Press Releases

Artist George Gadson To Lead Community-Based Public Art Project

BROWARD COUNTY, FL- Broward County Commission's Cultural Affairs Division is pleased to announce the selection of George Gadson for a community-based public art project in Pompano Beach. Gadson will facilitate the participation of young people in the design and installation of artist enhancements for the new community center to be built at West Pompano Beach Highlands Park.

Gadson, also a successful facilitator and businessman, is an artist who has gained recognition for his realistic portraits and commemorative sculptures. For the new West Pompano Beach Community Center, he will develop a concept and implement a community-based project for a small garden adjacent to the community center. The art enhancements may include sidewalk and wall inserts, seating, fence designs, bird feeders and topiary forms to support butterfly attracting flowering vines.

Gadson will identify local youth group(s) to engage or employ in the design and fabrication of the artwork. Gadson is to include the young people in such a way as to make it a meaningful hands-on experience for them and result in permanent artistic enhancements integrated into the garden.

"George Gadson has the community experience, interpersonal skills, and artistic talent to make this a very successful project," said Mary A. Becht, director of the Cultural Affairs Division. "We anticipate this being a great experience for the participants and resulting in a unique space that will be enjoyed by all the residents in the area."

Gadson, a Coral Springs resident, is currently working with the City of Hollywood Police Department on a Crime Prevention Survey through his position with the Florida Institute for Career and Employment Training at Florida Atlantic University. He has taught art at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, Old Dillard Museum , the Boys and Girls Club of Fort Lauderdale, Henderson Mental Health Center, and Broward Partnership for the Homeless, as well as at the Spectrums Program for crime offenders.

Gadson received notoriety for the commemorative sculptures that he created for Super Bowl XXIX and Super Bowl XXXIII. Commissioned by the Ely Education Foundation, he created a bronze bust of Dr. Blanche Ely for the Blanche Ely Education Museum in Pompano Beach. For the Jim Moran School of Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University, he created a bas relief of Jim Moran. His artwork has been included in numerous group exhibitions and two solo exhibitions.

Gadson completed the Public Art Intensive Training Workshop facilitated by the Cultural Affairs Division and ArtServe through Florida Atlantic University. He is trained as a workshop facilitator and completed the Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium Workshop on Facilitating Public Involvement. He earned his bachelors degree from Duke University.

The new West Pompano Beach Community Center will be built at West Pompano Beach Highlands Park, a 1.5 acre neighborhood park, located at 511 Northwest 44 St., Pompano Beach.

The artist will work in cooperation with the Broward County Commission's Parks and Recreation Division, community representatives and the Public Art and Design Committee to ensure that the artwork is appropriate for the site. The artist will collaborate with the project architect, Pierce Architectural Group, P.A.

For more information, contact Jody Horne-Leshinsky, marketing administrator, Broward County Commission - Cultural Affairs Division, (954) 357-7463 or jleshinsky@broward.org

About George Gadson
George Gadson is an African American artist, and Florida native who has gained world-wide recognition for his realistic portraits and sculptures of individuals and figures that have historical significance. Gadson specializes in scupltures, paintings, photography, public art and special recognition awards.