MountainStar Capital/Lazzara Family Foundation Announce UNF Sculptures by the Sea Project
The Student Affairs Community Council (SACC) at The University of North Florida, MountainStar Capital and the Lazzara Family Foundation announce the creation of a program to support arts education through a year-long public art installation in Jacksonville Beach.
The UNF Seaside Sculpture project will be the only one of its kind on private land in the area. Student sculptures will be displayed on a beautifully landscaped and designed walk on previously undeveloped property owned by MountainStar, located at 480 First St. S. in Jacksonville Beach, across the street from the city’s Oceanfront Park. MountainStar Capital and the Lazzara Family Foundation provided a $50,000 gift to UNF to support students and its sculpture program, headed by Jenny Hager, UNF associate professor of sculpture.
MountainStar Capital also donated the land’s use for the year-long event. “Because of their passion and enthusiasm for art, the Lazzara family has generously provided a forum not only for our talented students to display their creative artwork but a beautiful space at the beach where the entire public can come and be inspired,” said UNF President John Delaney. “We’re appreciative of this family’s impact on UNF and this community.”
The gift supported the creation of 11 miniature sculptures, which were entered into a contest for the public art installation. Five finalists were chosen by a committee comprised of professional artists, art professors, a Jacksonville Beach City Council member, a member of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and members of the UNF SACC.
The winning sculptures to be on display by UNF seniors include “Ongoing Life” by Gillian Harper, “Still Swimming” by Emily Pinnell, “Symbiosis” by Mary Ratcliff and “Wild Bird” by Diana Shepherd. “Ode to Franklin County” will also be on display by UNF junior David Peters.
“This piece of property is now not only beautified but the sculptures can be enjoyed by anyone visiting the beach,” said Christopher Lazzara, CEO of MountainStar Capital and chair of the community awareness and outreach committee of the SACC. “We are thrilled this project has come to fruition from an idea we had to support UNF while providing a creative way to showcase its sculpture program. Our hope is it will encourage similar gifts from private individuals and companies and spawn new public art in Jacksonville Beach and beyond.”
The art will be installed in early June and the property will be open to the public for free from dawn to dusk for the next year. Student works will be on display with signage detailing from dawn to dusk for the next year. Student works will be on display with signage detailing inspiration and meaning. Winning student sculptors receive recognition at the public art walk as well as a stipend for their time and talent.
“We are so appreciative of the Lazzara’s vision and understanding of the value of public art as well as the desire to showcase works of talented UNF students to the beaches community. This is a great example of how one family can make a big difference,” said Dr. Mauricio Gonzalez, vice president of Student and International Affairs.
“Public art is important to us and we are so impressed by the students’ talent and creations,” said Jessica Wynne, director of the foundation and managing director of MountainStar. “UNF provides its students with so many wonderful programs and opportunities. We are proud to continue our creative funding to support arts education at UNF and support access to art enjoyment in our community.”
The project is a partnership between UNF’s Division of Student Affairs and the College of Arts and Sciences, the Lazzara Family Foundation, MountainStar along with assistance from the City of Jacksonville Beach and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.
The Lazzara Family Foundation, based in Ponte Vedra Beach, funds projects focusing on the arts, education and the emotional and physical health challenges in the community. The Foundation provides grants both directly to eligible organizations and through fundraising events that utilize and engage community volunteers. Since 1997, the Foundation has given more than $15 million in grants to worthy organizations. For more information, visit www.lazzarafamilyfoundation.org. MountainStar Capital, with offices in Ponte Vedra Beach and Vail, Colorado, is a private equity firm investing across a variety of industries.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
UNF Sculpture 