Lawyers, jurors, those looking to obtain a marriage license and others seeking county services will enter the doors to a new Plantation Key Courthouse & Government Center in a week.
A 48,240-square-foot facility will open to the public during a grand opening on Thursday, June 2. Not only will people see new courtrooms and offices, but they’ll also view some unique pieces of art. Some tell the history of Plantation Key, while others allow those in stressful situations to get their mind off their matters for a moment.
In total, seven works of art are hung on the walls of the government center’s first and second floors. Elizabeth Young, Florida Keys Council of the Arts executive director, said Monroe County’s 1% public art program funded the art project. A committee of five members, each appointed by a county commissioner, and three stakeholders selected the art work. County Court Judge Luis Garcia, Clerk of the Court Kevin Madock and Trial Court Administrator Holly Elomina were the stakeholders.
With the committee’s recommendation for new artwork came approval by the county commissioners. The project totaled $209,000. Young said the artwork brings the color, fauna, history and feeling of Plantation Key into the new building.
“Each piece was curated to bring that sense of calm and color into the building because it’s a beige, white building,” she said. “It’s a beautiful building, but we wanted it to feel beautiful and unique, and that’s why the artwork was chosen.”
Of the seven pieces, three are from working Monroe County artists: Sally Binard and Lothar Speer, both of Key West, and John David Hawver of Islamorada. The other four pieces of art were done by out-of-county artists. They include Dayton Claudio of Chico, California; Christian Eckart of Houston, Texas; Maureen Melville of McLean, Virginia; and Lori Nozick of Los Angeles, California.
Work on the new government center began in October 2019. Among the services housed at the new facility are the Monroe County Sheriff’s detention facility, Monroe County Public Works, State Attorney’s Office, Monroe County Clerk of the Court and the 16th Judicial Circuit of Florida. These services were previously located in the old building adjacent to the new facility. According to Upper Keys historian Jerry Wilkinson, the original building, a sheriff substation, was built in 1958 with additions, such as the courthouse and other government offices, dedicated in 1967.
Visit keysarts.com/public_art/aipplaces.html for more information about art in public places.
