Alachua County and the Tax Collector's Office invites residents to the unveiling of their new public art installation (an alligator constructed from recycled license plates) funded through the Alachua County Public Arts Program. The unveiling is on Monday, August 17, 2020, at the Tax Collector’s Downtown Office (12 S.E. 1st Street, Gainesville) at 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. Social distancing, masks, and other COVID-19 related precautions will be observed.
A Call-to-Artists was nationally advertised for art to be commissioned, created, and installed at the Tax Collector's Office that would incorporate recycled license plates. Nine submittals were evaluated and the top three were reviewed by the Alachua County Commission, who selected Beth Ravitz in November 2019.
This art was commissioned to celebrate the service provided to the public by the Tax Collector’s Office, while repurposing license plates into an alligator, which not only symbolizes Alachua County’s respect for nature and the environment, but also pays homage to the University of Florida’s mascot.
“We are thrilled to unveil this art for the public’s enjoyment," said Alachua County Tax Collector John Power.
The mission of the Alachua County Public Arts Program is to enhance the quality of the visual environment in Alachua County, thereby adding to the quality of life and the level of citizen awareness of the importance of aesthetic experience in their everyday lives.
For more information, contact Alachua County Assistant County Manager/Chief of Staff Gina Peebles at 352-538-8265 or
gpeebles@alachuacounty.us.
