History has many ties; or How Tamarac is connected to Michael Jackson.

(Originally published in The Forum March 3, 2010)

by: Chad Quinn

You may not realize this, but Tamarac is forever tied to a legendary pop icon by way of an unassuming Colorado woman. Jane DeDecker, the artist who created two of Tamarac’s newest public art sculptures, Dawn and Dusk, is a highly sought after artist who was commissioned by the late Michael Jackson on several occasions to create artwork for his Neverland Ranch in California.

It’s an interesting story… sort of our own six degrees of separation, and it’s stories like these that make up our history. Some of those stories are more interesting, more juicy, or more salacious, than others (and over the past several months I’ve heard a couple, but those will have to wait until another column, or venue) for now, I’d like to tell the story of how Jane DeDecker and her sculptures, not necessarily in that order, came to Tamarac.

You may have previously read about the unveiling of Dawn and Dusk in the Forum, or in the Tam-A-Gram, the City of Tamarac’s official quarterly publication – how these two amazing new sculptures, located in between the Tamarac Community Center and Tamarac Branch of the Broward County Public Library, to paraphrase Ms. DeDecker, represent the community rising to greet the day (Dawn) and then nestling together in repose to put the sun to bed (Dusk).

The sculptures are part of Tamarac’s Public Art Program which is paid for by the Public Art Fund which was established by the City Commission in 2005 with the passage of the Public Art Ordinance (the ordinance requires that 1% of the construction value of new projects or improvements be set aside for public art).

In May of 2008 the Tamarac Public Art Committee put a call out to artist for the two areas overlooking the pond in between the Community Center and Library. The Committee narrowed down the 130 entries to 5 finalists and then decided upon Dawn and Dusk which they recommended to the City Commission (on March 11, 2009). The Commission unanimously approved the Committee’s recommendation and installation of the sculptures took place over a two-day period in October and was oversaw by Ms. DeDecker’s brother, David. Unfortunately, neither Ms. DeDecker, nor her brother, were available to return for the November unveiling but, they were able to return earlier this month (on February 11, 2009) for the dedication of the newest public art installation, “Under the Shadow of a Big Tree”, at Tephford Park.


After the dedication of this latest art piece, Ms. DeDecker participated in a discussion about her artwork – everything from the conceptualizing, design, creation, molding, and installation of new commissions. It was this trip that truly solidified Ms. DeDecker’s tie to our community – the shared experience and the filling in of the details in Dawn and Dusk’s story, and it was here that she recalled her work for Michael Jackson.

It was also during this discussion that Ms. DeDecker discussed the artwork she has created for other communities across the country – an interesting juxtaposition against the types of binds that have most recently tied cities across the country together, mainly revenue shortfalls and cutbacks. Despite the trying times we find ourselves in, Dawn and Dusk will be here to comfort our community for years to come, to greet us in the morning, and tuck us in at night. Challenging times will come and go, but art and the intentions it represents, can have a positive and lasting effect.

Jane DeDecker, and by extension Michael Jackson, are now part of Tamarac’s story.

What role do you play in our City? You are the key to preserving Tamarac’s history – it’s as easy as donating an old family photo or document, or volunteering your time. If you have something to share, contact the Tamarac Historical Society at history@tamarac.org, or (954) 597-3523.

Photo Captions:

Top Photo: Dawn overlooking the pond in-between the Tamarac Community Center and the Tamarac Branch of the Broward County Library on Commercial Boulevard.

Bottom Photo: Renowned sculptor Jane DeDecker discussed her art at the Tamarac Recreation Center on February 11, 2009.