There is a standard steel picket fence that circles the Destination Sistrunk Cultural Center but a new public art project will brighten the exterior.
Fort Lauderdale-based artist Luke Jenkins received the commission to create an artwork that will add plenty of color to the fence. But he won’t be painting it; the artwork will look like undulating waves.
As an artist, Jenkins says the project was a dramatic departure for him based on the size and materials used, he confided.
“Usually I make furniture and objects using wood. So, when Broward County asked me to put together a few design proposals for this project, this was different from what I normally do in terms of material because this would be done using metal. But it had to be that way because the artwork is going to be outside; it needs to stand up to the elements,” says Jenkins.
The aluminum panels are cut using laser or waterjet technology. From there, the panels will be powder-coated, which is done using fine powdered plastic that is sprayed onto metal, to extend the longevity of the artwork.
The exterior of the panels will be a pale blue to contrast the yellow Destination Sistrunk building. As for the panel interiors, Jenkins said they will be coated in a variety of bright colors. Jenkins’ intention behind the design of this project is to make the space more inviting while reflecting its cultural significance to the area, he says.
The Broward Cultural Division provided $75,000 for the project partnering with Dickey Consulting Services, Inc., who contributed $25,800, to fund the project, with the goal of beautifying the exterior of the Destination Sistrunk building.
The Destination Sistrunk Cultural Center has become a sought-after destination for the Sistrunk community to get involved in the arts, cultural development, and historic preservation while supporting tourism in the historically Black neighborhood.
“I think the Broward Cultural Division wanted the fence to act as a visual anchor for people passing by,” says Jenkins. “So, creating a colorful and inviting installation like this will hopefully make more people aware of the space and what it has to offer.
While Jenkins will be designing the artwork to be installed on the Destination Sistrunk fence, he says the fabrication of the panels will be done by another local artist yet to be selected.
“I’m also serving as the project manager, so I’ll be overseeing the fabrication of the artwork done by another artist. I’ll be going over everything with him, which is new for me. This is the first project that I’ll have fully fabricated by someone else, but it’s an exciting new challenge,” says Jenkins.
The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2025.
