July 27, 2021 | St. Lucie Cultural Alliance | Presenter Spotlight – Debby Coles-Dobay, Art Moves You
Contributed by Dorothy Kamm
Presenter Spotlight – Debby Coles-Dobay
Debby Coles-Dobay (left) and international kinetic artist Ralfonso
Debby Coles-Dobay, Albert Paley and Lee Ann Lester (from left) at Cavalcade opening
Debby Coles-Dobay is a public art consultant who served the Boynton Beach Art in Public Places program for 13 years. In her position, she recognized the potential for featuring kinetic art in the city as a unique draw, one that she and the community embraced. “As a public art manager, you want to deliver artwork that’s going to connect with people. Not everyone can relate to art that’s chosen for public display. Many people don’t have formal art training. But kinetic art engages all generations, diversities and abilities.”
According to Debby, public art should educate, entertain, inspire, and engage. “Kinetic art delivers on the engagement factor, providing entertainment and fostering curiosity and education by getting viewers to consider how a piece works,” says Debby. “It is a very specialized artform that encompasses different disciplines involved in a piece’s creation, including science, technology, math, and art. It’s a three-dimensional artform that crosses into the fourth dimension.”
Around a year ago, she founded the consulting firm Art Moves You “because what art doesn’t move you?” she quips, “and it’s art that literally moves.” She promotes art and culture because “that’s what moves us and inspires us as a society.”
Debby has teamed up with the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance to offer an Intro to Public Art Workshop on Tuesday, August 3, 10:00 – 11:00 am at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. Professional and emerging artists seeking to expand their sphere of influence will not want to miss this chance to learn the step-by-step application process to get their masterpieces exhibited in public places in St. Lucie County and beyond.
Preparing an application for a public art project can be a daunting task. “It might sound overwhelming, but when broken down the process becomes manageable,” says Debby “You must understand how to market your art, your product, your business. You have to be ready to do this because art is a business.”
Debby believes that anything can be learned and enjoys presenting educational workshops and sharing her knowledge. She is excited to help artists improve how they distribute and market their artwork by learning how to submit calls to artists. She will teach participants how to present their art product to get short-listed and commissioned.
This workshop is FREE for Cultural Alliance Members and City of Port St. Lucie residents, and ONLY $25 for all other artists. Space is limited. To register, visit www.artstlucie.org/event/public-art-workshop
“Art in public places provides greater meaning to a location, humanizing the built environment and creating memorable experiences. It connects community and creates a sense of identity for a specific location or company. Opportunities abound,” says Debby.
For more information about Debby and the services she offers, visit www.ArtMovesYou.com.
To learn more about the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance and the benefits of membership, please visit ArtStLucie.org, email: info@artstlucie.org or call 772-462-2783.
Debby Coles-Dobay, Burning Man 2019
Debby Coles-Dobay (left) with artists and art board members reviewing Town Square plans
