Deep purple, rustic red, and lush green are among the iconic hues of both Rhythmic Colors and the City of Winter Park, which features peacock feathers, brick streets, and other colorful sights. Those colors are now permanently on display at Fairbanks Avenue near I-4.
The art installation, known as Rhythmic Colors, was designed, developed, and installed as part of the I-4 Ultimate Art Endowment program — an initiative that set aside $1.5 million to fund permanent public art in various cities and counties along the I-4 Ultimate corridor.
Rhythmic Colors was designed by RLF Architects. The team at RLF Architects, which typically designs buildings, was eager to jump on this project when the call for artists came from Winter Park. General contractors LokiVon & Associates were thrilled to work on the new project for the city.
“I think the best part of the process was working with my teammates and believing that we could do it,” RLF graphic designer Jocelynn White said.
“My favorite part of the project is the aesthetic and bringing another modern design element to the City of Winter Park,” LokiVon & Associates President and CEO Joshua Marinov added.
Steven Purcell, project designer, grew up in Winter Park, and knew that the colors of the city would provide inspiration. Part of the process involved viewing a cross section of Winter Park and looking for colors that stood out.
“I want [people] to see Winter Park in an abstract feature,” he said. “I want them to go beyond some of the clichés and be able to see Winter Park as raw color—as vivid, visible light reaching your eyes and evoking some type of thought and feeling of Winter Park.”
The geometric shape of the 18-foot-tall poles mimics movement, and part of the rhythm comes from how light hits the installation, even at night.
A company called 15 Lightyears donated an off-grid solar system that illuminates the art installation. The goal was to create movement with the lighting and to also illuminate the installation so it can be admired no matter the time of day. Lisa Pearcy, CEO and founder of 15 Lightyears, said she connected with the design and construction teams because of their unique approach to solar light.
Donating the lighting was also personal for Pearcy, who often travels with her family during spring break and likes to remember a piece of artwork from each trip. Unable to travel in 2020, Pearcy saw the opportunity to contribute to art in her hometown as a bright light.
“I think [art] can really bring value to creating a memory and a place,” she said. “I hope that this art installation does that to every car that passes by.”
Danny Humphress, chair of the Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board, and City of Winter Park Mayor Phil Anderson share the same sentiment.
“I hope that a little bit of that feeling of delight that I have when I go by it, the citizens of Winter Park and visitors to our city will get as well,” Humphress said.
“This is something that welcomes us into Winter Park, and it says a friendly goodbye as we leave,” Anderson said.
