C7AU - Select Marjory Stoneman Mural Artist

Resolutions - C7 AU

C7 AU A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE SELECTION OF CHRISTINA PETTERSON (ARTIST) AND A PUBLIC ART COMMISSION FOR AN ART IN PUBLIC PLACES MURAL OF MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS TO BE LOCATED AT MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS PARK, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES (AIPP) COMMITTEE AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD; WITH FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 FOR THE PUBLIC ART PROJECT ALLOCATED AND AVAILABLE IN THE AIPP FUND IN THE FY 2026 BUDGET. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt the Resolution.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

At the March 5, 2024, Miami Beach Commission for Women meeting, members made a motion to honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas for her contributions to South Florida with a mural at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park (“the Park”). On April 3, 2024, at the request of Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez, a discussion item (C4 R) was referred to the April 17, 2024, Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) meeting to discuss the motion.

Following the PSNQLC favorable recommendation, Dr. Lynette Long, Chair of the Miami Beach Commission for Women, presented to the Art in Public Places (AiPP) Committee at the June 18, 2024, meeting. The Call to Artists, project budget, and directive for the Tourism & Culture Department (TCD) to identify measurements informing the project scope were approved by the Committee and communicated via LTC#247-2024.

At the July 18, 2024, AiPP Committee meeting, TCD staff recommended pursuing direct selection for the commissioned artist based on the available budget of $15,000 identified. Artist Christina Pettersson (“the Artist”) was in turn invited to develop a corresponding proposal and present options for the mural on the Park’s restroom facility west-facing wall. The Artist selected mural depicts Marjory Stoneman Douglas relaxing in the habitat she spent her life protecting. The funding for this project was allocated from the Art in Public Places Fund and appropriated in the current budget.

At the May 20, 2025, AiPP Committee Meeting, Committee members selected the mural proposal by the Artist for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas project and communicated via LTC #303-2025. The Artist will install a concrete vinyl mural measuring approximately 16 feet wide and approximately 6 feet tall honoring Marjory Stoneman Douglas at her namesake park on the restroom facility’s west-facing wall.

At the October 21, 2025, Historic Preservation Board (HPB) meeting, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas mural proposal, file number HPB25-0666, by artist Christina Pettersson received unanimous approval. Proposal attached.

ANALYSIS

Project Description:

Christina Pettersson’s selected mural depicts Marjory Stoneman Douglas relaxing in the Everglades habitat she spent her life protecting, along with the flora and fauna of South Florida.

Christina Pettersson was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and raised in Miami, Florida. She creates large-scale drawings, videos, installations, and collaborative performances that delve into Florida’s hidden histories and endangered ecosystems. Rooted in public engagement and cross- disciplinary collaboration, her practice invites audiences to connect more deeply with the landscapes and stories in their own backyards. Her work reflects reverence for the wilderness of a bygone era and the haunting beauty of a world in decline.

Pettersson is a Fulbright Scholar and the recipient of numerous awards, including a Knight Arts Challenge Grant, a Wavemaker Grant, two Ellies Creator Awards, and three Florida Cultural Consortium Fellowships. Her work is held in the collections of the Perez Art Museum Miami, Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, Bass Museum of Art, the Margulies Collection, and the Four Seasons Hotel.

Proposed Location:

Located in the heart of South Beach, Marjory Stoneman Douglas (“The Park”) is a serene public space offering a mix of natural beauty and family-friendly amenities. The Park features a shaded playground, as well as open grassy areas, perfect for picnics or relaxing by the ocean breeze. The Park is also equipped with public restrooms and water fountains. With direct access to the beach and a welcoming atmosphere, the park is a cherished spot for locals and tourists alike. In addition to the mentioned amenities, the Park will include a unique commissioned work of art as part of the AiPP Collection.

The AiPP program is a city board responsible for the commission and purchase of artwork by contemporary artists in all media. The program is funded from 2% of hard costs for city projects and joint private/public projects. Funds from construction projects may be aggregated into the AiPP Fund and allocated for artwork at public sites and for collection maintenance. The fund is administered by a City Commission-appointed citizen’s board of seven members, the AiPP Committee.

The scope of work for the selected Artist, includes providing, delivering and installing a custom art piece for the Park. This includes design therein with applicable material. The selected proposal was required to provide a maintenance plan for the care of artwork.

The pre-determined potential location for placement of the artwork included the Park’s restroom facility’s west-facing wall. (Proposal attached).

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Funding for the Art in Public Places Project in Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park in the amount of $15,000 is allocated and available in the Art in Public Places fund in the FY2026 budget.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

AiPP Fund 147-6150-000312-25-406-555-00-00-00-

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the selection of Christina Pettersson’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas public artwork, as recommended by the Art in Public Places Committee and the Historic Preservation Board, to be sited at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park; with funding in the amount of $15,000 allocated and available in the AiPP fund in the FY 2026 budget.

Applicable Area

South Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Tourism and Culture

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt Commissioner Laura Dominguez Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Approve Artist Selection and Mural for Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park. (TB/LD/AF) TC