Conservation and restoration work on Roy Lichtenstein's Mermaid (1979) is complete, City Manager Eric Carpenter informed the Mayor and City Commission in a letter dated June 26, 2026, marking the end of a roughly 12-week effort to address years of deterioration on one of Miami Beach's most prominent public artworks.
The sculpture, located in the lawn area adjacent to The Fillmore Miami Beach near the corner of 17th Street and Washington Avenue, had been exhibiting corrosion, structural issues, faded paint, and a deteriorating pool basin before work began. The project was carried out by RLA Conservation of Art and Architecture.
Work commenced March 27, 2026, and was completed on schedule June 17, 2026. Conservators performed a range of treatments, including replacement of the lower metal beams, repairs and cleaning of the sculpture's metal and concrete elements, and a full repainting using an industrial paint system color-matched to the artwork's original colors. The pool basin and tiles were also repaired and cleaned, the basin and wall were repainted with color-matched pool paint, and the bronze plaque received a cleaning and protective wax coating.
The project was led by the city's Tourism and Culture Department, with support from the Parks, Facilities, Fleet and Beaches, Public Works, Marketing and Communications, and Parking departments.
Residents seeking additional information may contact Francys Vallecillo, Interim Director of Tourism and Culture, at [email protected] or extension 26326.
