PBC Public Art Committee

Role of the Palm Beach County Public Art Committee

The nine members of the Palm Beach County Public Art Committee are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Their role is to:

1. Advise the County Commission as to the overall policies regarding visual arts in the county.

2. Set the direction and conduct the selection of all works of art - whether loaned, donated or acquired - for county property.

3. Provide educational programming to expand the traditional understanding of the role of public art and the benefit of incorporating artwork into public work projects.

Public Art Committee 

Amie Calisti

Architectural / Urban Design Professional

Amie Calisti graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Architecture Degree from Savannah College of Art and Design. She served on architecture boards at the scholastic, local and state levels of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). As a volunteer she taught elementary school students about the artistic and creative process of art and architecture through a STEAM program. She is a licensed Architect and principal of her own multidisciplinary architecture firm. She currently resides in West Palm Beach.

Charlene Farrington

Nonprofit Visual Art Professional

Charlene Farrington is the executive director of the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, a Delray Beach non-profit organization established to preserve and share black history through educational and arts programming and exhibitions. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mercer University and most recently received 21st Century Innovative Leader certification from Carolina Christian College. Charlene holds leadership positions in the South Florida Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and the Palm Beach County African Diaspora Historical and Cultural Society. She also works closely with the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network. Charlene currently resides in Delray Beach.

J. Rachel Gustafson

Nonprofit Visual Art Professional

J. Rachel Gustafson is an Assistant Curator at the Norton Museum of Art and has served the Curatorial Department since 2015. In this role, she contributes to exhibitions and collection-based projects throughout the museum’s five collection areas - from Neolithic Chinese objects to contemporary site-specific works. Ms. Gustafson has worked on a wide variety of special exhibitions. Prior to joining the Norton, she completed a fellowship at the National Museum for Women in the Arts and served at the National Endowment for the Arts in the Public Affairs and Publications Department where she authored several articles for their national magazine. Ms. Gustafson received her Master’s in Art History from American University, graduating with distinction, and received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. She currently resides in Lake Worth.​

Dave Lawrence

Cultural Council

Dave Lawrence is the President & CEO of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County where he serves as the chief arts advocate for the arts and cultural community; leads the professional staff of the Cultural Council; and represents the cultural community in local, regional and national matters. Prior to his appointment at the Council Mr. Lawrence served as the President & CEO of the Arts Council of Indianapolis. Mr. Lawrence’s 29 years as an arts administrator has focused on grant writing/grant making, cultural tourism, organizational development, marketing, advocacy and arts policy development, strategic planning, and public art. Dave was an Executive Committee member of the United States Urban Arts Federation - comprised of CEOs of arts service organizations for the 60 largest US cities. He is also a frequent national grant panelist having most recently served on a panel for the National Endowment for the Arts. Mr. Lawrence received a B.A. in Communication from DePauw University. He currently resides in West Palm Beach.

Jose R. Mendez

Resident with Significant Art Background

Jose R. Mendez is a teaching artist, currently working with the Norton Museum of Art. Jose is also the Gallery Coordinator for Hatch 1121, and a free-lance artist for many local organizations. He is Co-founder and Creative Director for the Day of The Dead festival and the Taco Fiesta of Lake Worth Beach. He also manages his small business R. Dot Creative Agency. Jose is a self-taught artist who works with mixed media, he leads artist talks, docent tours, and teaches art classes for all ages. His inspiration comes from the automotive aftermarket industry, Indigenous arts, and his deep Maya indigenous roots. Prior to working in the art field he was a social worker, which led him to connect with children through art. He resides in Lake Worth Beach.

Sherryl Muriente

Architectural / Urban Design Professional

Sherryl Muriente is the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Manager of Urban Placemaking. She oversees the creation of public spaces to further enhance the quality of life for Downtown residents and visitors. She has a strong background in urban acupuncture, design and grant writing, as well as six years of experience teaching urban design courses and workshops. She has collaborated on projects in Taiwan, Italy, Puerto Rico, and the USA. An advocate for common sense urbanism, incremental urban planning, and testing of demonstrations and pilot studies, Muriente brings an expertise in getting the community engaged in activating place through action. She currently resides in West Palm Beach, FL.

Yamarie Rivera

Resident with Significant Art Background

Yamarie Rivera is the Cultural Arts Programs Manager for the City of Boynton Beach. For over 10 years, she has been an arts advocate and a leader in community arts education with an emphasis on uniting people through the arts. She has worked on countless projects, covering themes in Everglades awareness, architecture, and site-specific community art instillation. Ms. Rivera has been a key proponent of Creative Youth Development and familial learning through the development of multicultural and visual art programming. In 2017 the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards recognized her out-of-school-time programs as one of the top 50 in the nation. Prior to joining the City, she was the Director of Family and Community Outreach for the Learning and Community and Engagement Department at a cultural arts non-profit organization. Ms. Rivera received her BFA from the University of South Florida. She resides in Riviera Beach.

Vivian Donnell Rodriguez

Resident with Significant Art Background

Vivian Donnell Rodriguez is an art historian with over 35 years experience in the administration of cultural arts programs. She most recently retired as Vice Provost of Cultural Affairs for Miami Dade College in Miami where she oversaw the College's gallery system, the innovative Cultura del Lobo performing arts program and the Miami International Film Festival. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of The Bakehouse Art Complex, the internationally-recognized Miami Dade County Art in Public Places Department and the Miami Dade Park and Recreation Department. She received her undergraduate degree in Art History from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio and her Masters Degree in Humanities from the University of Miami. She served as adjunct professor of art history and humanities at Miami Dade College and at Miami International University and is a frequent guest lecturer, panelist and juror at the local, state and national level. Vivian resides in Boca Raton.​​​​​

Connie Roy-Fisher

Landscape Architect

Connie Roy-Fisher is the principal of Studio Sprout, Inc. an award winning landscape architectural firm that focuses on detailed design for public, private and healthcare settings. Notable projects include Morikami Japanese Gardens, Roger Dean Stadium, Design Guidelines for Walter Reed Hospital and the West Palm Beach Waterfront. Connie was born and raised in West Palm Beach and attended the University of Virginia for an undergraduate degree in English and French and a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture. She currently resides in Tequesta, FL.