BROOKSVILLE — Brooksville’s staid, conservative image is about to get an artsy boost. Come October, downtown will be transformed into outdoor art gallery, with an array of sculptures.
The proposal that will create the city’s first-ever sculpture walk was unveiled Thursday at the Brooksville Vision Foundation’s monthly stakeholders meeting.
The venture, which will showcase 10 sculptures, will be a joint effort between the nonprofit group and the city, said Michael Heard, chairwoman of the foundation’s events committee.
According to Heard, the walk will include works by both regional and nationally known artists, with the sculptures exhibited on both public and private land near points of interest downtown.
Organizers hope the sculptures will attract visitors and become a focal point for future art endeavors.
“It’s all about creating visibility and making the downtown a bit more lively for people who visit and live in Brooksville,” Heard said.
In charge of planning the public art venture will be Brooksville City Hall Art Gallery director Rachel Fogarty-Oleson, whose sculptor husband, James Oleson, created several works that have adorned the outside of City Hall.
She said sculpture walks like the one she envisions have proved popular in other Central Florida cities.
“People love art, and the more you make it accessible to them, the more it draws their attention,” Fogarty-Oleson said. “I think residents will like it, in that it gives Brooksville some new flair and charm that will have people talking.”