GULF BREEZE, FLA. (October 19, 2012)--As the October dusk settled on Woodland Park, a curtain was dropped to unveil Gulf Breeze’s newest sculpture, a glowing 22-foot sculpture that adds to the community’s public art program.

“Starlight” symbolizes “hope, transformation and illumination,” said the sculptor, Pensacola artist Lou-Mitchell Courtney.

It also shows that Gulf Breeze is “willing to take risks” and “encourage higher-order thinking,” Mayor Beverly Zimmern told a crowd of more than 150 gathered at the park Wednesday evening (Oct. 17) for the unveiling.

“Art is enriched through discussion, either pro or con,” Zimmern said.

The project ultimately will feature at least five sculptures on public property around the community. Zimmern said one goal is to establish Gulf Breeze as an “art destination” for tourists; she said the city has applied for funding from BP, which must pay for the 2010 oil spill that damaged the Gulf Coast’s economy and environment.

“Starlight” was sponsored by AppRiver, which made the donation as a corporate citizen proud to be in Gulf Breeze since 2002.

“We expect to be here for many years to come,” said Michael Murdoch, chief executive officer of the high-tech firm, which has clients around the globe.

Courtney said “perspiration and inspiration” combined to create the sculpture, which was approved by a citizen committee headed by Dr. Steve Zieman, Gulf Breeze’s “artist in residence.”

Zimmern described Zieman as “the heart and soul” of the project for his work raising money for not just the sculptures but also sidewalks, benches and other amenities to make the art accessible to the general public.

She said the “citizen-driven initiative” prompted her and the City Council to support the proposal for public art.

The first sculpture, “Fuego,” was erected at Wayside park, near the Three Mile Bridge, in April; its lights can be programmed in thousands of different combinations.

Media Note: For more information, please contact Caron Sjoberg or Mark O’Brien at (850) 434-9095 or carons@ideaworksusa.com or marko@ideaworksusa.com