Among its clerks and commissioners, the city of Gainesville's employees include a variety of artists.
An exhibit of artwork by city employees - including paintings, sculptures and carvings - is on display in the Thomas Center Mezzanine Gallery until Sept. 21.
The show was first held in 2005 and has expanded to include more than 50 works by 15 artists.
Erin Friedburg, the city's visual arts coordinator, first discussed the idea with Matt Dubé, an artist who works for the Community Redevelopment Agency.
"He mentioned there was a lot of creative talent in the city and that there should be a show," Friedburg said.
For many of the artists, the works on display reflects their work with the city.
Steve Phillips, director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, said his interest in plants and animals led him to work with both art and wildlife issues.
Phillips' nature prints have been used as illustrations by the Alachua Audubon Society. He's also used his woodcarvings to show the employees of the Nature Operations Division the difference between a coral snake and a king snake.
"My job is perfect," he said. "I have the best of all worlds."
Gary Paul, Nature Operations coordinator for volunteer services, was originally inspired to become a photographer by Gainesville's Morningside Nature Center.
Six years ago, a UF graduate student recorded more than 530 species at the park, Paul said.
So far, Paul has photographed 358 species. He edits most of his pictures to look like botanical prints, on a white background with a scientific name.
He's also been influenced by Morningside's Living History Farm, where costumed actors reenact life in 1870, and he has photographed the staff's pictures in sepia tones.
Paul doesn't sell his work, but the city often uses it in newsletters and annual reports, he said.
"I am getting used, and that feels nice," he said.
Others worked in art long before working for Gainesville.
Sherry Wetzel is a computer programmer for Gainesville Regional Utilities who is showing her pencil sketches in the exhibit. She said she's been drawing since elementary school and put herself through college with her portraits.
Wetzel's job doesn't require her to sketch much, she said, but it does require an artist's eye.
"When I'm designing the programs, I get to use the design elements you would use in a good painting," she said.
David Ballard, a city events coordinator who worked for 30 years as a puppet master, had his handmade marionettes on display.
Ballard is helping to plan a children's amphitheater at the Thomas Center, influenced by his background in theater.
Once the theater is complete, it may host a few puppet shows, he said.
"For me, it's a passion," Ballard said.
Friedburg, whose own pottery and handmade jewelry is on display in the show, said she didn't think Gainesville's employees included more artists than any other city.
"I think we all have an artist within us," she said.
