News Summary
Chief Judge Lance Day has expressed serious security concerns regarding a proposed public art installation at the Duval County Courthouse. During a presentation to the City Council Finance Committee, he emphasized the need to reassess the project due to budget crises and potential safety risks. Although the initiative supports public art, the judge highlighted that the $600,000 installation, titled ‘These Truths,’ may disrupt security in a courthouse environment. The Cultural Council is currently reviewing these concerns before rescheduling discussions about the art piece.
Jacksonville – The Fourth Circuit Chief Judge Lance Day raised significant security concerns regarding a planned public art installation at the Duval County Courthouse during a presentation to the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee on August 14. The art project, part of the longstanding Art in Public Places initiative, is proposed for the 2-acre lawn in front of the courthouse, but Judge Day is urging a pause for further evaluation given the current budget crisis and questions about the installation’s appropriateness for such a sensitive location.
While Day voiced his support for the Art in Public Places initiative, which was established by an ordinance in 1997 requiring that 0.75% of city building construction budgets be allocated for public art, he expressed skepticism about this particular project. He described the $600,000 art installation as a “like” rather than a “need,” emphasizing that it should be critically assessed in light of safety considerations, particularly because courthouses are high-security environments.
The judge’s comments came in response to Finance Committee member Ron Salem’s inquiry about the art project during discussions on the proposed 2025-26 city budget. Although the City Council has mandated art projects in public spaces since the late 1990s, the discussion concerning this specific installation began during the courthouse’s construction in 2009. In 2006, the administration of the Art in Public Places program was entrusted to the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.
In an email correspondence sent to the Daily Record on August 18, Judge Day elaborated on the necessity for reviewing the project to mitigate security risks, noting that the courthouse may be susceptible to vandalism due to its high-profile nature and potential exposure during protests. He highlighted the need for protective measures, like bollards, which have been sought for many years but remain unfunded.
Day highlighted the importance of considering the courthouse’s specific operational and security needs when planning art installations. The Duval County Clerk of Courts, Jody Phillips, also supported Day’s concerns, suggesting that the proposed sculpture could disrupt the courthouse’s surroundings and heighten security risks given the anticipated foot traffic in the area.
Originally, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville had planned to convene an Artwork Selection Panel meeting on August 27 to discuss the installation of the selected piece titled “These Truths,” designed by artist Cliff Garten. This artwork features stainless steel ribbons inscribed with key terms such as “Justice,” “Equality,” “Truth,” and “Freedom,” along with excerpts from foundational American documents. However, the meeting was canceled in light of the raised security issues.
The selection process for this artwork included strict security guidelines that aimed to facilitate visibility and prevent long-term seating, trees, or water features in the design, aimed at ensuring security measures could be effectively implemented. Over 140 artists submitted designs for the courthouse project, with Garten ultimately chosen for his work, which is intended to both beautify and inspire dialogue around essential civic values.
The Cultural Council is currently working with stakeholders to address the concerns voiced by Judge Day and others before rescheduling the discussions about the public art project. As the conversation around public art at the courthouse continues, the balance between fostering creativity and ensuring security presents a complex challenge for city officials.
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- Wikipedia: Public art
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