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20 ‘one-of-a-kind’ heron sculptures to be installed around Okaloosa County

The Okaloosa Public Arts (OPA) has recently embarked on an exciting project to place 20 herons scattered throughout the county.  The goal of this project is to raise awareness of the […]

SOURCE: Okaloosa Public Arts

The Okaloosa Public Arts (OPA) has recently embarked on an exciting project to place 20 herons scattered throughout the county. 

  • The project involves painting pre-fabricated 5-foot tall three-dimensional fiberglass herons with one-of-a-kind designs that will be installed in various locations around Okaloosa County with the help of the county.

The goal of this project is to raise awareness of the arts in the community and to showcase the talents of local artists. After a thorough review process, the OPA narrowed down all the entries and finally chose the final 20 designs. The selection process was no small undertaking and the OPA is very appreciative of the talent and unique designs of the artists who submitted their ideas.

The herons are now completed and in the process of being clear coated and prepared for final installation. A map of locations will be released soon.

“Fancy Feathers by Jeanne Thomas” (Okaloosa Public Arts)

The OPA is also planning to host a reception on February 1st at 5pm at the Okaloosa County Administrative Building in Shalimar to unveil the herons. The community is invited to come out and celebrate the arts in Okaloosa County.

Jailbird by Rick Otoupalik (Okaloosa Public Arts)

The 20 artists chosen for the project are:

  1. Bernadette Sims
  2. Toni Dineen
  3. Rick Otoupalik
  4. Thalia Newton and Pam Folse
  5. Alanna Grayce Campbell
  6. Alexandra Sharp
  7. Arthur Jenkins
  8. Becky Brice Nash
  9. Dori Lewman
  10. Helen Harris
  11. Jeanne Thomas
  12. Joy Harris
  13. Lexy Adams
  14. Pat Z. Roberts
  15. Patricia Basque
  16. Sharon LaPine
  17. Daria Knapp
  18. Ruta
  19. Anne Johnston
  20. Sheila Mahony
Glory by Patricia Basque (Okaloosa Public Arts)

10 Responses

  1. I’m so excited! I hope we get a map for where they are located! When they did the pelican in Pensacola they were hard to find! What a great project!!!!!!

  2. Can’t wait to see them. Hope to see a map to them, so I can gets pictures of them !! I love art! People are so incredibly talented!!!!!

  3. I want to see them but need specific location within the listed location. For example, i drove around the Destin Commons and couldnt find it. Asked several shop employees but they hadnt even heard of it. Help!

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