September 30, 2026 · Ormond Beach Buzz

A Permanent Tribute to Gulf War Veterans Could Come to Ormond Memorial Art Museum

By Staff report

The Art & Gardens sign reading "Honoring Our Veterans" in front of the pink Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens building, framed by palm trees. — Photo courtesy of the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens

A new public art piece honoring the men and women who served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm is moving through Ormond Beach's approval process, with a public hearing set for Monday, Oct. 5.

The short version
The Arts District Board meets at 4 p.m. Oct. 5 in Conference Room 103 at City Hall, 22 S. Beach St.
The museum proposes a permanent sculpture in its gardens at 78 E. Granada Blvd.
The design centers on the "100 hours" ground campaign — precision, unity, bravery and national pride.
Any board recommendation goes next to the City Commission.

The Hearing

The Ormond Beach Arts District Board will meet at 4 p.m. Oct. 5 in Conference Room 103 at City Hall, 22 S. Beach St., to consider an administrative request from Stephanie Mason-Teague, executive director of the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens. The request covers a permanent public sculpture at the museum, located at 78 E. Granada Blvd. within the Downtown Community Redevelopment Area.

The Arts District Board is an advisory body that reviews proposals for original artwork on public property and makes recommendations to the City Commission on a content-neutral basis.

What the Museum Has Proposed

In August, the museum issued a call to artists for the project. The selected artist or team will design, fabricate and install a sculpture in the museum's gardens reflecting what organizers describe as the defining characteristics of the Gulf War: precision, unity, bravery and national pride. A central theme is the "100 hours" ground campaign, meant to symbolize the mission's speed and coordination.

A Museum Built to Honor Veterans

The tribute fits the museum's origins. Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens was founded in 1946 as a memorial to veterans of the world wars, and returning servicemen helped clear the land for its gardens. The grounds already include sculptures dedicated to the Korean War and the Vietnam War, along with a bronze plaque inside the museum listing Ormond Beach residents who served in World War II.

The museum marked its 80th anniversary this year, and Mason-Teague has said the gardens are a major focus for its future.

What Happens Next

The Oct. 5 hearing is the next public step. Residents who want to comment can attend in person. Any recommendation from the Arts District Board would then move to the City Commission, and the museum has not announced a timeline for selecting an artist or completing the installation.

Ormond Beach Buzz will report on the hearing's outcome.

Sources

Reported by Staff report for Ormond Beach Buzz. Candidate filings, precinct details and voting information come from the City of Ormond Beach.

Official city information