BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — As part of the City of Boca Raton’s Centennial celebration, two new public art installations – Palm Trees Sway and Beams of Sunshine – are now on view at the Spanish River Library and the Downtown Library. These vibrant public art activations are the first in a new series ofOde to Boca poems designed to celebrate the City’s unique character through community voices, poetry, and sustainability.
“Plastic Poetry” transforms everyday waste into colorful, five-line poems inspired by local zip codes.Palm Trees Sway features a poem by Jennifer, while Beams of Sunshine was written by Olivia, a third grader. The selected Odes evoke the serenity and spirit of South Florida and reflect the lived experiences and creativity of the community, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and connect.
The installations were created from recycled polypropylene gathered through local cleanup and recycling efforts and then melted and molded into 5-inch letters to create each poem. The Downtown Library installation used 5.78 lbs. of recycled plastic, while the Spanish River Library installation incorporated 7.32 lbs., showcasing Boca Raton’s dedication to sustainable practices through the arts.
“By redefining how to raise awareness and how artists utilize discarded materials this activation brings together everything we value as a city—creativity, community, and environmental responsibility,” said Veronica Hatch, Public Art Coordinator for the City of Boca Raton. “The significance of this artwork extends beyond colorful words on a wall; it serves as a reminder of the rich narratives that shape our community, how art can transform public spaces and where individual stories become a collective identity.”
Commissioned by Public Art Boca in partnership with O, Miami and Free Plastic, the activations are located on the exterior walls near the entrances of each library. As part of the City’s Centennial programming, Ode to Boca will continue to bring public art to unexpected places throughout 2025.
