City selects finalists for May Street and San Marco intersection art installation

Public meetings to be held before final selection

The City’s Public Art Committee has selected three finalists out of a pool of 96 applicants who submitted their proposals for the art installation at the May Street and San Marco intersection. The application period began in March after the Committee went through the necessary steps to host the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process.

Among other requirements, the initial designs that were submitted for consideration had to be original in nature and adhere to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) requirements while being able to withstand extreme weather conditions and heavy traffic, ensuring structural integrity while demanding minimal maintenance and cost. Further, the art installation will serve as a reflection of St. Augustine’s diverse culture. 

“We had an incredible amount of talent to select from and much to consider for this installation,” said Vice Mayor Roxanne Horvath. “All three artists who were selected as finalists have a rich history in creating large scale art installations that meet all roadway safety standards.”

The following finalists were selected by the Public Art Committee:

Vicki Scuri

Vicki Scuri is an Interdisciplinary Artist and Designer. Scuri’s projects are best known for symbolic pattern work, the play of sunlight and shadow over sculptural form, and her ability to address the entire site as a canvas. Her practice includes design team collaborations, mentoring interns, public engagement, public art master planning, and promoting economic development through the Arts. She has been recognized for her over 35 years of experience in the public art realm. 

 Ivan Depeña

Ivan Depeña is a full-time artist with Hispanic heritage, with a master’s degree in architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Born and raised in Miami, Depeña has lived and worked in Boston, San Francisco, Miami, and New York City before settling with his family in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their projects have earned recognition, including awards like the Arts Public Art Network Year in Review for “Air/Traffic/Control” in 2019, “Surface" in 2018, and “Reflect” in 2012. Depena has over 15 years of experience collaborating with architects, fabricators, and engineers.

Patrick Marold

Patrick Marold has been creating public art for over two decades. Marold takes the unique context of each location and embraces it when considering design and execution. Marold received his bachelor’s degree of fine arts in industrial design from Rhode Island School of Design. He has designed many public art commissions including at the Denver International Airport, the Delgany Pedestrian Bridge in Denver, and at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport, among others. 

The two alternates are Matthew Mazzotta (first alternate) and Matt Niebuhr (second alternate).

At this time, no specific designs have been submitted from the finalists for this project, nor will anything be accepted until public input has been received. The Public Art Committee will host two public meetings in May. 

On Tuesday, May 14 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, there will be an opportunity for the public to offer suggestions and their personal visions for the art installation directly to the artists at a meet and greet at The Waterworks (184 San Marco Ave). This meeting will begin with a brief description of the selection process, including a slideshow that will provide examples of each of the artists’ work. Following the presentation, each artist will introduce themselves to the public which will be followed by a question-and-answer portion. The meeting will conclude with a reception where the public will have the opportunity to interact one on one with the artists.

On Wednesday, May 15 at 9:00am, the Public Art Committee will host a public meeting in the Alcazar Room of City Hall (75 King Street). During this meeting, each artist will go before the Committee to answer questions about themselves and their work. 

The following is the estimated schedule moving forward (all dates are subject to change):

May 14            Public meet and greet at the Waterworks

May 15            Public meeting at City Hall

June 28            Finalists deadline to submit a site-specific proposal

July 9               Finalists to present their proposal to the Public Art Committee at public meeting

July 30             Public Art Committee to recommend ranking of finalists’ proposals to City Commission

August 12       City Commission to determine final ranking

 For complete information on the three finalists and two alternates, visit the City’s site.

For media inquiries, contact Harley Miller, Communications Specialist, at 904.209.4208.