IMMOKALEE, Fla. — The Immokalee Community Redevelopment Agency is calling on local artists to submit design proposals to enhance the new welcome sign in Immokalee.
In 2017, the Immokalee Beautification Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) hired a landscape architect to design a new welcome sign leading into downtown Immokalee and to reface the welcome sign on New Market Road.
In 2019, a contractor was hired to complete the work.
"It [has] a bird of paradise, it's a flower, and not to be mean, but it has nothing to do with our community," said Martha Cantu, a local artist from Immokalee.
Shortly after the new sign on First Street was put in place, members of the Immokalee community voiced concerns over its lack of connection to the heritage in Immokalee.
"[Immokalee] is known for a lot of things: agriculture, we have the Seminole Tribe of Florida here, football is a big thing," said Cantu.
In May a petition began to circulate, calling for county officials to rethink its design, getting nearly 2,500 signatures.
"I would love to have the old one instead of this one any time, any day," said Cantu.
Having heard the community's concerns, MSTU and The Immokalee Community Redevelopment Agency launched the "Welcome to Immokalee" Artist Enhancement project.
The idea is to add art from a local artist to the sign that'll showcase the culture in Immokalee.
Martha Cantu is one of the artists that has submitted a proposal — she's lived in the Immokalee community for the past thirty-four years.
"It's more than the sign, I took that personal, like I said it hit a nerve, spending all those years in the fields and for someone just to come and slash it down and say no this is who you are now… it hurt," said Cantu.
With roots deep in the Immokalee community, Cantu hopes the enhancement will better represent this community.
"I hope any design that comes out of Immokalee gets chosen," said Cantu.
The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, August 28, 2020, by 5 p.m.
Residents in Collier and Lee Counties can submit proposals.
Collier County United Arts Council (UAC) will facilitate the artist selection process.
For more information, click here.
