On Saturday, March 18, Lisa Harris, along with men, women and some teens from the South Lake Art League met with Jayson Stringfellow to begin work on “Rain Under An Umbrella”.
Stringfellow, creative designer and developer of the ArtWalk and Harris of the South Lake Art League have for years talked about bringing life to Clermont’s Downtown “Art District”. Unfortunately, when the art walk was under development, the Clermont City Council stalled its project by mandating council’s approval of all submitted artwork.
On March 14, 2023, Clermont City Council voted to update murals and interactive artwork guidelines. The council will no longer review and approve all artwork painted or affixed to building walls, facades or other exterior surfaces located in the Central Business District. It will, however, revoke a permit after a public hearing if any codes/ordinances are violated.
All artwork will be limited to the sides and rear building façades on the first floor of any commercial buildings in the Central Business District and will be exclusively non-commercial in nature. and in no way identify a product. The artwork should provide artistic value and give benefit to the surrounding area and not just benefit the building or business proposing the mural. City staff will review and approve requests; city council will revoke a permit after a public hearing if any codes/ordinances are violated.
The Art Walk was conceptualized to help rebrand the Downtown Clermont are. Plaques were sold or donated by civic-minded benefactors towards Clermont’s beautification project.
Thirty bronze plaques were laid to recognize donors along the entire brick walkway between West Montrose and West Minneola Streets.
The intent of the plaques is to honor a family or individual who has served, influenced or lead the community or an exceptional community-minded employee or board member by dedicating a Plaque to honor someone outstanding.
On the East Side of the Art Walk, plaques are intended to recognize the long-standing families, matriarchs and patriarchs of the community. The West Side intends to recognize the younger up-and-coming Clermont community leaders, influencers and philanthropists. There was to be a ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of the project but it never happened.
Currently, Art appears to be reawaking in downtown Clermont.
