Art at Giddens Park Story

Here is the official story on the Art at Giddens Park. But first is a letter from Lykes Foundation

To the Selection Committee:

I feel that I, as the F. E. Lykes Foundation, have failed you. The artists, selected by committee, became frustrated and disheartened. There were too many people to please. We obviously had a hard time understanding the vision Giddens has for itself. I now feel that it is imperative that the foundation get out of the way so the neighborhood can create their vision for their own community.

I take responsibility for getting Public Art involved in this process. However, now I feel much of their valuable time has been abused. So, with them out of the picture, the amount for the fountain reverts back to the original gift of $75,000. I think the foundation no longer needs to be a voice in the fountain selection process. I know Giddens will select a fountain that makes everyone happy and bring joy to the neighborhood for years to come. It remains my great pleasure to make a small contribution to this park.

The foundation must move on to other parks that have been waiting for our help. Robles Park in Tampa Heights was selected quite some time ago by the Greenprint committee. So many children and families need green spaces in which to play and come together. It is the mission of the F. E. Lykes Foundation to create peace, to create havens from discord. This is the not what has happened with Giddens. There have been lessons for me to learn from this experience.

Here is the article in the Tampa Tribune:
Jun 11, 2005

Artists Bow Out Of Giddens Park Fountain Project; Cost Cited
By KATHY STEELE
ksteele@tampatrib.com


SOUTHEAST SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - Two New York artists have pulled out of a project to create public art for an interactive fountain in Giddens Park.

An unexpected cost of nearly $40,000 to build the fountain is to blame, according to the artists and a representative of the Mayor's Beautification Program.

"We put a huge amount of effort into the project," artist Tim Watkins said.

But in May, Watkins said he and artist Carol May learned of the additional costs to have art and a water element where children could play. Jennifer Sterling, of the beautification program, said the costs were related to making the fountain safe for children.

"We thought we had it figured out. There just wasn't enough in the budget for all of the above," Watkins said. "We have to make a living at what we do."

Watkins denied speculation that he and May were frustrated by area residents' desire to be too involved in designing the art. Public art is about working with the community and administrators, Watkins said.

The artists, known for their "whirligig" designs, have public art on display in Orlando, Fort Pierce, Stuart and Jupiter.

When the artists dropped out, Tampa's Public Arts Program withdrew its $25,000 contribution. Plans to redesign the park will continue, and a $75,000 donation from the F.E. Lykes Foundation will pay for the fountain, minus the art.

"I was very disappointed," said Norma Gene Burr, president of the foundation. "I feel Tampa missed a wonderful opportunity with them."

Sterling said the park could have art if residents submit a new proposal to the city's public arts program.

May and Watkins submitted several designs for the fountain, three of which were voted on by some members of the Southeast Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association. The designs were variations of 1920s toys. Among a small number who voted by e-mail, a croquet-themed design won by a slim margin.

Some residents weren't happy with the designs and had thought they would be involved in the process from beginning to completion. They expected the art to reflect the history and look of the neighborhood, with its oak trees and bungalows.

"Tell us what our role is and we'll do it," resident David "Scott" Banghart said. "That was the biggest problem here, lack of clarification and communication."

An art selection committee that included neighborhood representatives was a liaison between the community and project managers. Burr said she brought the artists to Tampa at her expense and they toured Southeast Seminole Heights.

A few residents submitted ideas, and Banghart sent pictures of the neighborhood.

"I think we got into minutia too much," Burr said. "They really only had so much time and money, and they weren't getting paid enough."

Resident Andrew Baker served on the selection committee and presented the artists' designs at a neighborhood association meeting in May.

"There have been lessons learned," he said. "Input is important and needed and appropriate. I tried to have that at appropriate times."

Giddens Park is the first of 10 parks in Tampa that will be updated and redesigned as part of a Greenprinting initiative. A retention pond, parking lot, new grass and walkways have been added at Giddens. By August, fences and a gateway are expected to be installed, Sterling said.

The Mayor's Beautification Program -- a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization -- is a partner in the project, which is expected to cost more than $273,000. Most of the money is from a Community Development Block Grant provided by the city, Sterling said. The neighborhood association also gave money to the project.

The Lykes foundation is donating $75,000 to each of the 10 parks that will receive makeovers. Robles Park is next on the list.

Burr said the foundation hoped to finish one project a year. Giddens Park, scheduled for completion last October, has put the Greenprinting initiative about two years behind schedule, she said.

"We hope we can move forward quickly now that we don't have other issues," Sterling said.

Because Giddens Park was a pilot program for future projects, Burr said there will be a review of the process. In the future, she expects to have a written protocol for dealing with public art issues. Although neighborhood input in such projects is wanted, Burr said it probably should be "a tighter process."

This story can be found at: http://centraltampa.tbo.com/centraltampa/MGB6C7CWS9E.html