In June 2022, the Alachua County Commission commissioned Alachua County-based artist Jenn Garrett to create "Bounce," one of three artworks funded through the County's Art in Public Places program for the new Alachua County Sports Event Center, which opened earlier this year. The sculpture is being installed on Thursday, September 28, 2023.
Bounce celebrates the vitality of sportsmanship. The arcing forms reflect both the arc of a bouncing ball as well as track and field events like the high jump and hurdles. Atop the arcs are super-sized stainless-steel basketballs, two volleyballs, cheer pompoms, and numerous pickleballs. Each ball is roughly three times the size of the balls used at the Sports Eventer Center, making it the focal point of Celebration Pointe Avenue.
"Bounce, a one-ton sculpture, is being installed on Thursday morning. It is ideal for wayfinding and photo ops for athletes and facility visitors," stated artist Jenn Garrett. "The sculpture was fabricated and installed in partnership with local businesses, including Boone Welding, JWM Engineering, and Viking Construction. As an Alachua County resident, it is an honor to celebrate and commemorate the opening of the Sports Event Center with a monumental scale sculpture. I hope this project will highlight our local vibrant arts community."
Jenn Garrett is an internationally recognized artist based in Alachua County. Her work can be seen in permanent and private collections throughout the southeast United States, including public art projects commissioned by Orange County, Stetson University, Mercer University, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Ms. Garrett's exhibition highlights include the National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition in Dublin, Ireland; the National Outdoor Sculpture Competition in Charleston, SC; and the Art on the Atlanta Beltline Inaugural Exhibit. Her work can also be seen locally at the path surrounding the Cade Museum of Invention and Creativity in Depot Park, a series of 22 sculptures that honor the initial donors to the museum, as well as in the kinetic, interactive color-changing sculpture "Nautilus" located inside the museum.
