ARTICLE
The City of Boca Raton is excited to announce a unique opportunity through the Public Art Boca program for professional muralists and artist-led teams based in South Florida. As part of the City’s Centennial celebration, the Ode to Boca mural will transform the stage doors of Mizner Park Amphitheater into a permanent work of art, inspired by the community. The mural will be inspired by residents' five-line Odes' based on Boca Raton zip codes, forming the foundation for a vibrant and permanent work of art that celebrates the city’s identity and collective storytelling. This is a unique opportunity for artists to contribute to shaping a significant element of the city’s artistic landscape. “We are thrilled to offer this unique opportunity to artists who will play an integral role in transforming our city’s landscape through the Ode to Boca initiative,” said Veronica Hatch, Public Art Coordinator. “This public art project aims to bring a bold and exciting energy to Downtown Boca and its iconic MPA stage doors by reflecting its vision as a vibrant gathering place where everyone can play, work, shop, dine, and relax. We look forward to seeing the community’s voices expressed through unique artistic ideas, creating a lasting tribute to the City’s Centennial celebration.” Project Details: Location: Mizner Park Amphitheater Stage Doors, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432 Budget: $80,000 Application Deadline: Monday, July 21, 2025, at 11:59 PM Installation Date: October 2025 More information How to Participate: For the Public: Poetry Submissions Poetry submissions are now open. The public is invited to submit five-line Odes to Boca at www.Boca100.com. A temporary wrap at the Mizner Park Amphitheater features a sample Ode to Boca and encourages the community to get involved and inspire the mural’s final design. Previously submitted Odes will also be considered for the project. For Artists: Call for Artists The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open through July 21, 2025. Professional visual artists and artist teams based in South Florida are invited to submit their application for this exciting opportunity. Artists must reside and regularly create artwork in the area. Shortlisted artists will receive a flat fee of $2,500 for concept proposals. A selection panel will choose the final artist(s) to create the Ode to Boca mural. The City of Boca Raton, in collaboration with Centennial partner, O, Miami, launched the Ode to Boca program earlier this year to be the heart and soul of the City’s Centennial Celebration. Inspired by the original ZipOde poetry program by O, Miami and WRLN, Ode to Boca is a civic storytelling project that invites residents to share their personal connections to the city through poetry. It encourages residents, business owners, and visitors to craft their own ‘Odes’ that highlight the people, places, and experiences that define Boca Raton. “This project is more than a celebration of Boca Raton’s Centennial — it’s a reflection of what builds a community,” said Melody Santiago Cummings, Executive Director of O, Miami. “Through Ode to Boca, we’re inviting residents to share their voices in a way that’s playful, personal, and lasting. We’re proud to help bring this poetic public art installation to life in a City that’s boldly expanding its commitment to the arts.” Sunny shores beckon Waves whisper secrets Palms sway in rhythm Boca Raton My salt-kissed sanctuary of coastal ocean dreams —Larry Port 33496 The Ode to Boca initiative will continue to inspire future public art projects throughout the community. Continue to follow the City for new calls to artists and upcoming creative initiatives. To explore projects already shaping Boca Raton, visit www.Boca100.com. Learn more about the City’s Public Art Boca program and the Ode to Boca initiative.
The City of Boca Raton is excited to announce a unique opportunity through the Public Art Boca program for professional muralists and artist-led teams based in South Florida. As part of the City’s Centennial celebration, the Ode to Boca mural will transform the stage doors of Mizner Park Amphitheater into a permanent work of art, inspired by the community.
The mural will be inspired by residents' five-line Odes' based on Boca Raton zip codes, forming the foundation for a vibrant and permanent work of art that celebrates the city’s identity and collective storytelling. This is a unique opportunity for artists to contribute to shaping a significant element of the city’s artistic landscape.
“We are thrilled to offer this unique opportunity to artists who will play an integral role in transforming our city’s landscape through the Ode to Boca initiative,” said Veronica Hatch, Public Art Coordinator. “This public art project aims to bring a bold and exciting energy to Downtown Boca and its iconic MPA stage doors by reflecting its vision as a vibrant gathering place where everyone can play, work, shop, dine, and relax. We look forward to seeing the community’s voices expressed through unique artistic ideas, creating a lasting tribute to the City’s Centennial celebration.”
Project Details:
How to Participate:
For the Public: Poetry Submissions
For Artists: Call for Artists
The City of Boca Raton, in collaboration with Centennial partner, O, Miami, launched the Ode to Boca program earlier this year to be the heart and soul of the City’s Centennial Celebration. Inspired by the original ZipOde poetry program by O, Miami and WRLN, Ode to Boca is a civic storytelling project that invites residents to share their personal connections to the city through poetry. It encourages residents, business owners, and visitors to craft their own ‘Odes’ that highlight the people, places, and experiences that define Boca Raton.
“This project is more than a celebration of Boca Raton’s Centennial — it’s a reflection of what builds a community,” said Melody Santiago Cummings, Executive Director of O, Miami. “Through Ode to Boca, we’re inviting residents to share their voices in a way that’s playful, personal, and lasting. We’re proud to help bring this poetic public art installation to life in a City that’s boldly expanding its commitment to the arts.”
Sunny shores beckon Waves whisper secrets Palms sway in rhythm Boca Raton My salt-kissed sanctuary of coastal ocean dreams
—Larry Port 33496
The Ode to Boca initiative will continue to inspire future public art projects throughout the community. Continue to follow the City for new calls to artists and upcoming creative initiatives.
To explore projects already shaping Boca Raton, visit www.Boca100.com.
Learn more about the City’s Public Art Boca program and the Ode to Boca initiative.