Rosemary Square is home to Palm Beach County's largest concentration of public art installed by a…read moreprivate company. One such piece, The Wishing Tree is a public art piece created in 2019 by San Francisco Symmetry Labs, an American, art & design collective founded 2014. By day the installation looks like a 26 foot tall Banyan tree in the middle of Rosemary Square. By night, the tree is illuminated by a computer made light show. The tree is covered in 100,000 individually programmable, full-color-spectrum LEDs that create the light embedded in 10,000 leaves. The way the lights are programmed was inspired by the fast changing South Florida weather system. Symmetry Labs has said about The Wishing Tree "We hope, despite the technological complexity, that the piece invokes a simple and beautiful feeling: the wonder of nature and humans working in harmony, the possibilities we can achieve together when we share knowledge and wisdom, and the awe of life itself." I love this show stopping piece. Art, technology, and nature intertwine to great a piece that makes you stop and whip out your camera. After taking all of your pictures don't forget to make a wish. With a tree this amazing, it will surely come true.

Frame Your Neighborhood is a series of four street art murals by artist Hector Diaz. Diaz worked in…read moreadvertising and as a graphic artist before turning to street art 25 years ago. He is now specializing in making anamorphic art. This kind of art changes, moves perspective, and morphs when viewed through a cell phone or app. First he takes an image into Photoshop, stretches and elongates it, and then paints it flat on the ground surface so that it comes together when viewed through a camera phone. I have seen this kind of art before with chalk painters at street festivals but this is the first time I have seen it done with murals. A circle near the mural tells where to stand to take the picture of it. The four murals Diaz completed for West Palm Beach Art in Public Places are in city parks and are meant to bring awareness to water resources and wildlife. Each mural is unique to its surroundings. The second mural was completed in Howard Park and it is of a gentle looking alligator next to the wetlands area where you might find a real alligator swimming around. It looks like the alligator is swimming in a pool in the sidewalk with lily pads and turtles. The mural was completed over two days using acrylic paint and then sealed. This small wetlands area at the north end of the park was once the Stub Canal and Turning Basin. It was large enough for barges that carried passengers and produce from Belle Glade to turn around in. Boat service started on May 17,1918. After a railroad line and highway opened in the 1920's, boat travel to fell out of favor and the 1928 Hurricane destroyed the boat docks. Now all that is left is what looks like a small retention pond with a fountain. Diaz decided to create this mural as a tribute to the history of the turning basin. I love alligators, nature, and photography and this mural brings together all three so this was a fun discovery to make in the park.

The Mermaid is an abstract sculpture created in 2000 by local artist Claudia Jane Klein who…read moreattended Albert Lea College in Minnesota where she majored in art. In the 1980's she worked in fashion design and was recognized by the Fashion Institute of Technology for her unique designs. In the 1990's she decided to concentrate solely on sculptures and learned metal fabrication and welding in trade schools in New York and Florida. Today she creates metal sculpture in her studio in Lake Worth. I love mermaids so this sculpture caught my eye as I was walking back from the Snook Islands. This is not a classic sculpture of a mermaid but a more abstract form of a sea nymph although you can clearly make out the tail.The face of the mermaid is an open circle. Claudia Jane Klein thought a mermaid sculpture was perfect for Lake worth since it is directly on the Lake Worth Lagoon and ocean. She donated her time and money to create the piece and gifted it to the city in partnership with the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival who maintains it. You can find The Mermaid in Bryant Park across from the golf course. She is next to the fountain. I think she adds artistic interest to the park.

Rocket is a public art piece located at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus. It is part of the Art in…read morePublic Places Initiative in South Florida. This office park used to be the research and development headquarters of IBM in 1970. It contains architecturally iconic historical buildings created by Marcel Breuer in the 1960s. The first IBM personal computer was invented here along with the first smartphone. This campus was at the forefront of early robotics technology and other tech inventions. Rocket is the creation of Virginia artist Hubert Phipps who is well known for his abstract sculptures and paint pigment drawings He is also a champion race car driver and aviator. He took inspiration for Rocket from his love of aero dynamic forms. First he drew the model and created it out of clay. It was then rendered in 3D using Maya, a software modeling program. The rocket design is meant to represent the intersection of science and art while celebrating modern engineering. The 30-foot, 9.8 ton corrosive resistant stainless steel rocket was manufactured in 2019 at the Tany Foundry in Hangzhou, China. From there it experienced several Covid related delays crossing the Pacific Ocean and traveling through the Panama Canal before arriving 8,000 miles away in Boca Raton through a partnership with the Boca Raton Museum of Art and developer CP Group. The rocket sculpture is valued at 1.5 million dollars will be here for a five year loan period. I loved discovering this public art. The park like setting adds even more beauty to the sculpture. You can walk through it and discover the perfect spot to take a picture or selfie of yourself making it interactive art. Come out and experience it before it jets off to galaxies unknown.

As I drove up towards the BRiC building, the art installation caught my eyes!…read more This once was a technology facility. Now, it is the Boca Raton Innovation Campus. To represent this forward-thinking presence, the Rocket sits in the very front as you drive through the round-a-about parking lot. Hubert Phipps' 30-foot stainless steel sculpture "Rocket" traveled over 8,000 miles to arrive as the new centerpiece at Boca Raton Innovation Campus, 5000 T-Rex Ave. Inspired by the artist's love of aerodynamic forms, the steel sculpture's full-scale fabrication began in 2019 at the Tany Foundry in Hangzhou, China. "The sculpture by Hubert Phipps was conceived as that intersection between art and science, and celebrates the heroics of modern engineering, as also seen in Marcel Breuer's historic building designs for IBM's North American Research and Development Headquarters," said Irvin Lippman, the Executive Director of the Boca Raton Museum of Art. The gleaming, stainless steel reflecting Rocket was two years in the making, with a nod to Sci Fi retro futurism. The Campus encourages visitors to walk around and underneath it, to enjoy their funhouse mirror images on the shiny surface. The monumental new sculpture Rocket by Hubert Phipps was been selected for an Art in Public Places initiative in South Florida, for the BRiC, the historic tech landmark where the first IBM Personal Computer was invented. This new public art program is part of a cultural partnership between the Boca Art Museum and CP Group, the owner of BRiC and a premier developer and operator of commercial real estate. South Florida officials heralded this announcement with an unveiling ceremony at BRiC, officially welcoming Rocket as one of the largest outdoor sculptures ever chosen for a public art initiative in Palm Beach County. The Phipps sculpture is valued at $1.5 million, stands 30-feet tall, weighs 9.8 tons, and took more than 7,000 square feet of stainless steel to construct. The Rocket sculpture towers alongside a waterfront panorama of iconic architecture designed by Marcel Breuer in the 1960s. This celebrated architectural style by Breuer is rarely seen at this grand of a scale, spanning so many acres. The new sculpture by Phipps and the historic buildings designed by Breuer marry each other well in the Brutalist style, creating a powerful visual impact.

West Palm Beach offers a delightful blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and urban…read moresophistication. There is always something new to see and explore which makes it the perfect day trip destination. West Palm Beach boasts a thriving cultural scene that caters to diverse tastes. The Norton Museum of Art is a masterpiece in itself, showcasing an impressive collection spanning various periods and styles. The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts hosts a varied array of shows featuring dance, plays, musicals, and musical performances. Sunday on the Waterfront is a free concert series held on the third Sunday of very month from 4 to 7 PM. The city's commitment to the arts is further evident in its street art scene and the numerous galleries scattered throughout downtown. Whether you're a seasoned art enthusiast or just appreciate creativity, the West Pam Beach arts scene is vibrant. One of my favorite parts of West Palm Beach is the picturesque waterfront which is a haven for relaxation and recreation. Stretching along the Intracoastal Waterway, the waterfront offers stunning views, lush green spaces, and a perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll or a family picnic. Clematis Street, with its lively atmosphere, charming boutiques, and eclectic eateries, is a testament to the city's commitment to creating inviting public spaces. Every December West Palm Beach puts on Holiday in Paradise which features Sandi, the world's only 35-foot, 700-ton holiday sand tree. For nature lovers, West Palm Beach doesn't disappoint. The Mounts Botanical Garden is a haven of tranquility, showcasing a diverse collection of plants from around the world. The nearby Okeeheelee Park provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities, from biking and hiking to bird watching providing a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The culinary landscape of West Palm Beach is a melting pot of flavors. From upscale waterfront dining to cozy cafes serving artisanal coffees, the city caters to a wide range of palates. One of my favorites is the rooftop restaurant on the top of Restoration Hardware. West Palm Beach has one of the largest and best farmers' markets, where you can savor fresh produce and homemade treats while soaking in the vibrant community spirit. West Palm Beach is a place where art, nature, and community converge to create an unforgettable experience. I feel a deep appreciation for the city's unique character and history and I am always eager to return to explore more of what West Palm Beach has to offer. Some of my favorite places are Dreher Park, Palm Beach Zoo, Cox Science Center and Aquarium, Antique Row, Anne Norton Sculpture Gardens, Biscuit Lady's Bakehouse, Rosemary Square, City Zen Garden, and Clematis Street. I highly recommend West Palm Beach to anyone seeking a perfect blend of cultural enrichment and coastal charm.

I have visited West Palm Beach many times and I always love my visit here. One of my first visits,…read morewe stayed at a Bed and Breakfast called Casa Grandview. This was definitely a wonderful memorable stay! We have visited the food hall in West Palm Beach many times. It's called Grandview Public Market. We have gotten to ride bikes from West Palm Beach to Palm Beach as well as do the Duck Boat tour which is land and water. That is definitely an experience bc the ride starts on land and it converts to a boat to see the homes on the water. The fun place for shopping and action is City Place which we have enjoyed many a times. In their downtown area, they also have a great farmers market with a good amount of vendors. There's also a lot of downtown restaurants, shops, cafes, art, murals, etc. Lastly my all time favorite is their Christmas tree. It's one of my most favorite Christmas trees. It's made of sand and is so beautiful day and night. This is def a great place to visit. So many things to do. Fun for families, couples, kids, dog friendly. I will continue to visit and will love checking out the new local attractions and restaurants that open!

I like public art so it gets five stars for brightening up the corner of 45th Australian Ave. This…read morepiece is located in district one. It is part of the "Hello Sunshine" installation which was chosen by the West Palm Beach Art In Public Places through a competition. There are five pieces in total installed at different intersections that serve as gateways to the city. The five pieces cost a total of $256,000 and the program is funded by private developers. While they all feature rays of sun each piece is different. They all are made of aluminum panels, reinforced with steel and a concrete base. They are yellow with a white interior. The artist behind the idea is Paulina Bouyer-Magana. She is part of an art collective out of Los Angeles called Aphidoidea. This is how they describe the project. "Here is "Meet "Hello Sunshine" - Hello Sunshine is the geometrical representation of the sunrise that is sectioned into five clusters of sunrays. Each cluster is unique and together they form the whole sunrise, but just like the notion of union, one cannot see the whole picture at once. You have to experience each part individually, in order to appreciate the whole thing. We want to give people the opportunity to go out and experience all five districts and see the whole picture that makes up West Palm Beach." This sculpture was installed earlier this year. It is so new that I found the instructions to put it together still stuck on it. Some community groups were outspoken against the project feeling that the money could have been better spent elsewhere. It definitely catches the eye and now that I know about it I'll be on the lookout for the other pieces in the city.

The statue of Henry Flagler sits in the grassy median near Cocoanut Row in Palm Beach. There are no…read moreparking spots next to the statue, but not really sure its safe crossing the traffic congestion here so would not be a good idea. Traffic at the red light slows enough to capture a glimpse of the historic landmark. Look for the full size bronze statue surrounded by two rows of big palm trees when you exit the Flagler Bridge coming east toward the beach.

Located on Royal Poinciana Way this statue is a tribute to Henry Morrison Flagler whose impact on…read moreFlorida is monumental. Henry Flagler was born in Hopewell, New York in 1830 where he began his business career as a clerk in a store when he was 14. His big break came when he became a founding member of very successful Standard Oil. During the Gilded Age in the 1880's he invested in hotels in Florida and then built the Florida East Coast Railroad to bring visitors to them. The railway ran from Jacksonville to Key West and was directly responsible for the building of Florida. He was known for his philanthropy as he built public works, schools, churches, and hospitals. Flagler passed away at the age of 83 in 1913. This statue was donated to Palm Beach by Flagler's great-grandson G.F. Robert Hanke in 2010. Henry Flagler's home Whitehall is nearby and now operates as a museum. From 2010-2014, the statue was in the median just east of the bridge near the golden eagle statue and flagpole. This statue was then stored at the Flagler Museum during the Flagler Memorial Bridge replacement. It was then transported and placed at its present location on Royal Poinciana Way. If you are in the area come stop by and say hello to the man who made a lasting impact on Florida.

This is the county seat for Palm Beach County & it's geographically on the center of the county…read more The city is separated from neighboring Palm Beach by the Lake Worth Lagoon. Downtown's Clematis Street & CityPlace districts are filled with restaurants, shops, bars & clubs. The Norton Museum of Art displays American, European and Chinese art, including Impressionist paintings. Nearby, the 4-theater Kravis Center for the Performing Arts hosts concerts, plays, dance & opera. In the past 10 years millionaires have increased by 112%. WPB is nowrecognized as a "wealth hub" and is experiencing rapid growth in high-net-worth individuals. While it's not as exclusively wealthy as its neighbor, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach is attracting significant wealth and investment.

Definitely a total change, i feel closer to my roots since is warmer than NY and NJ…read more A beautiful city surrounded by water and clean landscape