On Monday, June 9th, 2008, the St. Augustine City Commission became the beneficiaries of a wonderful gift bestowed to the City of St. Augustine by local resident, Ms. Mardee Sue Jenrette.  Ms. Jenrette is battling breast cancer and has been reflecting on the blessings she has enjoyed throughout her life and on the legacy she would like to leave behind.   She fell in love with the sculptural work of world-renowned artist, Frederick Hart.  As her appreciation for Mr. Hart's work deepened, Ms. Jenrette envisioned an opportunity to share his work with others and to honor those women, men, families and friends who are also living with cancer on a daily basis. 

The inspirational work of artist Frederick Hart is featured in Washington, D.C. on the National Cathedral.  Mounted in the tympanum above the center portal door of the cathedral is his monumental sculpture entitled Ex Nihilo (out of nothing), which is recognized as the "largest and most prestigious commission for religious sculpture in America in the 20th century".  Mr. Hart is also responsible for the Three Soldiers life-size sculpture, which accompanies the Vietnam Memorial on the Mall in Washington.  Mr. Hart's illustrious career was cut short at the age of 55, when he passed away in 1999, and ever since, his art has become more and more valuable, sought after and revered.

Ms. Jenrette engaged the counsel of Nicole Wolff, Art Director of Brilliance in Color Fine Art Gallery of Cutter & Cutter Fine Art. The Cutter Family, owners of the gallery, enthusiastically supported Ms. Jenrette’s vision, volunteering to bear a number of costs that would be associated with the public installation of a sculpture. They arranged for the bronze casting of Mr. Hart's Ex Nihilo, Fragment No. 8 and Ms. Jenrette acquired the sculpture through their auspices for a gift to the City.  Ms. Jenrette conceived an outdoor installation that could provide free, public access as well as security, maintenance and longevity of care.  Ms. Jenrette, speaking from her heart, said, "May it provide peace, inspiration and an uplifting of the spirit for all who come to view it".

Ms. Jenrette and the Cutter team were fortunate to have the support and leadership of Mr. Philip McDaniel, who currently serves as the President of the St. Johns Cultural Council.  Mr. McDaniel appreciated the sincerity and generosity of Ms. Jenrette's idea and immediately understood the opportunity it represented for the City of St. Augustine.  Mr. McDaniel was able to share his knowledge of the City and helped promote the opportunity.  His efforts in this regard helped to generate public awareness and support, which led to today's resolution by the City Commission to accept the gift of the Frederick Hart bronze sculpture from Ms. Mardee Jenrette.

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Mr. Rick Pariani, master landscape architect, also served as an indispensable member of the project team. His extensive resume includes installation of another Frederick Hart work, the statue of President Jimmy Carter on the grounds of the Georgia State capitol building. It was Mr. Pariani’s advice that resulted in the selection of material for the statue base, choice of installation site and precise placement for the statue within the site of the Lightner Courtyard.

Cutter & Cutter Fine Art will install the gift in the beautiful, open-air courtyard of the Lightner Building; present home of St. Augustine City Hall.  The installation will be in the southeast quadrant of the courtyard and will be complemented with a pair of benches, a footpath, landscaping and lighting.  The sculpture piece is cast bronze, mounted on a coquina stone pedestal to match the historic architecture of the Lightner Building.  The pedestal, to be built, installed and donated by the Cutter Family, will also include commemorative, descriptive bronze plaques. The courtyard’s outdoor music, falling waters and the interplay of shifting shadows throughout the day accent the magnificence of the chosen setting.  The sculpture installation will afford close-up, personal contemplative encounters and can be viewed from the courtyard bridge and perimeter loggias. 

The City accepted the sculpture and agreed to the care and preservation of Ex Nihilo, Fragment No. 8 by Frederick Hart as requested by the benefactor.  In its acceptance, the City Commission said, "We would like to extend a gracious thank you and we accept this most generous gift of both Mardee Jenrette and Cutter & Cutter Fine Art and we commend you for your commitment to art in public places".

Ms. Jenrette said that she was very thankful to her best friend, Ms. Suzanne Skidmore, and her loving daughter, Coral Jenrette, for all of the encouragement and support they provided to help make this gift possible.

The sculpture will be installed later this year in a dedication ceremony, then to be accessible to the public on a daily basis.  Ms. Jenrette's friends and support team members hope that her generosity will be a beacon of warmth, remembrance and goodwill, inspiring others to contribute to the artistic fabric of the City.