Public art always finds a way to surprise us when we least expect it, such as during a walk through a park, while heading to catch a flight, or even in the middle of a busy commute.
Across Broward County, art exists far beyond gallery walls, adding color, meaning, and creativity to everyday spaces. From the airport to Port Everglades and throughout local parks, these works help tell the story of a region shaped by innovation, culture, and community connection.
Through the Broward Cultural Division’s Public Art & Design (PAD) program, art has become part of the rhythm of daily life, transforming public spaces into moments that invite reflection and curiosity. Many of these meaningful works have been created by women artists whose perspectives help broaden the cultural landscape while bringing beauty into spaces people move through every day.
Below, Lea Rekow, Public Art and Design Administrator for Broward County, shares insight into how public art has evolved locally and highlights works created by women artists whose contributions continue to shape Broward’s visual identity.
How has public art in Greater Fort Lauderdale evolved over the past 50 years, particularly in terms of supporting and showcasing women artists across spaces such as the airport, port, museums, and public parks?
Over the last 50 years, women artists have played an important role in shaping Greater Fort Lauderdale’s cultural identity, helping transform the region into a dynamic arts destination through both leadership and creative expression.
At the Broward Cultural Division, much of this growth is connected to the Public Art & Design (PAD) program. Established in 1976, the program was created through a Broward ordinance that allocates up to 2% of construction budgets toward public art. Through mentorship, commissions, and long-term planning, PAD has supported artists, including many influential women, whose work can now be seen integrated into civic plazas, transit hubs, and public parks throughout the county.
Can you share examples of public artworks in Broward County that highlight the perspectives, contributions, or creative voices of women artists?
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) features several memorable works created by women artists.
Emily White’s Wavelength (2018) uses suspended shapes and color to reflect South Florida’s natural environment, while Laurie Lundquist’s Sky Waves (2017) adds a sense of movement to the pedestrian bridges connecting Terminals 2, 3, and 4. Jody Pinto’s Light Cylinders (2002) welcomes travelers through vibrant illuminated structures within the Hibiscus Garage. Travelers can also experience Marielle Plaisir’s terrazzo installation A Journey (2024), which explores Florida’s layered cultural narratives, as well as Sarah Morris’s geometric wall design for Centro de Formação (2017). Together, these works bring visual storytelling into one of the region’s busiest transportation hubs.
At Port Everglades, large-scale installations explore themes of movement, time, and nature. Alice Aycock’s Exuberance (2019) features sweeping sculptural forms inspired by wind and water, while Vanessa Till Hooper’s Visual Voyage (2019) reflects global travel through layered light imagery. Michele Oka Doner’s Forces of Nature: Trade Winds and Ocean Currents (2019) incorporate organic forms and rich color to welcome visitors embarking on cruises and international travel.
In Broward County parks, art and environment often intersect. Lorna Jordan’s Island Garden (2009), located at Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center, invites quiet reflection, while Blessing Hancock’s As One (2017) symbolizes unity and connection through sculptural design. Alice Aycock’s Whirls and Swirls and a Vortex on Water (2008) adds movement and visual interest to Central Broward Regional Park.
A more recent installation, Susan Narduli’s Light Crossing (2025), transforms the space beneath the Andrews Avenue Bridge along the New River through evolving light patterns reflected onto the water, demonstrating how public art can elevate everyday infrastructure into a creative experience.
Why is public art an important platform for amplifying diverse artistic voices, and how does the inclusion of women artists contribute to a more representative cultural landscape?
Public art helps shape how we experience the places we live, work, and visit. In Broward County, many works created by women artists contribute to a visual environment that reflects a range of perspectives and creative approaches. The PAD program continues to acquire works by artists such as Nathalie Alfonso and Kandy Lopez, ensuring that diverse voices are represented in highly visible public spaces.
The program itself is also guided by a team of women professionals whose expertise spans architecture, urban planning, curation, and community engagement. Senior Project Manager Dominique Denis, Senior Public Art Project Manager Christina Roldan, and Project Manager Sophie Blachet each bring decades of experience supporting artists and connecting communities through creative projects.
As Public Art and Design Administrator, Lea Rekow oversees long-term initiatives that integrate art into civic infrastructure, helping ensure these projects remain accessible, forward-thinking, and reflective of Broward County’s evolving cultural identity.
