Public art dedication during 'Xavier Cortada Day' in Jacksonville Beach, FL
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Jacksonville Beach
Beach Blvd / 2nd St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
On February 18, 2025, the City of Jacksonville Beach hosted a dedication ceremony for Xavier Cortada’s “Water Columns”, an ecological public art installation commissioned as part of the city’s first Public Art Master Plan. This event also marked the city’s official proclamation of “Xavier Cortada Day.”
Water Columns features seven sculptural columns representing biodiversity from shore to sea, with a special focus on the Blake Plateau, an ecological hotspot recently discovered off the U.S. coast. Created in collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), this is the first public artwork designed to raise awareness about the Blake Plateau’s significance and the need for marine conservation.
A key interactive element of Water Columns is its educational QR code, which connects visitors to resources on Jacksonville Beach’s natural ecosystems and offers opportunities for community members to get involved in conservation efforts.
The Cortada Foundation extends gratitude to the City of Jacksonville Beach, its City Council, and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for their commitment to public art and environmental education.
Learn more about Water Columns here: https://cortada.com/art2024/water-columns/
