The new murals on the Yates Building parking garage were dedicated Wednesday in a ceremony attended by City officials and arts advocates.
"You asked for more public art and we have delivered," said Christie Holechek, Art in Public Places coordinator for the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.
The murals on the northeast and northwest corners of the City-owned garage are the first installations in the Cultural Council's "Spark Grant" program.
A portion of Downtown bordered by Duval Street, the St. Johns River and Hogan and Liberty streets was designated by City Council resolution as an arts district eligible for public art exhibits.
"This reflects the soul and the heart of the city. Even the most simple expression of art has an impact on the community," said Council President Bill Gulliford.
"Downtown is on the move. Great downtowns have great art," said Ted Carter, executive director of the City Office of Economic Development.
Carter represented Mayor Alvin Brown at the ceremony.
"Public art is at the core of the mayor's plan to take Jacksonville to the next level," Carter said.
"You can't not feel the energy. Where there is art, there is activity," said Diane Brunet-Garcia, chair of the Cultural Council board of directors.
Gulliford said he will encourage local artists to exhibit their work at City Hall before Council meetings.
For more information about Spark Grants, visit culturalcouncil.org.
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