Three UNF students to create large scale sculptures for Hemming Park; installation scheduled for spring of 2019
A donation from the Haskell Foundation will allow Friends of Hemming Park (“FOHP”) and the University of North Florida (“UNF”) to expand their Hemming Park sculpture initiative, bringing three student-created sculptures to the heart of Jacksonville in the spring of 2019. The
collaboration between FOHP and UNF originally contemplated adding a single sculpture to the Park in each of the next five years.
During the month of October, maquettes – small scale models – created by eight sculpture students from UNF were exhibited at MOCA. Visitors to the museum had an opportunity to vote for their favorite, and selected student Jennifer Peek’s “Histor-Tree of Jacksonville” for a “People’s Choice Award.” Students then presented their proposals to an art selection panel comprised of downtown residents, business owners and representatives of organizations including JaxParks, the JPL, MOCA Jacksonville, Friends of Hemming Park and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. Following the presentation, the panel and students learned of the Haskell donation, which allowed the panel to select three students to receive cash prizes sufficient to cover all costs of sculpture fabrication.
“Deer” by Olivia Warro
The following student sculptors will work with Jennifer Hager, UNF sculpture professor, and Lance Vickery, UNF assistant professor of sculpture, to complete their sculptures during the Spring semester:
Stephen Magyar “Sunshine Mimosa”
Jennifer Peek “Histor-Tree of Jacksonville”
Olivia Warro “Deer”
“Histor-Tree of Jacksonville” by Jennifer Peek
Sculptures will be installed in Hemming Park for a period of one year. During this year, the student artists will retain ownership of their work and will receive assistance in marketing its sale. All proceeds of any sale will be retained by the student artist. An opening reception recognizing the student artists, funders and other supporters will be hosted by Friends of Hemming Park to celebrate the installation of the sculpture during the spring of 2019. Additional donations for the Sculpture Initiative are welcomed, and will help to fund signage, landscaping and lighting for this important public art project.
