Artists Selected To Provide Public Art For St. Pete Pier

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- A whimsical 13-foot-tall sculpture of a red pelican will greet visitors at the Entry Plaza to the new St. Pete Pier.

The origami-inspired pelican created by Los Angeles artist Nathan Mabry will be among three pieces of public art displayed at the pier.

The Pier Public Art Committee has been meeting over the past two years, reviewing the work of more than 70 artists from around the world. This week the committee announced its choices.

Committee members said they were attracted to Mabry's larger-than-life modern sculptures in steel because he often depicts native birds in bright colors.

The committee also chose another sculptor, Nick Ervinck of Belgium, to create a laser-cut metal sculpture for the pier head building that evokes a sense of flowing water.

And, finally, the committee chose New York City artist Xenobia Bailey to create a tile mosaic on the Spa Beach Pavilion.

The art will be funded through the city's Percentage for Art ordinance. There is $480,000 available for the three commissions.

The art is expected to be installed in the fall of 2018 when the new St. Pete Pier District is set to open.

The installation of this artwork is separate from a prospective floating sculpture by Janet Echelman. A decision on whether that project will move forward will be made in the next few weeks.

"We are delighted with the quality of the proposals presented to us and are pleased to have selected art from such a diverse group of artists, materials and approaches," said committee chair Laura Bryant.

For addition information about the St. Pete Pier, visit the Pier website.

Artist rendering of Nathan Mabry pelican