Art panel forwards two finalists for Manatee Pocket mosaic to county commissioners

The Martin County Art and Public Places advisory board voted to forward two artist proposals — Jim Dirks and Shannon Materio — to the Board of County Commissioners as finalists for the Manatee Pocket mosaic project following a subcommittee review of 15 applicants. The advisory board recorded the action by voice vote and will present the two finalists to the county commissioners at their August 12 meeting.

The advisory board’s community development coordinator, Alyce Raffa, said the panel’s appointed subcommittee met July 17 to evaluate 15 artist applications. Members scored proposals on artistic quality and concept, design clarity and neighborhood fit, artist experience (including public-art experience), community and cultural resonance with Port Salerno, and proposal execution. The subcommittee’s scores placed Jim Dirks first at 578 points, Shannon Materio second at 525 points, and Bridal Figueroa Figueroa third at 508 points.

Board members…