PBC Public Art Committee
Role of the Palm Beach County Public Art Committee
The nine members of the Palm Beach County Public Art Committee are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Their role is to:
1. Advise the County Commission as to the overall policies regarding visual arts in the county.
2. Set the direction and conduct the selection of all works of art - whether loaned, donated or acquired - for county property.
3. Provide educational programming to expand the traditional understanding of the role of public art and the benefit of incorporating artwork into public work projects.
Public Art Committee
JoNae Cromartie
Architectural / Urban Design Professional
JoNae Cromartie is a Project Coordinator for Song + Associates, an architecture, planning and interior design firm. Ms. Cromartie works on a range of civic, governmental, and educational facilities. She graduated with a Master of Architecture Degree from Florida International University. She currently resides in West Palm Beach.
Charlene Farrington
Nonprofit Visual Art Professional
Charlene Farrington is the executive director of the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, a Delray Beach non-profit organization established to preserve and share black history through educational and arts programming and exhibitions. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mercer University and most recently received 21st Century Innovative Leader certification from Carolina Christian College. Charlene holds leadership positions in the South Florida Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and the Palm Beach County African Diaspora Historical and Cultural Society. She is also a member of the Florida Atlantic University History Department’s advisory. Charlene currently resides in Delray Beach.
Amaya Estrada
Nonprofit Visual Art Professional
Amaya Estrada is a Museum Educator and Teaching Artist at the Norton Museum of Art and has served in the Learning and Community Engagement Department since 2023. As a multidisciplinary artist and advocate, Ms. Estrada’s practice explores themes of cultural identity, duality, and displacement through sculpture, printmaking, and handmade paper. In addition to her museum and studio work, Ms. Estrada is the founder of the Norton Artist Collective, a staff-led initiative fostering artistic exchange, professional development, and collaborative exhibitions among museum professionals. She currently resides in West Palm Beach.
Dave Lawrence
Cultural Council
Dave Lawrence is the President & CEO of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County where he serves as the chief arts advocate for the arts and cultural community, leads the professional staff, and represents the cultural community in local, regional, and national matters. Since joining the Cultural Council in 2018, Dave has launched several transformative initiatives, including the Artist Innovation Fellowship, the Cultural Resiliency Fund, the Artist Relief Fund, and the Arts & Cultural Education Fund. Dave has more than 35 years of experience as an arts administrator. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board for the African American Museum and Research Library. Previously Dave was President and CEO of the Arts Council of Indianapolis. His leadership and service to the arts were recognized by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, who named him a Sagamore of the Wabash, the state’s highest civilian honor. Dave earned a B.A. in Communication and Theatre from DePauw University and resides in West Palm Beach.
Jose R. Mendez
Resident with Significant Art Background
Jose R. Mendez is a self-taught artist, educator, gallery coordinator, curator, and co-founder of Day of the Dead Lake Worth Beach and Taco Fiesta Palm Springs. He collaborates with nonprofits, government agencies, and private organizations to coordinate and promote art and cultural events throughout the community.
Mendez has worked with leading cultural institutions such as the Kravis Center, Norton Museum of Art, Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County, Arts4All Florida, and the Village of Palm Springs, among others. Within these organizations, he primarily serves as a facilitator, adviser, and teaching artist for both children and adults through his small business, R. Dot Arts & Creative Agency.
His artistic inspiration is drawn from the automotive aftermarket industry, American Indigenous arts, and his deep Maya Indigenous heritage. Before pursuing a career in the arts, Mendez worked as a social worker—an experience that continues to shape his commitment to connecting with children through art. He currently resides in Palm Springs, Florida.
Andrea Levine O’Rourke
Architectural / Urban Design Professional
Andrea Levine O’Rourke is a residential and commercial designer, civic leader, and advocate for art and culture. A former Boca Raton City Council Member, CRA Chair, and Deputy Mayor, she has long championed thoughtful urban design, creative placemaking, and the integration of art and thoughtful architecture into community life. With a BFA from FAU Andrea brings both creative vision and practical experience to her public service. She is the founding member of Workshop 344+, a citizen collective dedicated to advancing walkability, connectivity, art, and culture in Downtown Boca Raton. Andrea continues to mentor, consult, and collaborate on projects that celebrate the human experience through art and design.
Yamarie Rivera
Resident with Significant Art Background
Yamarie Rivera is the Cultural Arts Programs Manager for the City of Boynton Beach. For over 10 years, she has been an arts advocate and a leader in community arts education with an emphasis on uniting people through the arts. She has worked on countless projects, covering themes in Everglades awareness, architecture, and site-specific community art instillation. Ms. Rivera has been a key proponent of Creative Youth Development and familial learning through the development of multicultural and visual art programming. In 2017 the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards recognized her out-of-school-time programs as one of the top 50 in the nation. Prior to joining the City, she was the Director of Family and Community Outreach for the Learning and Community and Engagement Department at a cultural arts non-profit organization. Ms. Rivera received her BFA from the University of South Florida. She resides in Riviera Beach.
Vivian Donnell Rodriguez
Resident with Significant Art Background
Vivian Donnell Rodriguez is an art historian with over 35 years experience in the administration of cultural arts programs. She most recently retired as Vice Provost of Cultural Affairs for Miami Dade College in Miami where she oversaw the College's gallery system, the innovative Cultura del Lobo performing arts program and the Miami International Film Festival. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of The Bakehouse Art Complex, the internationally-recognized Miami Dade County Art in Public Places Department and the Miami Dade Park and Recreation Department. She received her undergraduate degree in Art History from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio and her Masters Degree in Humanities from the University of Miami. She served as adjunct professor of art history and humanities at Miami Dade College and at Miami International University and is a frequent guest lecturer, panelist and juror at the local, state and national level. Vivian resides in Boca Raton.
Connie Roy-Fisher
Landscape Architect
Connie Roy-Fisher is the principal of Studio Sprout, Inc. an award winning landscape architectural firm that focuses on detailed design for public, private and healthcare settings. Notable projects include Morikami Japanese Gardens, Roger Dean Stadium, Design Guidelines for Walter Reed Hospital and the West Palm Beach Waterfront. Connie was born and raised in West Palm Beach and attended the University of Virginia for an undergraduate degree in English and French and a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture. She currently resides in Tequesta, FL.