WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (July 14, 2021) – The City of West Palm Beach, through its ArtLife WPB program, has awarded local artist Michelle Drummond a solo, permanent public art commission. Ms. Drummond is the first, Black female artist to be awarded such a commission by the city. Her original piece, titled “The Metamorphosis,” will be installed in the Urban Living Room of the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, located at 411 Clematis Street.
A contemporary, mixed-media fiber artist, Ms. Drummond was born in Jamaica and resides in Palm Beach County. She realized early on in her art career that manipulating multicolored fiber and incorporating acrylic paint on canvas was an avenue to help her navigate and cope in unfamiliar environments. Her artwork exudes the true expression of her quest for life and the undeniable influence of her rich Jamaican culture, her experiences living here in the United States and exploration of other cultures through her travels.
“The Metamorphosis” will be made of multicolored yarn of varying weights and glue on an acrylic panel. The artwork will honor the Mandel Public Library as a resource for all that aims to advance society. The finished work will measure 3’x 5‘x7’ in size.
Drummond’s concept was inspired by the philosophy that knowledge and transformation align and empower change and rebirth. Included will be a large tree symbolizing growth, strength, and beauty. Butterflies fluttering about the tree will represent optimism and the unlimited possibilities that emerge through an organic transformation. The work is expected to be complete in six to nine months.
The award was formally made to the artist at the June 14, 2021 meeting of the City Commission.
“I congratulate artist Michelle Drummond on this award,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. “As the first Black female artist awarded a permanent solo public art commission by the City of West Palm Beach, Ms. Drummond is a trailblazer. Because the anticipated art piece reflects our city’s aesthetic and cultural traditions, as well as its diversity, the art piece is considered culturally significant to West Palm Beach.”
“After 23 years of manipulating multicolored, multi-weighted yarn on and off canvas, pushing the boundaries of my creativity and the medium, while participating in numerous exhibitions, my hopes of finding the audience that would truly appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of my artwork came to fruition,” said artist Michelle Drummond. “It is an honor, especially being the first Black female artist and of Jamaican heritage, to be awarded this permanent solo public art commission by the City of West Palm Beach through its ArtLife WPB program.”
ArtLife WPB is the city’s premier art program that commissions and presents a variety of projects created by artists at all career levels. The ArtLife WPB program grew out of the Art in Public Places (AiPP) program established in 1985 and the AiPP amended ordinance of 2014. The program’s mission is to shape the character of West Palm Beach through the power of public art.
Since its inception, ArtLife WPB has awarded numerous art commissions to local artists, including Black female artists, for temporary installations throughout the City, such as its recent COVID-19 artist relief initiative, The Commons: 15 Artists, 15 Spaces. “The Metamorphosis,” however, this will be the first piece by a Black female artist to be permanently on exhibit.
To learn more about Michelle Drummond, visit www.drummondfineart.com
For more information about ArtLife WPB, visit https://www.wpb.org/artlife or contact Sybille Welter, Administrator of Public Art and Culture, by email at scwelter@wpb.org.
