Leaving Publix in Sawgrass Village one day, friends Phil Garfinkle and Travis Storey got into a conversation about art as they drove home to their condominiums at Costa Verano in Jacksonville Beach.
Storey, president of the oceanfront condo’s community association, mentioned that he would like to turn the first floor of the 14-story building into a miniature art gallery, decorating the hallway with original paintings.
Garfinkle, an avid art collector, whipped out his cell phone and called his good friend and internationally known artist, Simon Bull. By the time they reached Solana Road, only a few blocks away, Bull had committed to sending some of his work.
“Simon said, ‘sure, I’ll send some down,’” Storey said, amazed and pleased at how quickly it was arranged.
Not long after that, Bull kept his promise and eight large paintings featuring cherry blossoms went up on the condo’s walls.
“I met Simon on a cruise in the Caribbean two years ago,” Garfinkle explained one recent day as he and Storey stood in front of an original acrylic on canvas, called “Embrace.”
The owner of Planet Cotton, Garfinkle is also the exclusive merchandizer for the annual Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival. He set Simon, a California -based artist, up for the 2019 event, nominating him to be the official artist for the 2019 festival.
Bull’s official art won first place gold medal for the International Association of Festival Event’s worldwide, Garfinkle said. The paintings now on display at Costa Verano were on display at the Watergate Hotel in the nation’s capital during the Cherry Blossom Festival last spring, and they will remain at Costa Verano until February.
All 48 inches by 60 inches in size, and available for purchase, Storey estimates that collectively they are worth a quarter of a million dollars. The condominium is gated, so security is assured.
“We put it here for our residents to enjoy and for them to bring their friends and guests to enjoy,” Storey said.
The exhibit has been well received. Garfinkle, whose condo is filled with pieces from a wide variety of famous artists, is already working on the next one.
“I’ve already met with other internationally acclaimed artists about bringing the next exhibit to Costa Verano,” he said.
“I would like to turn Costa Verano into a cultural centerpiece for the community,” Storey said. “This is our first foray into that game plan.”
