Recently, I was in Orlando to re-present the Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors 2016 Public Leadership in the Arts Award to Mayor Buddy Dyer.  I was joined by over 50 local arts organizations to honor the mayor for making the arts a central part of his administration.  Under Mayor Dyer’s leadership, last year Orlando opened its new $500 million, 333,000 square-foot performing arts center.  Additionally, each year, Mayor Dyer commits more than $1.8 million of the city’s budget to local arts organizations and he has expanded the city’s public art program.   This award is part of a series that Americans for the Arts presents along with our various public sector partner organizations over the year to elected officials at every level of government. 

While in the Mayor’s office prior to the award ceremony I noticed a painting on the wall that was signed “Mayor.”   It turns out, it was painted by Mayor Dyer and donated to the city’s public art collection.  The painting is titled: Lake Eola Without Cows. 

This got me thinking.  When we normally talk about an “arts mayor,” we generally mean someone who values the arts and makes them a central part of their administration – like Mayor Dyer.

But, who are those mayors that are actually artists?  Either amateur or professional?

So, let’s find out!   Please leave a comment letting me know who your mayor is, along with their art form and if possible, a sample of their art.  I will compile a list and share it back with the readers of this blog.