by Mary-Kate Roan
Staff Writer
What began eight years ago as an idea by then AmSouth Bank’s City President Marty Lanahan, has developed into a reality. Lanahan wanted a way to create a niche for the then small bank to stand out in the financial sector. This has developed into a strong partnership with the local art and culture community and an entire collection of local artwork featured in Regions branches throughout Jacksonville. With some help, the collection was put into a book.
Though Regions merged with AmSouth in 2007 the local art tradition remained. With the help of Lanahan, who is now the North Florida area executive for Regions Bank, Regions recently released an art collection book showcasing local artwork featured in 14 of the bank’s 28 Jacksonville-area branches. Not available for purchase, the book is given to the bank’s partners and clientele.
“The book showcases all of the original art in our branches,” said Sherri Johnson, marketing officer at Regions. “We produced it with the help of Ruckus Advertising-Public Relations, Fogle Fine Art and Stellers Gallery.”
Regions, Lanahan explained, wanted a way to bring awareness to the local artist the bank is showcasing as well as the local art and culture community.
But how did they find the art?
“Lanahan is very involved in the art community,” said Johnson. “She has hand chosen most of the artwork.”
Lanahan and Regions also have several partnerships with local galleries. When someone from a gallery sees a piece from a local artist that they think Lanahan will be interested in, they let her know. She has also found pieces at festivals and by utilizing her strong ties to the art community.
The artwork itself comes from Jacksonville’s local artists like Russ Wilson, a Jacksonville Beach resident, who has been selling his art since he was 15. A graduate of Florida State University’s 1985 class, Wilson spends about 3-5 days on a piece of work. Wilson is represented by Fogle Fine Art and Accessories, who his painting “Pelican Shadows, Lifeguard Station” was purchased through.
“They were looking to buy artwork to represent the region where the branch was opening up,” said Wilson on how his art was found. “And I had something that fit.”
Actually, the chosen piece was made for the beach since it was originally done to promote tourism for the Jacksonville Beach area.
Today, Wilson’s painting can be found at the Regions in Neptune Beach.
“Our first commissioned piece was by Nikki Bak from St. John’s,” said Lanahan. “We have since commissioned two others, the bike photos in our St. Augustine branch and our newest addition, a statue that will go in front of our San Marco branch.”
Regions representatives hope to speak with the Art in Public Places board to request that the sculpture in San Marco be highlighted in the Art in Public Places pamphlet.
Until then, there is a book in every bank’s lobby and clients can look through the colored high-definition photos and see for themselves a glimpse of Jacksonville’s local artwork.
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