The 20th Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition is on display on the Lemon Street Promenade through the end of 2020. Many may not be aware that the sculptures found on Lemon Street are a part of a special exhibit of sculptures that rotate annually. This year’s competition has brought a diverse array of sculptures to those blocks of downtown Lakeland.
In the fall of 2019, artists submitted applications through an online application process for consideration in the 2020 show. A jury comprised of City staff, Polk Museum of Art representatives and members from the local arts community gathered to review the pieces of art. Artists submitted more than 70 sculptures for review, with the jury picking 11 of the very best to be displayed along Lemon Street.
The 10 pieces of art cover three blocks of Lemon Street between South Florida and Massachusetts Avenue. The artwork along the Lemon Street Promenade provides a great aesthetic that can be enjoyed on a weekend stroll or during a lunch break. This year’s sculptures offer a variety of different mediums. One can find a peacock made of silverware with Flaminio Antonio’s “The Elegance of Simplicity,” to the hard metal shapes and lines in Rollin Karg’s “Second Chance.” This year’s sculptures feature two from Polk County, “Rusty the Robot,” on the corner of South Florida and Lakeland’s own Keith Williams’ “Seasons of Life.”
Pam Page, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, said, “The sculptures on Lemon Street were introduced to provide free access to public art for all who live and visit our community. We are fortunate to live in a City that recognizes the value of public art that introduces culture and well-being.”
Congratulations to this year's People Choice Award Winner, sculptor Flaminio Antonio's Ruthless
A Note from the Artist
This sculpture is composed of hundreds of forks, spoons and knife handles. Its base is a car rim, along with a pedestal made out of a squared tube.
FLOSC Sculpture
The Elegance of Simplicity
Medium: Scrap metal/forks/spoons/knife handles; mixed media
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Visit Flaminio Antonio Sculptures on Facebook to learn more about the artist!
A Note from the Artist
This sculpture is composed of hundreds of pieces of scrap metal, iron, and steel—all of them in good condition. Every piece has been welded with mig and coated electrode. The shark is anchored to a metal base. It is painted with a special clear lacquer that protects it from weather corrosion.
FLOSC Sculpture
Ruthless
Medium: Scrap metal, iron, steel; mixed media
Learn More
Visit Flaminio Antonio Sculptures on Facebook to learn more about the artist!
A Note from the Artist
An easily-recognizable heart form, with an interesting geometry, and play between front/back, interior/exterior; the industrial nature of the aluminum diamond plate is balanced by the warm red of the interior. The low-polygon form was developed with an advanced algorithm and cut with a water cannon.
FLOSC Sculpture
Low-Poly Open Heart (RIDE)
Medium: Hydro-Cut Welded Aluminum Diamond Plate, Tractor Paint
Learn More
Visit mlduffy.com to learn more about the artist!
A Note from the Artist
The Eagle is a national emblem, representing strength, audacity, and most of all, freedom. Freedom is made of metal rebars flowing through space creating a flow of energy rising to the sky with waves that create a shadow of transparency to form The Eagle.
FLOSC Sculpture
Freedom
Medium: Steel
FLOSC Sculpture
Second Chance
Medium: Iron
Learn More
Visit RollinKarg.com to learn more about the artist!
A Note from the Artist
A seated child looks up in an inspired moment from reading a poem by Langston Hughes.
FLOSC Sculpture
Inspired by a Poem
Medium: Bronze
Learn More
Visit mjkirby-smith.com to learn more about the artist!
A Note from the Artist
“Prevail” is a sculpture that references the moment a seedling emerges from dormancy. This work examines repetitive cycles and singular events of significance, as well as the ability to overcome adversity.
FLOSC Sculpture
Prevail
Medium: Painted steele
Learn More
Visit JoeyManson.com to learn more about the artist!
FLOSC Sculpture
Ancient Protocol
Medium: Steel/zinc-nickel plating/patina
Learn More
Visit TheChicagoBlacksmith.com to learn more about the artist!
FLOSC Sculpture
Gliding in Time
Medium: Stainless Steel
A Note from the Artist
This beautiful Hibiscus and Honeybee piece was designed out of retired Honey drum lids from Kelley's Apiaries. 9' tall and welded to an industrious blacktop. It provides the passerby with a snapshot of the beauty around us. Each season of life is represented from left to right, bud to a petal.
FLOSC Sculpture
Seasons of Life
Medium: Painted metal
FLOSC Sculpture
Rusty the Robot
Medium: Metal
The artist of this piece wishes to remain anonymous.
