The City of Dania Beach is experiencing unprecedented growth with the addition of commercial and residential developments in all sectors of the city. This rapid change to the built environment and influx of new residents has presented an opportunity to consider the appearance of the city of the future. City leaders recognize the potential to transform Dania Beach for the benefit of citizens, while highlighting its charm, character, potential, and history through public art. Examples of City and CRA investment in public art are described below.
Honor the Legacy: The Honor the Legacy project was a CRA project envisioned to create a downtown self-guided walking tour featuring artistic markers referencing the legacy and history of Dania Beach as shared by the community and visualized by the artist Gary Moore. The artistic markers are not intended to be historic landmarks that correlate with specific sites or properties. The aim is to create an experience for residents and tourists while paying homage to Dania Beach places, moments, culture, heritage, leaders, pioneers, and other elements that make up part of the rich legacy of Dania Beach.
The project consisted of seven artistic markers, approximately 2 feet tall and 11 inches wide, depicting a period or element of Dania’s history. Each marker is mounted to a solar light pole surrounding the entry to City Hall.
“Let LOVE Guide Your Way”: “Let LOVE Guide Your Way” is an eye-catching kinetic sculpture. It is a candy-red, free-standing weathervane that stands 16 feet high and weighs 5,000 pounds. The 15.5-foot rotating wind vane is a Cupid’s Arrow. The kinetic sculpture was the highlight of the 2019 & 2021 International Kinetic Art Exhibit and Symposium. The piece is permanently displayed at the Dania Beach City Hall in the Arts Park, alongside SW 1st Avenue.
South Florida public artist Lloyd Goradesky‘s famed interactive art project celebrates kindness, and shares the message of universal LOVE, while encouraging compassion, consideration, and tolerance for everyone.
Totor: Totor is a permanent sculpture in Dania Beach! French artist Stéphane Bolongaro donated one of his world-renowned Totor art sculptures to the City of Dania Beach. The eight-foot sculpture is the first of the Totor series in Broward County. Totor is a work from the artist’s imagination, but the idea was loosely inspired by his mother’s Jack Russel dog. Different versions of Totor can be found in cities around the world, cruising by on a bike or skateboard, leaning on a tree, or sitting on a bench.
Totor was first unveiled at Dania Pointe. And was subsequently moved to his permanent home in Arts Park, at the Dania Beach City Hall.
