How has Broward County’s visual art scene evolved in the 21st century?
One route to the answer would be to travel about 25 miles south of the county line and 42 years back to the previous century.
That’s when, for two weeks in May of 1983, environmental artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude surrounded 11 islands in Biscayne Bay with day-glo pink polypropylene fabric. “Surrounded Islands” helped put Miami on the art-world map, a precursor to its becoming an international art mecca and home to the annual Art Basel exposition.
Today, one signpost to Broward County’s emergence as an art scene can be traced to that galvanizing moment, as the county has recently become the permanent location for the legacy of the landmark Surrounded Islands installation. Early this year, Fort Lauderdale’s NSU Art Museum unveiled its first glance of its “Surrounded Islands Documentation Exhibition.” Key sections of the transformative gift of the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation will remain on permanent display at the museum.
[RELATED: See the BAJA story: NSU Art Museum’s “Surrounded Islands.”]
Christo’s pink islands may be among the most recognizable reflections of Broward’s art evolution, but they’re only one color in a palette full of them. They range from major exhibitions in established museums to kaleidoscopic murals on city streets, from dazzling public light and technology installations to a singularly SoFla underwater cultural arts park. And that’s just scratching the surface.
To put the big picture in perspective, we asked two questions of a selection of Broward County visual artists and art scene movers and shakers:
“How has Broward’s art scene evolved in the 21st century? And what is/was your favorite artwork or art moment in Broward County?”
Their comments coalesce into a coming-of-age story, one colored by a greater interest in the visual arts; the emergence of arts centers that attract internationally recognized artists while also highlighting regional talent; an uptick in both private and public financial support; a proliferation of art walks, festivals and public art; the integration of digital technology, the inclusion of diverse voices, and the influence, interestingly, of Art Basel Miami Beach.
As one respondent described the Broward art scene: “It’s not just about creating art — it’s about fostering a community where creativity and expression can take root and flourish.”
David Horvitz
Real estate developer Horvitz and his wife, Fort Lauderdale artist Francie Bishop Good, are founders of Girls’ Club, a collection, foundation and alternative space that focuses almost exclusively on contemporary art by women artists. They are both past chairs of the board of the NSU Art Museum. girlsclubcollection.org
FAVORITE ARTWORK: I think this also answers the first question. Fran and I agree on this and here I speak for both of us. Our favorite art moment in Broward County was the first Art Basel in Miami Beach. Why? Because it was Art Basel that raised the profile of contemporary art in Miami. It was hugely popular. It catalyzed the creation of satellite fairs that catered to audiences of every race and socioeconomic group. It validated collectors. It empowered creators. It allowed for the establishment of new galleries, the expansion of museums, and the creation of new museums. It created demand for the expansion of fine arts programs at the University of Miami, Florida International University and elsewhere. It became a huge economic engine for Miami.
And all of this spilled into Broward. Not to be left behind, new entities that support the arts and artists, like Funding Arts Broward, were created. The Museum of Art became the NSU Art Museum with Director and Chief Curator Bonnie Clearwater, and its reputation and profile soared. The Community Foundation of Broward dramatically increased its support for the arts and artists in Broward County. And because of Art Basel, Broward became an arts destination in and of itself. Now, Miami and Broward are known for their commitment to the arts, and that makes each community a better place to live and work.
Nika Dotsenko
Known as CHROLIK, Dotsenko is a spatial-experience designer whose immersive, interactive multi-sensory environments involve live performances, video installations, 3D digital media and audiovisual experiences. Her Digital Arts series is on exhibition at MAD Arts in Dania Beach through Tuesday, May 13. instagram.com/chro.lik/
EVOLUTION: In the 21st century, the increasing integration of technology within the Broward art scene has enabled public installations and events such as IGNITE Broward to come to life. By creating immersive experiences, people of all age ranges are able to enjoy these pop-up activations, fostering accessibility and community. The way to engage with art has been redefined from its traditional formats, and we are embracing methods that are reshaping how audiences experience and interpret art. This has birthed a new genre of artists, such as myself, to find their place in the Broward art scene.
FAVORITE MOMENT: A defining part of my upbringing was attending the art walk at FATVillage. I fondly remember looking forward to the last Saturday of every month to witness the local art scene come together. Whether wandering the print shop, viewing art installations in the ArtsUp! warehouse, or jamming to a local band at Brew Urban Café, each visit sparked inspiration and strengthened my sense of community among both new and old friends. Though this era now exists only in memory, I look forward to the next wave of cultural activations in Broward.
Doug McCraw
Collector and founder of the FATVillage Arts District in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The former site of FATVillage Artwalks, the district is presently under new construction. fatvillage.com
EVOLUTION: Broward County’s art scene has undergone a profound transformation over the past few decades. When we started FATVillage, there wasn’t much in the way of an established contemporary art scene. The arts were seen as more peripheral, something that didn’t yet have its place at the center of the community. But we had a vision to create an environment where artists could not only work but also showcase cutting-edge, contemporary work that would engage the local and international communities.
As we entered the 21st century, there was a shift. The rise of new art districts like FATVillage played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape. We began to see artists from diverse backgrounds bringing their voices to the table. And what’s been really exciting is watching the convergence of visual arts with technology, performance, and multimedia. We’ve also seen a growing emphasis on public art and its integration into urban development. There’s a recognition now that art isn’t something confined to gallery spaces — it can be part of the fabric of the city itself. FATVillage, for example, isn’t just a space for exhibitions; it’s a place for creative dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.
In many ways, Broward’s art scene is still evolving, and the potential for it to continue growing is immense. FATVillage will be finished completely in 2027. We will be bringing back art walks with artist studios, gallery space and lots of new activities. We’re attracting world-class talent, we’re building stronger ties to the international art market, and we’re making space for all kinds of artists to thrive. It’s not just about creating art — it’s about fostering a community where creativity and expression can take root and flourish.
FAVORITE ARTWORK: It has to be the Duane Hanson “Vendor With Walkman” piece in Terminal 3 at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. It’s one of those works that never fails to captivate me — it’s visually engaging, incredibly lifelike, and always fun. Hanson’s ability to create such realistic sculptures that blend into everyday spaces really speaks to the power of public art. But beyond that, what’s really exciting right now is the IGNITE Broward festival. It’s the newest and most thrilling addition to Broward’s art scene, developed by Phillip Dunlap and the Broward County Cultural Division. It’s already making a tremendous economic impact, and it showcases how far the art scene has come by celebrating creativity in all forms. Watching the evolution of the arts in Broward, and seeing events like IGNITE take off, is incredibly rewarding.
Laura Atria
Manager of Pompano Beach’s Public Art and Artist in Residence Program, as well as the president of the Florida Association of Public Art Professionals and owner of LMN Arts, LLC. instagram.com/laura_atria_art
EVOLUTION: Broward has become a home for digital and installation artworks. Programs like MAD Arts and IGNITE Broward have helped the county really make a name for itself in the digital art world.
FAVORITE ARTWORK: “The Underwater Sculpture Garden” in Pompano Beach is my favorite artwork. In 2016, the city along with other partners sunk a 324-foot tanker vessel named “Lady Luck” to create an artificial reef off Pompano’s shore. This ship is one of the biggest contributions to Florida’s artificial reef system and one of the most easily accessible major dive sites in the nation. It is also the centerpiece of what is known as Shipwreck Park and is surrounded by 16 other existing wrecks covered with marine life. Shipwreck Park is a unique underwater cultural arts park with rotating underwater art exhibits to create a unique dive experience. The city has also commissioned, sunk and attached two additional artworks to “Lady Luck: Pirate’s Treasure Chest” by Donald Gialanella and “Mechan H2O” by Tyler FuQua Creations. The Public Art Committee is currently working with Velvet Anvil on a sculpture, titled “Seahorse,” which will be installed on-land for one year and then attached to the “Lady Luck.”
Patricia Zeiler
For the past 11 years, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale museum. historyfortlauderdale.org
EVOLUTION: A huge uptick in the last 25 years has been the creation of the other arts centers or arts co-ops or visual arts organizations like Capital Arts on Las Olas Boulevard — independent entrepreneurs who are promoting the visual arts, funding or sponsoring art exhibits, working to promote public art projects. So what I don’t think we had 25 years ago was these kinds of independent art galleries and arts promoters who were actually promoting public programming.
I think there’s a lot more interest in visual arts. A lot of that falls back to the Broward County Cultural Division and its major changes, like the wonderful new IGNITE Broward. That’s a pretty huge thing that’s never happened before in Broward County. Pompano Beach is doing amazing things. Coral Springs Center for the Arts and The Frank museum in Pembroke Pines are great additions.
Another big asset in the last 25 years has been Broward Business for the Arts out of BBX Capital and its huge support of visual arts and a sponsorship in dollars. I mean, 25 years ago, I think probably we had the Los Olas Art Festival, but I can’t think of other exhibits and other opportunities like what Business for the Arts of Broward is offering. Their money is where their mouth is in art exhibits around our downtown and bringing in major speakers in the visual arts to sort of build a community of interested people who are looking to buy art and support artists.
Even look at my small museum, which opened in 1962 and is one of the oldest museums in the county. My third floor is now dedicated to our artist co-op where I have six visual artists-in-residence. We provide them exhibit space and a lot of marketing. They sell a lot of their works to our guests visiting the museums. Our curators work with between 70 and 100 artists each year, from any kind of medium, any kind of style.
The other piece I like is opportunities for student artists and younger artists to have exhibit opportunities. For example, we have a wonderful partnership with the Dillard Center for the Performing Arts, the AP Visual Arts Program. And we have those students in every February and a couple of them sold pieces this year. They really liked that. It’s great on those students’ resumes when they apply for college that they’ve actually had an exhibition at a museum.
FAVORITE ARTWORK: The Jonathan Greene Festival I ran for the Broward County Cultural Division in 2008, a county-wide celebration around the art of Jonathan Green, who at the time lived in Florida. It brought together Broward County schools with multiple local disciplines featuring works based on Green’s art, including a poetry contest, exhibits at galleries and private homes, and a classical musical and dance performance inspired by the artist’s work.
Patricia Schnall Gutierrez
Established multidisciplinary artist who lives in Fort Lauderdale and has a studio in Hollywood. psgarts.com
EVOLUTION: Visiting from the NYC metropolitan area in 2005, my husband and I were drawn to the energy of an evolving art scene and an emerging arts district called Wynwood (in Miami). By 2007, we had relocated to Wynwood and lived and worked during its incredible transformation. As Wynwood grew and became commercialized, I yearned for another area with artistic potential and affordability.
Hollywood caught my eye. The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood stood out with some exceptional exhibitions under the then curator, Jane Hart. Girls’ Club remained a vital platform for contemporary women artists. Meanwhile, Bonnie Clearwater, formerly of MOCA in Miami, had just taken the helm at the NSU Art Museum. Seeing all this momentum, we leaped and made Broward our home in 2017.
By 2025, the art scene here has come into its own. Collectives like SOBRA, initiatives from the Broward County Cultural Division, and the integration of the metaverse have expanded opportunities for artists to connect and collaborate.
[RELATED: See the BAJA story: Broward County’s Public Art in the Metaverse]
As the art community continues to grow, the county’s reputation as a serious art hub is spreading in and outside of Florida. Our museums continue to attract and exhibit internationally recognized artists while also highlighting the region’s talent. And the most exciting part? The evolution is still unfolding.
I am a true art museum enthusiast — museums have always felt like home to me. So when we moved to Fort Lauderdale, living next door to the NSU Art Museum just made sense. I am never disappointed at the exhibitions and each one seems to surpass the last. Most recently the exhibition about the 1983 installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in Biscayne Bay blew me away. What an undertaking. Though I was unable to see the installation firsthand, experiencing the drawings and planning was incredible.
Our other museum venues, including the Art and Culture Center in Hollywood, The Frank in Pembroke Pines, and the Coral Springs Museum of Art, always impress and introduce new and exciting shows.
FAVORITE ARTWORK: Although the museums are generally my go-to spots for much of my favorite art, I am also impressed by much of the new public art making its way into Broward County. Each art experience adds something new, and picking one would be an injustice to the others I fall in love with.
Finn Casson
Resident gallery manager and curator of ArtServe, a community-focused multi-purpose facility and gallery in Fort Lauderdale. artserve.org
EVOLUTION: One element that I welcome is the inclusion and elevation of diverse voices. An aspect of my career that I thoroughly enjoy is looking over proposals for art exhibitions that have been funded through county grants. I am continually blown away by the unique perspectives and ideas that are presented, and the finished installations are beautiful and share a story worth telling. These shows not only aid in elevating the local art scene, but they more accurately represent the true diversity of Broward County, and how beautiful that diversity is.
FAVORITE ARTWORK: As a Broward native, but specifically as someone who lived in West Hollywood for essentially my entire life, one of the most exciting evolutions of the art scene has been the increased acceptance and installation of public murals. The Art Walks have revitalized the area, and the murals, while nice to look at, also serve the arguably more important service of providing work and exposure to so many different artists, in a wide range of styles. This push for public art is something I have continued to notice the further north I have worked, with new murals appearing in Fort Lauderdale seemingly daily. This beautification of our public spaces has breathed new life into areas that I remember once being largely deserted, and, if nothing else, provides something unique and interesting to look at other than just billboards.
Jennifer Homan
Executive director of the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. artandculturecenter.org
EVOLUTION: There has been a more significant commitment to the arts in Broward County over the last decade. You see the results of the investments from municipalities and county funds in more sculpture installations, mural designs and inspired building architecture. Given the growth of Art Basel Miami Beach as the largest art fair in the world, the South Florida art scene has expanded significantly. Many artists have started moving to Broward to find more affordable housing and studio spaces. There also has been increased focus to represent the multicultural influences of our South Florida resident artists, which has created a unique aesthetic not found in other regions.
We are seeing a push back to the old-guard “elite” view of art to the importance placed on storytelling and creating connection to the work. The artists’ story is central — why do they prefer a certain medium, what inspires them, what influences or life experiences color their narrative? Who are they, and why?
FAVORITE ARTWORK: IGNITE Broward is a phenomenal public art festival that has been added to the Broward County arts landscape by the Broward County Cultural Division and MAD Arts. There is nothing like it in the world in terms of scale and public accessibility to cutting-edge digital art design. The emergence of technology in our daily lives makes connecting art and technology a very natural step. It is a medium more easily consumed and received by the average resident or visitor. The approach is not as intimidating as other fine art forms and can be a great bridge to engaging people in more traditional art mediums. IGNITE Broward has the propensity to turn into a national/international destination festival draw.
Reflections of the Broward Arts Evolution
The contributions from the above commentators are themselves reflections of the evolution of which they spoke. They paint a picture of a visual arts scene that touches every compass point in the county. Enlivened by both private and public support, it is eclectic, vibrant and visible from streets to parks, festivals to shows, studios to galleries, building facades to museum walls and beyond — and whose cutting-edge exponents are already embracing the future.
