CRESTVIEW — Shalimar artist Elia Saxer has completed two murals in the new Okaloosa County Administration Building.
One depicts the county’s almost 30-mile Gulf of Mexico frontage, with fish, sea birds and dolphins. The other depicts the county’s 101-year-old history. A gulf and wetlands rendering, with fishing and sail boats, is central.
But few references to North Okaloosa County are included. In 16 smaller images flanking the gulf image, three depict scenes from the north county’s heritage, including the original county courthouse, a steam train and men tapping trees for sap harvesting.
The mural’s dearth of north county representation led to a local discussion about the need not just for the region’s inclusion in future murals — such as any that might be considered for the planned downtown Crestview courthouse — but for local public art in Crestview in general.
ART DISCUSSION
Main Street attorney and Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles brought the idea to Crestview Friends of the Arts President Rae Schwartz.
“I mentioned the idea of art in downtown Crestview as a draw,” Boyles said, and added that creating outdoor sculptures and murals along Main Street as an “art walk” could attract visitors to the historic district.
Boyles has commissioned a sculptor to produce dimensional metal art for the outdoor food court he owns in Main Street’s 100 block.
“You need to get a ball rolling, but if we had two or four (pieces of art), that might really be a good start,” he said.
PUBLIC ART
“There is a long history of art in public places,” Schwartz said. “Friends of the Arts looks forward to working to further this history; we are excited to do all we can to increase art opportunities for the new courthouse, and for this area.”
Downtown public art includes:
●A railway mural on the side of the antiques and furniture store on the south side of the railroad tracks
●Murals of pastoral Tuscan landscapes on the sides of now-closed Christopher’s Uncorked Bistro
●A mural of historic Crestview scenes on the side of Brad Stewart’s law office
●A “pipe man” rustic folk sculpture holding a metal pig silhouette outside Hub City Barbecue and Smokehouse
Schwartz said two other examples of public art can be found at the Crestview Public Library, including a mural depicting county history and “The Whiz Kid,” a bronze sculpture, both of which were presented by the Friends of the Crestview Library.
COURTHOUSE ART
The idea of a muralist creating art in the new courthouse is appealing — especially if it honors the area’s history and heritage, Wayne Harris, North Okaloosa County’s other commissioner, said.
“It better have a north-end theme to it,” he said. “I don’t want to see dolphins and fishing boats and turtles unless they’re gophers.”
Harris said a recent investors assessment, Main Street Merchants Association establishment and progress toward the new courthouse signal a potential rebirth for downtown Crestview.
“Downtown can be a showplace with that beautiful courthouse at the end of it,” Harris said. “We want it to be a picture of beauty.”
“We truly believe the entire county benefits whenever there is improvement or enhancement with art to any area within it,” Schwartz said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Does Crestview need more art? Mural generates discussion