Press Release

Dania Beach, FL (January 19th, 2017) –The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in partnership with the City of Dania Beach Parks and Recreation department will be hosting a re-dedication ceremony and community event at Chester Byrd Park on February 4th, 2017 from 11AM – 3PM.  This family-friendly event is being held to celebrate the park’s recent fitness upgrades in support of the Dania Beach Healthy Community Zone and to honor former Mayor Chester Byrd who served as the first black Mayor of Dania Beach as part of the City’s celebration of Black History Month.

As part of the festivities, there will be an unveiling of permanent art installations at the park including a portrait of Mayor Byrd as well as interactive art activities and paintings that the community can take part in.  The art installations are funded by the Broward Regional Health Planning Council’s (BRHPC) TOUCH initiative which has been a driving force in the Dania Beach Healthy Community Zone initiative.  Other activities include a free food giveaway sponsored by Feeding South Florida, lawn games, fitness demos, healthy living exhibitors, music and food. 

While reminiscing on the namesake for Chester Byrd Park, Commissioner Bobbi Grace said, “I can reflect on this great man, our Mayor of Dania Beach, Mr. Chester Byrd.  Under his leadership I had the privilege of beginning my community service as a member of the Dania Activity Committee, the Dania Economic Development Corporation and working side by side on many community projects in the City of Dania Beach.  He was my mentor, job well done!”  Chester Byrd was first elected to the City Commission in 1981 and appointed Mayor in 1983.  He was re-elected to the City Commission in 1985 and reappointed as Mayor in 1987 of which he served until his death in April 1988.  He is remembered as an educator, champion of affordable housing, community organizer and leader.  He was not only the first black mayor in Dania Beach but also in all of Broward County.

Chester Byrd Park is located at 1021 SW 12th Avenue, Dania Beach, FL.  For more information about the Dania Beach CRA visit daniabeachcra.org, information about the Dania Beach Healthy Community Zone and BHRPC’s TOUCH  Partnership can be found at touchbroward.org/hcz.
 

Dania Beach, FL: Visitors to Dania Beach City Hall may notice new striking works of art located in the atrium: an abstract series of paintings depicting humans, flowers and animals. The Cultural Arts Committee of the Creative Arts Council, led by Henriette "Kitte" Arnold, received permission from the city commission to create a revolving art display in the city atrium, located at 100 West Dania Beach Blvd.  This art display is free and accessible to anyone. A public reception and meet and greet with the artist will be held on Sunday February 5th from 3PM - 5PM with light refreshments and the opportunity to browse beautiful artwork by Charlene Alvarez.

“The committee raised the funds to buy hardware for hanging the art and "voila" the bare atrium became the Dania Beach Atrium Art Gallery.  Under Kitte's direction we have had several different displays from local artists and the response from the public and the city hall staffers has been very positive,” states Bo Donly Chair of the Creative Arts Council Advisory Board for Dania Beach.

About the artist:

Charlene Alvarez was born in Denver, Colorado and is a self-taught artist & Chair of Go Green Kids Worldwide, Inc., a nonprofit utilizing art, nature and imagination in her free workshops of recycled art projects for children. Her mission and passion is that of her Native American heritage; “There was a time when the land was sacred, and the ancient ones were as one with it.” She emphasizes this philosophy in every aspect of her family and personal life. She is talented in expressionist, abstract, colorist and representational art pieces. Her art focuses on her Lakota Sioux Native cultural images.

“I believe as my ancestors did, that life is an interpretation of a medicine wheel that symbolizes great spiritual significance for the Sioux. The belief is that the shape of the wheel represents the circle of life and death, which is considered never ending and most importantly represents the unity in the Great Spirit or Grandfather,” states Alvarez.

Working mainly with acrylics and oil paints on canvas, paper, and wood, her main goal is to inspire, create and give back to those in need. She was appointed to the The Green Advisory Board for the City of Dania Beach, and is an instructor of recycled art for children at both the Dania Beach-Paul DeMaio Library and The Dania Beach CRA PATCH Urban Farm and Market. Her works have now expanded to the Children's Home Society of Florida, where she is sharing the love of nature and art to the children of South Florida.

Stay tuned for future revolving art displays at the Dania Beach City Hall Atrium.