PALM BEACH COUNTY STUDENTS TO COLLABORATE ON THE
MOST CREATIVE CONSTRUCTION FENCE….IN HISTORY!
PALM BEACH, Fla. (October, 2003)—The Historical
Society of Palm Beach County has launched what surely can
be described as one of the most creative history artwork
projects. The project, open to both public and private schools,
is a contest to create historically-themed artwork which
will be transitioned to 10-ft. vinyl panels and applied
to the construction fence surrounding the 1916 County Courthouse
in Downtown West Palm Beach. Participation in the contest
is an opportunity for students to learn about their local
and state history, while generating excitement and public
awareness about the planned countywide history museum, to
be located inside the historic courthouse once it is restored.
In a series of contests managed by each classroom
teacher throughout the county, students have been asked
to draw, paint or illustrate an aspect of Palm Beach County
or Florida history onto an 8 x 10 in. sheet of paper. Students
must complete the illustrations and submit it to their teachers
by December 1. Suggested themes include the legendary Barefoot
Mailmen, Seminole Indians of South Florida, Trapper Nelson
and Addison Mizner. The best work of art, judged for historical
integrity, accuracy and artistic merit, will be selected
by each classroom teacher and presented to the school’s
principal, where a final selection will be made to represent
the school. A panel of judges, comprised of Palm Beach County
School District officials, Historical Society leaders and
members of Palm Beach County’s committee for Art in
Public Places, will select the 30 best pieces from those
submitted. These will be digitally enlarged and printed
with the school’s name onto an 8 x 10 ft. vinyl panel,
which will be placed onto the Dixie Highway perimeter of
the construction fence.
“This is an exciting way to let Palm
Beach County teachers and students know that there is a
new, state-of-the-art educational venue on the horizon,”
said Harvey Oyer, president of the Historical Society of
Palm Beach County. “The history museum will become
an integral aspect of the Palm Beach County School District’s
history and social studies curriculum, providing students
with a fun, interactive environment to learn about their
local and state history. The images these students create
will be brought to life inside the completed museum through
interactive exhibits, field trips, festivals and re-enactments,
educational camps and much more.”
The production of the panels is being funded
by local businesses, which have the opportunity to sponsor
an individual artwork panel. The sponsoring company’s
name will also be featured on the artwork along with the
name of the school. The construction fence is expected to
remain in place until the completion of the courthouse restoration
in 2005.
The decision to restore the courthouse was
made by Palm Beach County’s Board of County Commissioners
in 2002. In February, 2003, the County Commissioners voted
unanimously to grant space inside the restored courthouse
for the Historical Society to create the first-ever countywide
history museum. Once completed, the new history museum and
the Historical Society’s headquarters will occupy
approximately 12,000 sq. ft. inside the building.
For more information about the courthouse
construction fence artwork project, contact the Historical
Society of Palm Beach County executive director, Loren Mintz,
at (561) 832-4164, or School District of Palm Beach County’s
Public Affairs’ Specialist, Vickie Middlebrooks, at
(561) 357-7661.
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