The Clearwater Public Art and Design Board voted to select Eileen Gay’s mosaic design "Floaty Totem" as the Marina Walk sculpture and approved moving the project forward by voice vote at the board meeting.

The decision follows staff presentation of three finalists and a request that the top artists provide additional design concepts. Amber Brace, Arts and Cultural Affairs Manager, told the board staff had asked the three finalists to submit new concepts; two returned additional designs and the board was asked to make the final selection.

The board discussed materials, scale and durability. Jonathan Barnes, a faculty member in visual arts at St. Petersburg College, said, "From a durability standpoint, you know, that one gets my vote." Barnes also commented on specific elements of the favored design, saying, "I like the buoys." Board members noted the proposed scale is 11 feet tall and that the preferred design would be constructed with a concrete core, steel embedded for structural support, acrylic cement reinforced with fiberglass, and high-glazed porcelain glass and stone mosaic adhered with thin-set cement.

The board took a voice vote on the preferred design. Jonathan Barnes made the motion to select the piece; Kim Devito, Digital Strategy Director at Creative Pinellas, seconded it. The motion carried on an affirmative voice vote; no opposing votes were recorded in the meeting transcript.

Board members also raised licensing and merchandising questions. Staff explained that standard agreements typically state the city may use photographs of installed public art for promotion but that reproduction or sale of the artist’s work (for example on T-shirts) would require the artist’s permission and a separate agreement with any vendor.

The board’s approval authorizes the city to proceed with artist selection and next design and fabrication steps for the Marina Walk sculpture. Specific contract terms, timeline and formal agreements with the artist were discussed as forthcoming and were not finalized during the meeting.

Officials did not give specific installation dates at the meeting; procurement and contract details remain to be completed by city staff.