The Downtown Investment Authority's Urban Arts Facade and Streetscape Program on Dec. 18 dedicated a new illuminated sculpture in the park across Forsyth Street from the Florida Theatre.
Created by Buffalo, New York-based artist Shasti O'Leary Soudent, “Jaxoscope” was fabricated from textured stainless steel and comprises eight hollow prisms through which may be viewed kaleidoscopic images of Downtown architecture and the theater's neon marquee.
“I want this sculpture to serve the community,” Soudent said.
The sculpture was paid for with $66,000 from the DIA's public art fund and $16,000 from JEA that provided thousands of small lights that cover the object.
The plaza was recently renovated by the city at a cost of nearly $97,000 to replace the previous wooden decking with pavers and install new landscaping.
Numa Saisselin, president of the Florida Theatre, said the park and sculpture are an example of the public, private and nonprofit sectors working together.
“And Downtown is lighting up,” he said.
The sculpture will be illuminated 5 p.m.-12 a.m. daily.