Islamorada Opens Art in Public Buildings to Boost Community Access

On January 2 a small group of artists and community members gathered in the Founders Park community room for the opening reception of the Village of Islamorada’s inaugural Art in Public Buildings (AiPB) exhibition. Mayor Don Horton, council members Anna Richards and Steve Friedman, and Village Manager Ron Sanders attended as artists were introduced, refreshments were served, and viewers moved through displays now installed in three village-owned public spaces.

The reception highlighted works by Monica Bankowski and Lisa Lee. Bankowski’s Amelia Snorkeling is an acrylic on canvas, while Lee’s Sailfish is a giclee print created in the Gyotaku form, an ancient Japanese technique for making fish prints. The exhibit, organized by cultural arts coordinator Emily Rother, features 14 Islamorada-based artists and will remain on view through March 5, 2026.

Art installed in the Ron Levy Aquatic Center lobby includes No Fishing, an oil on canvas by Paula Friedman; HAMMERtime, painted wood by Araña Glass; Nurse Shark in Shallows, a giclee print by Chadley Mominee; The Two of Us, an acrylic on canvas by Pasta Pantaleo; and Dreamland, a photograph by Emma North Mich. Additional pieces occupy the lobbies across the three floors of village hall. Many works are available for purchase.

Bringing art into public buildings expands access in practical ways. Locating work in municipal lobbies and the aquatic center places original art in daily circulation, not only for gallery-goers but for residents visiting for services, recreation, or civic business. Public art programs can bolster community cohesion by creating neutral, shared spaces for conversation and reflection. For local artists, sales and municipal exposure create tangible economic opportunities in a county where creative livelihoods are often tied to seasonal tourism and fluctuating markets.

The AiPB program also aligns with local public health goals by supporting environments that promote mental wellbeing. Accessible cultural programming can reduce barriers to participation for people who may be unable to attend traditional gallery shows because of cost, mobility, or scheduling. By situating work in publicly owned buildings, the village makes culture more equitable across age, income, and ability.

Residents wishing to view the exhibition can visit the Founders Park community room, the Ron Levy Aquatic Center lobby, and village hall lobbies through March 5, 2026. For information about artists or purchases, contact cultural arts coordinator Emily Rother at emily.rother@islamorada.fl.us.