The Orange County Urban Design Commission was created by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners in 1997 "to improve the aesthetic quality of the physical environment of Orange County". An important element of this mission is to support and encourage the proliferation of public art in Orange County.

Public art has many facets. It includes paintings, drawings, sculpture and other art mediums displayed in public places where large numbers of people can enjoy them. Public art can be buildings or extraordinary features of buildings such as unique columns, friezes, doors or stained-glass windows. Fences and gates can be works of art. Public art is statuesy, fountains, gazebos and trees located in evocative settings. Public art can be entertaining, enlightening and educational.

With that in mind, the Orange County Registry of Florida Artists is designed to function as a conduit between architects, landscape architects, builders, developers and artists who can be included in their design teams. Other communities have successfully demonstrated that artists and artisans can participate in the design process and provide aesthetic enhancements without significant increases in time or cost.

The Registry contains the names and addresses of local artists along with a fax number, e-mail address and website address (where applicable). For each artist, there is a concept statement and two examples of their work. The Registry does not evaluate the talent, experience or quality of the artist's work; it is designed to enable the professional to contact the artist directly, hold interviews and select artists to meet their needs.

Art in public places enhances our lives. The urban centers that we admire throughout the world have great displays of public art. As Orange County and Central Florida continue to grow, we must strive to make public art an integral part of our community. We hope that you will participate in this venture.