Beginning late January four of Fort Lauderdale Beach’s Lifeguard towers will get an artsy makeover featuring vibrant aquatic-themed mural designs, compliments of Haitian-American artist Djerlens “DJ” Chery.
The four towers which will be sitting pretty include Tower 2 at 1000 Seabreeze Blvd.; Tower 5 at 496 South Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.; Tower 6: at 296 South Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.; and Tower 7 at 126 South Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.
“Right now all the lifeguard towers are blank white,” Chery said. “I wanted to create an art piece that captured the beauty of Fort Lauderdale. I think people will get a good vibe from seeing the design.”
Keeping It Local
Chery attended Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale where he continued his art education. He went on to attend the Visual Arts & Design Academy at Broward College where he studied Art Education.
His art has been displayed at the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens Orchid Festival, Young at Art Museum, Made in Broward, Joseph C. Carter Park, Parker Playhouse, Fat Village Artwalks.
Chery has painted several murals in the City of Fort Lauderdale, and is currently, an art instructor with the Parks & Recreation Department, where he teaches young children, teens, and seniors.
A Stand Out
Chery was one of dozens who answered a “call to artists” to design four of the city’s soon-to-be Instagram-worthy lifeguard towers.
“Chery’s designs stood out from the others”, said Christina Currie, a Fort Lauderdale mom who watched the artists make their pitch to the city’s Public Art & Placement Advisory Board in August. “DJ’s was different, Currie added. “It was cool and it was dynamic. It looked like something you’d see in a spot with luxury hotels nearby.”
Like empty canvases, a total of 20 lifeguard towers grace Fort Lauderdale’s beach. No word yet on whether the rest are in line for their own artsy makeover. Commissioner Steve Glassman says he’s pushing for that. “I think it’s a really cool project. “What city has an outdoor art gallery up and down the beach.”
