West Palm Beach launches year-long ‘Collection Connection’ passport to get residents exploring public art

The City of West Palm Beach and the Mandel Public Library will launch Collection Connection, a year-long public-art "passport" program, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 4 p.m. at the Urban Living Room, city arts staff announced on the City Center podcast.

The program pairs Artlife West Palm Beach—s public-art map with library-distributed passports that prompt participants to visit pieces across the city. Participants pick up a passport at the Mandel Public Library, visit artworks listed on the city—s GIS-based Artlife map (wpb.org), collect stamps for visits and earn enamel pins and entry into quarterly prize raffles, city officials said.

Sibile Contal, director of arts, culture and community building for the City of West Palm Beach, said the passport is intended to slow viewers down and push them to engage with art beyond a quick glance. "Start at the artwork without glancing away ... at least a minute or more if you can," Contal said. "If you stick with it longer—5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes—it changes. You start picking up nuances you didn't see before."

Contal described two versions of the passport: a simplified kids— version available in the Mandel—s children—s area and a more reflective adult version that includes prompts and a QR code to the Artlife map. The city plans to make the map mobile-friendly so visitors can locate nearby pieces, walk between installations and scan a QR code on the passport to record visits.

The city will distribute stamps at the library; children and adults earn pins and, after collecting enough pins over the year, may be entered in periodic raffles for larger prizes. Contal said the exact number of stamps required for each reward was not specified on the podcast.

Contal framed Collection Connection as part of a broader public-art effort that grew after an ordinance implemented in February 2014 and a five-year master plan. "Over the last five years we've seen over 55 projects, permanent artworks and temporary projects throughout the city," she said, noting that temporary works let the program take more risks and draw residents back to see new pieces.

Staff said Collection Connection launches with a library-led walk-through at the Urban Living Room event; librarians will show attendees how to get passports, use the Artlife map and collect stamps. Contal said the program is designed as an evolving, year-long initiative: the city expects five new pieces by March and additional installations in subsequent months, and the program will continue as new works are added.

Contal also described other local initiatives planned for 2025, including the Commons Project (a local-artist initiative selecting five Palm Beach County artists through a competitive process) and new works commissioned for private developments downtown—s Forte Residences, Mister C—s Residences and 811 South Dixie, along with projects in Northwood Village and partnerships with the Community Redevelopment Agency and the library.

The city encouraged participants to find the Artlife map and Collection Connection information online: wpb.org (search "Artlife" or go directly to wpb.org/collectionconnection) and on the Mandel Public Library web pages. Contal said the program requires no app download; the map and passport prompts are intended to be accessible on smartphones.

The City Center podcast is produced by the City of West Palm Beach communications department. City officials asked residents to check wpb.org/collectionconnection or the Mandel Public Library pages for details about the Feb. 12 launch, passport pickup locations, prize rules and updates as new artworks are installed.