ArtLife announces new city-wide public art initiative: “A Community Portrait: West Palm Beach”

The Mayor’s Office of the City of West Palm Beach and ArtLife WPB announce a new City-wide public art performative project titled A Community Portrait: West Palm Beach. This community building public art project is led by the artist, photographer, and creative producer duo Christine Wexler and Luigerman Gomez.

Through the platform of public art, the lens of photography, and the inspiration of the Inside Out Project platform, Wexler, Gomez, and their team will visit neighborhoods, community centers, public spaces, and cultural institutions from Aug. 24 – Sept. 14, 2024, to document stories and take participants’ portraits. This will be implemented through a variety of hands-on workshops and one-on- one conversations. A Community Portrait: West Palm Beach aims to capture 500+ individuals who make up the great City of West Palm Beach.

On Aug. 30, 2024, The Norton Museum of Art will host a Community Portrait Day during Art After Dark; and on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, CityPlace will host its own Community Portrait Day at newly opened maman from 4-6pm and from 6-8pm on the lawn where live music will be featured. The public is invited to participate and have their portrait taken during either of these events. For inquiries about Norton’s Community Portrait Day, please contact Charlee Nolan at nolanc@norton.org; and for CityPlace’s Community Portrait Day, please contact Eileen Sturgis at esturgis@related.com.

This creative initiative supports the interaction and connection of the vibrant communities and cultures that make up West Palm Beach. Through photography, film, and the Inside Out Project (IOP)-inspired platform, the project aims to highlight the rich fabric of our community. IOP was created by artist JR to help communities around the world project their beliefs and values and make connections through public art. To date, IOP has impacted more than 500,000 people in 149 countries and territories. During Nov. 9 – 22, 2024, the creative team will return to West Palm Beach for a multi-location, large scale installation of all the individual portraits taken during the workshop phase here in the City of West Palm Beach.

This performative-based project physically creates a temporary snapshot of the community through a multitude of black & white portraits of participants, creating a synergy of inclusivity. The project aims to create art that is inclusive, accessible, dynamic, and inspirational.

A Community Portrait: West Palm Beach is funded through the City’s public art program ArtLife WPB. All updates will be posted to the project’s City webpage.

For more information about this project, please contact Sybille Canthal, Director of Arts, Culture and Community Building at scanthal@wpb.org or (561) 822-1521.

Join the conversation on social media! Follow @ArtLifeWPB & @TheCityOfWPB — and use #CommunityPortraitWPB when posting about this new public art project.

###

About The City of West Palm Beach:
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the region with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and/or LinkedIn.

About ArtLife:
ArtLife WPB is the public art program of the City of West Palm Beach, Florida. ArtLife projects capture the diverse, contemporary beat and rich history that make West Palm Beach a destination city. For more information about ArtLife WPB, please visit www.wpb.org/Residents/ArtLife-WPB or contact Sybille Canthal, Director of Arts, Culture, and Community Building at (561) 822-1521 or scanthal@wpb.org.

About CityPlace:
CityPlace, developed, owned and managed by Related Ross, is Downtown West Palm Beach’s most visited shopping, dining and entertainment destination located in the heart of the City’s bustling urban core. Since its creation in 2000, CityPlace has transformed into a well-connected neighborhood that is committed to working with the best local artists, chefs, creatives, entrepreneurs and fitness enthusiasts – culminating in an exceptional district to live, work and visit in South Florida. For more information about CityPlace, please visit www.cityplace.com.

About the Norton Museum of Art:
Founded in 1941 by Ralph Hubbard Norton and his wife, Elizabeth Calhoun Norton, The Norton Museum of Art collects, preserves, and exhibits art, and engages the public through diverse special exhibitions, publications, and events. Programs, lectures, and workshops are held year-round, with an emphasis on activating works on view and inspiring the public through the power of art. The Museum is internationally known for its collection of nearly 9,000 works of art in American Art, Chinese Art, Contemporary Art, European Art, and Photography.

About the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach:
Founded in 1895, the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach has evolved from a modest Reading Room along the waterfront to an innovative and cutting-edge facility located in the heart of Downtown West Palm Beach. The Mandel Public Library provides a wide range of programming for kids, teens, and adults focused on creating inspired lives by connecting people with information and ideas. Programming is supported by the West Palm Beach Library Foundation. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call (561) 868-7700 (TTY: 800-955-8771).