by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
From City Hall to City Hall Pub, Downtown’s streetscape was decorated for the second year with the Holiday Window Display Project coordinated by the City’s Office of Special Events.
Local artists, designers and businesses created 16 holiday-themed displays. Some are very traditional and others quite eclectic. This year’s entries were judged based on creativity, originality and use of materials by a panel including Ann Meyer, associate publisher and owner of “TravelHost” magazine; Landing General Manager Janice Lowe; and Stephen Dare, resident raconteur at Metrojacksonville.com.
First place was awarded to Argie Mitra for “All Dressed Up ... & Nowhere to Go!” It depicts a scene of a girl preparing for a holiday party by making her own dress. Mitra is a 2010 graduate of Jacksonville University, where she earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in studio art and painting with a minor in costume design.
Second place was awarded to students at Seacoast Christian Academy for ”Christmas Blessings,” and the display’s theme of peace, love and joy.
Bob Shivers took third place this year with “Holiday Enchantment: His Journey Begins,” which depicts Santa Claus preparing for Christmas Eve.
All three of this year’s winning windows are at 11 E. Forsyth St., the high-rise apartment building at Main and Forsyth streets.
The windows will be on display through January. For a map showing the location of each window, visit www.makeascenedowntown.com or pick up a copy of the City’s “Celebrate the Holidays! Celebrate Downtown!” guide available at City Hall and Downtown hotels, businesses, museums and galleries.
356-2466