A long-term Coral Springs couple is pressuring city officials to add more public art that reflects the diversity of the community

Coral Springs, Florida – For many years, Keith and Denise Roberts have called Coral Springs home. Both of them are Black. Additionally, they want city officials to change the representation of people like them in the public art in the city.

They claimed that a large number of the city’s monuments, sculptures, and other works of public art do not accurately depict Coral Springs’ diversity, as minorities account for the majority of the city’s population as of the 2020 census.
Keith claimed to have been battling this problem for almost a decade.

The statue placed in front of the city police headquarters was the first step in the process. Its four metallic parts show two kids, a firefighter, and a police officer.

“The fact that the statues’ hair is straight rather than curly, or even wavy, doesn’t take away from the fact that they’ve been painted a dark color,” he continued.

That is not how Coral Springs city officials see it.

Lynne Martzall, the director of the city’s media and marketing department, said in a statement that the 49 art pieces that make up Coral Springs’ public art have been carefully chosen to showcase a wide range of artistic mediums, material choices, and significant topics.

A review of public art on the Coral Springs Public Art Tour website states that most of the pieces are abstract art, made up of colored blocks, people, or natural sceneries.

The website states that just a small number of the sculptures depict humans.

Nevertheless, Keith claimed to have written to government authorities and city administrators, asking them to give multicultural representation top priority in upcoming art displays.

He claimed to remember speaking with a municipal planner who gave him the assurance that any future art acquisitions would showcase the variety of the city.

Yet he claimed not much progress had been made.

He also cited the “Cartwheel Kids” sculptures at Cypress Park as an example.

He claimed that these sculptures lack the multicultural elements that symbolize the community despite their dark tone.

“Pure and simple, having multicultural statues reflects the community,” stated Denise. It’s crucial that kids see pictures of people who look like them as well as those who don’t. Our three grandchildren are to look at sculptures and say, “That person looks like me,” when they are out in the neighborhood.

Keith has been in close communication “with city leadership and received personal responses,” according to Martzall’s confirmation.

She said, “Mr. Roberts, or any resident interested in having a voice in the selection of public art, is highly encouraged to join the Public Art Committee, as indicated in the responses.”

The committee chooses all public artworks for the city of Coral Springs, creates public art plans and program guidelines, and examines and authorizes all public artworks on private property, according to the municipal website.

“Mr. Roberts, who voiced his opinions and got a response, is one resident who deserves to have their voice heard,” Martzall continued.

Keith claimed to have attended a meeting of the Public Art group, during which he attempted to comprehend the public art selection procedure and indicated his desire to join the group.

However, he claimed that a staff member interrupted him during the discussion, making it challenging for him to urge for change.

He said that he is now applying to be on the committee.

Keith also expects to personally address his concerns at a forthcoming City Commission meeting.