- Home
- Government
- Boards & Committees
- Public Arts Board
- Art in the Chambers
Art in the Chambers
On April 15, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 4454-24 approving a recommendation from the Public Art Board for a new public art program named “Art in the Chambers”, which involves displaying art from an artist or a group of artists in the City Council Chambers once a quarter.
Anyone from the public can come to view the pieces on display each quarter. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The artwork displayed is for sale, which will go to the artist. 25% of proceeds will be donated to the Public Arts Board for future endeavors.
The first Art in the Chambers exhibition displays watercolors from Mr. James Koevenig, who was a talented UCF biology professor, artist, writer, and educational filmmaker who lived in Oviedo for 45 years until his passing at the age of 84 in 2015. Mr. Koevenig was particularly interested in photographing and painting workers in the celery and cabbage fields near his house in Oviedo. Those fields are long gone now, but he preserved the agricultural history of Oviedo through his watercolors. He also enjoyed painting the old buildings in Oviedo and the nature of "old Central Florida" (St. John's River area, birds, flowers, cypress, and palm trees).
During regular office hours, the free exhibition is open to the public from August 6, 2024, until December 19, 2024. Mr. Koevenig’s daughter, Kimberley Koevenig, has worked with City Staff on the selection of the work to be displayed. Some of the watercolors are for sale, and 20% of the sale amount will be donated to the Public Art Fund.
Art in the Chambers! On May 5, 2025, the Oviedo City Council and Oviedo Public Arts Board opened the second Art in the Chambers Exhibition, displaying charcoal drawings by Ms. Wonda Granville, a local artist raised in Oviedo. Most of the charcoal drawings in the Oviedo exhibition are based on photographs of old Oviedo and old Central Florida.
Ms. Granville is an accomplished artist who has received several awards, including the best emerging artist award from the 65th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival and the purchase award from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation. The free exhibition will be open to the public from May 5, 2025, until September 5, 2025, during regular office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some of the charcoal drawings are for sale, and 25% of the sale price will be donated to the Public Art Fund.
The third Art in the Chambers exhibition will display paintings by Ms. Kathleen Safi, who is a local artist. Ms. Safi holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Florida and an M.Ed. from the American College of Education.
Ms. Safi defines herself as a self-taught artist who developed her skills through a disciplined daily painting practice. Working primarily in acrylic and collage, she creates pieces rooted in the vibrant life of Central Florida, where she lives and works. Her current work explores the quiet rhythms and shared experiences that draw us together as a community. Additional information on Ms. Safi’s artwork may be seen on her website link: www.kathleensafi.com.
The free exhibition will be open to the public from November 3, 2025 until March 2, 2025 during regular office hours. Some of the paintings are for sale, and 25% of the sale amount will be donated to the Public Art Fund.
