The second art theft Downtown since 2010 happened early Monday morning when thieves broke a window at Southlight Gallery and stole two sculptures with a combined value of $4,400.
Pam Zambetti, Southlight marketing director and artist-in-residence said, according to witnesses, the burglars threw a large piece of granite through the storefront window, grabbed the sculptures, hopped into a vehicle with the art and sped away.
The marble sculptures are the work of Enzo Torcoletti, emeritus professor of art at Flagler College in St. Augustine.
He has exhibited in many galleries, including at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville. Torcoletti has an exhibit through Sept. 30 at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens along Riverside Avenue.
“Enzo’s pieces were among the highest-valued art we have in the gallery. Maybe whoever took them did their homework,” Zambetti said.
The location of the gallery, directly across Hogan Street from VyStar Credit Union, means there may be surveillance camera images that could help identify the crooks and lead to the recovery of the sculptures. Zambetti said the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft.
It’s not the first time Southlight Gallery has been robbed.
Zambetti said a few years ago when the gallery was along Forsyth Street, a young man stole the tip jar from the bar during First Wednesday Art Walk, then ran out of the gallery and down Forsyth Street leaving in his wake a trail of currency and coins.
Some good Samaritans interceded when they realized a theft had occurred.
“They tackled the guy. I remember he had a pretty bloody nose from when his face hit the sidewalk,” said Zambetti.
An art theft also occurred during the 2010 Jacksonville Jazz Festival.
Adrian Pickett Gallery Curator Elonya Davis said Pickett set up a display Saturday night at the Jacksonville Landing near the gallery and Pickett’s charcoal portrait of Johnny Depp was stolen.
Davis said witnesses saw a woman pick up the portrait and carry it out of the Landing.
Just hours after the theft, acquaintances of the perpetrator contacted police and were advised that stealing art is a very serious crime.
“By Sunday morning, the portrait was returned. We found it in a hallway wrapped in a trash bag. We decided not to press charges. Getting Johnny back was what was important to us,” Davis said.
Zambetti said the building owner quickly replaced the broken window and Southlight is back in business, exhibiting art along Hogan Street.
“We wanted to have storefronts, but we didn’t want to have smash-and-grab,” she said.
Anyone with information about the theft or the whereabouts of the sculptures is asked to contact the gallery at (904) 438-4358, email [email protected] or call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500. Refer to case No. 2014-146993, Southlight Gallery.
(904) 356-2466