Persistence and Perseverance

Monumental Avian Avatars are coming to Coral Springs

Two Towering Sculptures by the Myth Makers are landing in Broward County

For Immediate Release

Coral Springs, December 13, 2018 – The Coral Springs Museum of Art  will unveil Perseverance and Persistence a pair of monumental sculptures created by the Myth Makers: Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein as part of the Museum’s “Forever Broward” project. The press is invited to preview the first installation on Thursday December 13^th at 9:30a at the Sawgrass Nature Center followed by the second installation at the Sawgrass Trailhead at Atlantic Boulevard at 1pm. The community is invited to attend an artist talk at 11am followed by a dedication ceremony and reception at 12pm on Friday December 14^th at the Coral Springs Museum of Art.

Each Avian Avatar symbolizes a unique bird that will entice visitors to explore the Florida Everglades and learn more about its significance. These towering bamboo sculptures will occupy two prominent public spaces in Broward County and tie the sites to the history of conservation work that was done a century ago by Marjory Stoneman Douglas and Ernest Coe.

Persistence, 22 ft tall, bamboo, wire ties, 2018

“Perseverance and Persistence are two spectacular installations that will intrigue passersby with their impressive structures and their fascinating stories that embody the imaginative and creative culture of the Everglades,” said Julia Andrews, Director of the Coral Springs Museum of Art. “We are delighted to showcase the Myth Makers, and we are confident these impactful sculptures will be the most popular public art installation in Southeast Florida this year.”

Crafted from bamboo, wire ties and found objects, the sculptures stand 20 feet tall, with each bird sharing a unique myth. These Avian Avatars are a public monument to the conservation work done by Marjory Stonehman Douglas and Ernest Coe to create the Florida Everglades Naitonal Park and the legacy of their preservation work in the life of South Florida’s bird species. Persistence and Perseverance encourge the public to be aware of the current human impact on the changing natural world and instill a sense of pride for those Broward residents who live next door to the Everglades.

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Persistence is a 20 ft tall Wood stork-human hybrid representing the larger than life ambition of Ernest Coe. The Wood Stork is North America’s only stork. Without the Everglades National Wildlife refuge, this and many other species would be endangered, and life in West Broward would not be as it is today. This iconic avian is a tribute to Coe’s pioneering spirit and it will inspire everyone to believe in their dreams and to fight for what they believe in. Persistence will be located at the Sawgrass Nature Center.

Perseverance is a 20 ft tall Roseate Spoonbill-human hybrid representing the iconic figure of Marjory Stoneman Douglas and her contribution to the preservation of the Everglades National Park as a result of her book “River of Grass.” The Roseate Spoonbill is the only species of spoonbills found in the Western Hemisphere. This very remarkable avian stands tall and proud with an ever watchful gaze over the Everglades reminding us that “there is always the need to carry on.” Perseverance will be located at the Sawgrass Trailhead at Atlantic Boulevard.

Perseverance, 22 ft tall, bamboo, wire ties, 2018

About the Myth Makers

The collaboration between Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein is born from a mutual love of the wild, taking inspiration from events in the natural world and the mysterious nature of animals. Both artists have presented public work throughout the world at art museums, sculpture parks,  and urban centers. Their affection for site specificity and working with local audiences is evident in this new pair of monumental sculptures.

The Myth Makers have completed over 20 monumental public art projects worldwide in the past ten years. Their temporary structures built from natural materials have been exhibited in Keelung Taiwan, Verbier Switzerland, New York City NY, Wausau WI, Easton MD, Muskegon MI, Boston MA, Portland ME, Concord NH, Harrisburg PA, Providence RI, and Windsor VT. This is their first public art installation in Florida. For more information http://themythmakers.blogspot.com

About Coral Springs Museum of Art

The CoralSprings Museum of Art serves Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, Florida, by offering an art immersion experience focused on celebrating present-day, nationally recognized and Florida artists who create Traditional, Modern and Postmodern art. Since its opening in early 1997, the museum has hosted nearly one million visitors and students and exhibited the work of more than 200 artists in its galleries, including well-known artists such as Alexandra Nechita, Romero Britto, Wolf Kahn, Duane Hansen, Clyde Butcher, Jose Bedia, Royo, Yuroz, Dale Chihuly and Toulouse-Lautrec. The museum, which features a permanent collection and an extensive sculpture garden, is open to the public and offers numerous classes, programs, events and exhibits for children and adults.

About Forever Broward

ForeverBroward has been made possible by support from the following Community Foundation of Broward Funds: Helen and Frank Stoykov Charitable Endowment Fund, Ruth H. Brown Fund for the Arts, Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund and the David and Francie Horvitz Family Fund. The Community Foundation of Broward provides leadership on community solutions and fosters philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter.


Update: The Sun Sentinel featured this story on Friday December 14th, "New Sculpture Takes Flight," by Taimy Alvarez. Michael Barton published drone footage of this installation on Saturday December 16th,"Bird sculpture Perseverance at Coral Springs" Andrew Brown published drone footage of this project on Feb 9,2019, "Perseverance: Avian Avatar." Molaundo Jones published a Member Spotlight: Donna Dodson & Andy Moerlein on the Fractured Atlas blog, on March 26, 2019 highlighting our recent projects. Andrew Brown published drone footage of this project on July 9, 2019, Persistence: Avian Avatar.

The Beacon

HARBORWALK ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE: THE MYTH MAKERS, DONNA DODSON & ANDY MOERLEIN

Beacon, a 20’ tall bamboo sculpture by The Myth Makers, Donna Dodson & Andy Moerlein is a monumental public art project that is inspired by the Osprey as a tribute to Rachel Carson and her ecological restoration efforts in Boston and beyond. The Myth Makers' artwork will initiate the first project of the new Harborwalk Artist in Residence (AIR) program. The Myth Makers highlight the Osprey as a survivor and adapter in our rapidly evolving human landscape. Devastated by DDT poisoning, these skilled fish hawks are recovering from the brink of extinction, and are an inspiring example of the role humans can play in restoring balance when we engage the living world around us. The Harborwalk is a great vantage point to study these rugged birds in the Boston Harbor. The sculpture is installed at Head Island, also known as the Sugar Bowl, at the far end of the causeway around Pleasure Bay.

The artists led a processional celebration to install the sculpture on Sunday July 1st from 9:30AM - 11:30AM. This exciting parade was open to all ages. There was a brief dedication: the Myth Makers discussed the legacy of Rachel Carson and citizen scientists worldwide who have contributed to science through personal observations and documentation. The sculpture will be on view at this location until Friday Sept 7th. Then the Beacon will migrate to the Charlestown Navy Yard where it will be on view until Friday November 16th. The artists will host an Open Studios workshop on Saturday August 4th from 2p-4:30p at Head Island.

For more information: http://www.bostonharbornow.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/recreation-press-release.pdf. Update: Amelia Mason from WBUR The Artery featured this story on June 28, 2018, 5 Things To Do This Weekend, From A City Dance Party To A Giant Bamboo Bird. Maureen Dahill from Channel 10 Boston featured this story on June 29, 2018, Weekend Picks in Southie.

Seeking Higher Ground

20 ft tall, bamboo, zip ties, reflector, spray paint, 2018

The Larz Anderson Estate in Brookline, Massachusetts is home to an ancient flock of Blue Jays. Azure blue and loquacious as 3 year olds, they have many stories to tell.

Isabel Anderson was a privileged Boston socialite whose ambition and focus were global in reach. She was a world traveler who lived a life of public service.

In folklore traditions, a Blue Jay is symbolic of clarity of thought, taking action. Seeking Higher Ground is a monument to the personal activism of a great woman leader.

Update: Emma Murphy from the Brookline Tab covered this story on June 15, 2018 "Towering sculptures, inspired by nature, installed at Larz Anderson Park," and she created a video of the project, Public Art Comes to Larz Anderson Park.