Beach Mural Kicks off City of Fort Lauderdale’s 100 Year Celebration

Next time you are traveling along A1A in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, take a look on the west side of the street just north of 600 Seabreeze Blvd, and enjoy gazing at the student artwork from the Art in Public Spaces class at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale designed to celebrate the city’s centennial.

In April 2009, the project was proposed to the college by Amber Van Buren, ArtServe; Don Morris, Beach CRA Director; and Ina Lee, president, Travelhost Magazine of Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Under the direction of award-winning and 35-year instructor at the college Mimi Botscheller, students created ideas for the 174-foot wall and Alfonso Frontera's design was selected. The layout, sketches, and painting began in early July and the mural was completed by the end of September, during the school’s summer quarter. The students who participated are: Russell Depa, Amber Fraysier, Alfonso Frontera, Allison Hospodar, Kevin Manger, Andrea Rios, Brittany Smith and Jessica Wilson.

“The class was designed to teach students the process of mural making from concept, design presentations to the final piece,” says Botscheller, of Pompano Beach. Her class is comprised of Illustration and Graphic Design students. “Not many college students can claim they worked on a public project for the city, located beachside, and across from the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean. It was an incredible on-location experience that will last a lifetime,” continues Botscheller.

The mural is expected to be up through 2012.