South Florida PBS acquires "Hanako"

May 11
1 min read

Karen LaMonte Floating World bronze kimono sculptures installed at South Florida PBS in 2025.

CAST BRONZE KIMONO SCULPTURE

ACQUIRED AND INSTALLED IN DECEMBER 2025

"I was a PBS baby. I grew up on Sesame Street, watched The Electric Company, and still think ZOOM sounds more like a fun place to play than a videoconference.

Even now, I depend on PBS for NewsHour and Masterpiece Theatre. What I didn’t know is that PBS is made up of member organizations. Among them, South Florida PBS is a leader in creating physical space for in-person learning and engagement for all ages.

In late 2025, South Florida PBS acquired Hanako, a cast bronze kimono. In a first, one of my Floating World sculptures is installed over water as the centerpiece of a fountain at the Cornelia T. Bailey Cultural Arts Center in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Karen LaMonte Floating World bronze kimono sculptures installed within a fountain at South Florida PBS in 2025.

South Florida PBS describes its mission in terms of trustworthy public media, experiential learning, community engagement, and bringing the arts to everyone.

A closeup look at Karen LaMonte's Floating World bronze kimono sculptures Hanako, installed at South Florida PBS in 2025.

It is the first public cultural center created by a PBS member organization, with exhibitions, permanent art installations, and immersive programs that combine art, history, and science. South Florida PBS has also built a serious arts presence through Art Loft, its Emmy-winning series on artists, institutions, public art, and the contemporary art scene.

I love how Hanako greets South Florida PBS guests from her gorgeous new home."

For more on South Florida PBS, visit their website here. For more on Floating World sculptures click here. And to watch Hanako's installation in time-lapse, watch the video below: