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April 20, 2026
— The comprehensive renovations included the restoration of 164 sand-cast panels —
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach has earned a prestigious 2026 Florida Preservation Award for its restoration and expansion of the historic Rotunda at The Bass in Collins Park, which reopened in March as an intimate arts space. Dating back to 1961, the structure represents the surviving piece of the former public library complex at 2150 Collins Ave. The $5.79 million work included a new restroom and lobby addition, new interior finishes within the 2,855-square-foot rotunda and the restoration of 164 sand-cast panels.
“This preservation award is a powerful recognition of our commitment to protecting both the history and cultural identity of Miami Beach,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “We didn’t just preserve a space—we elevated it, honoring its past while creating new opportunities for arts and culture. It’s a clear win for our community.”
Encircled by the sand-cast panels created by artist Albert Vrana, the rotunda underwent a comprehensive renovation by AVR Contractors Corp. along with artistic restoration by VAS Art Productions on behalf of the city. Each panel, first sculpted in sand from a detailed scale model and then cast in concrete, contributes to Vrana’s monumental narrative cycle, The Story of Man. Together, they form an immersive sculptural environment in which figures, symbols and abstract forms emerge from shifting depths of relief, capturing the evolution of humanity through movement and texture. Vrana, the late sculptor known for pushing the boundaries of material experimentation, developed a pioneering post‑hydro sand‑casting technique to achieve the panels’ distinctive, almost ethereal surface quality.
Previously known as the Collins Park Rotunda, the venue’s new name reflects its expanded role as a satellite gallery for The Bass Museum of Art, which is steps away across the beautifully landscaped Collins Park. The project was funded in part by the 2022 voter-approved General Obligation Bond for Arts & Culture along with a grant from the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture.
After more than 60 years in a harsh coastal environment, hidden corrosion and structural deterioration were discovered behind the mural facade during a renovation. Rather than accept partial or cosmetic repairs, the City of Miami Beach authorized a comprehensive conservation project to safely remove, refurbish and reinstall the panels. VAS engineered a custom handling system and conservation approach that protected fragile sculptural edges while upgrading anchors, stabilizing concrete and preserving Vrana’s sand-cast texture. The project secured an irreplaceable work of integrated public art and ensures that the rotunda can continue to serve as a city landmark while remaining materially authentic to its mid-century origins.
The annual Florida Preservation Awards highlight and celebrate the people and work being done to preserve Florida’s extraordinary history and heritage. This year’s awards will be presented during the Preserve Florida 2026 conference in St. Petersburg on May 14-15.
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