Background

Archway Gardens, in partnership with the city of Clearwater, FL contacted Gordon to commission a work of public art for their affordable housing development in downtown Clearwater. Named for the adjacent Clearwater Community Gardens, the Clearwater Gardens development was designed to National Green Building Standards and with healthy living in mind, featuring amenities such as a community garden, ample green space and a location within walking distance of multiple city and community parks.

The developers of Clearwater Gardens indicated that the artwork should demonstrate a positive investment in the transformation of the site and foster a unique and light-hearted sense of place and a feeling of home for residents.

The Concepts

For this commission, Gordon created two distinct concepts that draw inspiration from two defining features that make this project unique: access to fresh, community-grown food and the dense canopy of live oak trees that surround the site.

The Tree represents Gordon’s take on the iconic southern live oak, one of the most plentiful tree species in the Tampa Bay region. The live oak has long been a symbol of strength and resilience and is rendered in durable Corten steel. This material is a naturally weathering allow that develops a distinctive patina over time. Dichroic acrylic “fruit” discs are fastened to The Tree’s canopy, providing an ever-changing presence and visual interest, resulting in a rainbow of colors with each gentle breeze.

The Carrots is a whimsical play on Nature’s bounty, fresh from the garden. The Carrots draws inspiration from the nearby Clearwater Community Gardens, located on the north edge of the Clearwater Gardens property. This 12-foot-tall bunch of bright colors is rendered in durable, high-density EPS foam with distinctive hues of orange, pink, purple and yellow, brings a splash of color to the site’s main façade and represents Archway Partners’ investment in the vibrant and dynamic transformation of the community.