Jacksonville Beach CRA advances public-art projects, approves art-advisory bylaw change and clears calls for large pier gateway sculpture

The Jacksonville Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on Aug. 25 advanced multiple public-art initiatives: staff received board consensus to proceed with two new restroom murals, the CRA approved an amendment to the Public Art Advisory Committee bylaws to reduce membership from seven to five and require Jacksonville Beach residency, and the agency signaled it will publish a call for a large pier-entry gateway sculpture with a planning budget around $175,000.

Staff presentation and artist selections Taylor, the CRA staff member presenting the item, said the art committee selected two local artists for public restrooms: Grace Seymour (Atlantic Beach) for the Oceanfront Park restroom and Sean Bono (a Jacksonville Beach resident) for the Second Avenue restrooms. The Oceanfront Park restroom installation is budgeted at $12,000; Taylor noted the amount is based on the program’s square-foot formula and that existing FY2025 art budget capacity covers the work. "We have got funding still left in this year's budget," Taylor said.

The board provided consensus — not a formal roll-call…