of eight textile works. Utilizing her vibrant color palette, the individual pieces will be exhibited up on the Mandel Public Library’s 4th floor light-filled arched ceiling. “I have always thought of summer as a joyful time; and endless summer, despite its sometimes-intense heat, as paradise. Libraries provide opportunities for reading, learning and not least of all refuge,” Perle stated.
Mei O’Malley: A West Palm Beach resident and an “alumnus” of the Mandel Public Library, O”Malley grew up checking out books and DVDs at a young age with their Mom and little brother. O’Malley’s “Endless Summer” comic series brings to life the different young adult characters who enjoy being a resident of West Palm Beach. The artist will create an immersive comic-filled world in the two public elevators at the library.
Gregory Dirr: Dirr is creating an immersive otherworldly installation titled “Canopy Realm” in the City’s courtyard outside of City Hall. The site-specific work is a mini fantasy garden with mushroom cap hills, solar-powered flower sculptures, mischievous sculptural garden cats, and grassy hills. Utilizing mostly recycled goods, this dreamy nature installation will delight both young and older viewers, transporting them temporarily into another realm.
Allan Creary: Creary is bringing his “pop” style art to Howard Park. Twelve park benches will be temporarily vinyl-wrapped in his signature pop style of painting: Bold colors and playful imagery that will reflect the energy of the City. “Endless Summer: Pop in the Park is about making art a seamless part of public life, inviting interaction and bringing a sense of wonder to communal spaces,” Creary stated.
Milena Arango: Arango’s project “Ocean Echoes” is an immersive art installation taking place at Jose Marti Park. Using a variety of textiles and ropes, Arango will create forms that evoke the rhythm and movement of ocean waves. Inspired by the natural beauty of surrounding water ways, the project aims to highlight the intricate relationship between water and our lives.
The Commons: 5 Artists 5 Spaces: Endless Summer 2025 opens soon! Stay tuned.
For more information about this project, please contact Sybille Canthal, Director of Arts, Culture and Community Building at scanthal@wpb.org or (561) 822-1521.
Join the conversation on social media! Follow @ArtLifeWPB & @TheCityOfWPB.
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About The City of West Palm Beach
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the region with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and/or LinkedIn.
About ArtLife
ArtLife WPB is the public art program of the City of West Palm Beach, Florida. ArtLife serves its residents and visitors by presenting a diversity of artworks to be experienced in our city. The program works with the public and private sector to commission artist at all career stages to create meaningful artworks —both permanent and temporary —throughout the City’s Public Spaces. For more information about ArtLife WPB, please visit www.wpb.org/Residents/ArtLife-WPB or contact Sybille Canthal, Director of Arts, Culture, and Community Building at (561) 822-1521 or scanthal@wpb.org.