For over three years, I have been collaborating with friends, supporters—even a world-famous artist—to bring about an exciting project. One day, close to three decades ago, Jim sat me down to tell me about this idea he had. He wanted to lead the development of a performing arts center in his home city of Orlando to bolster the community he loved so much. He wasn’t just talking about one little theatre, either. He hoped to create a destination for the arts in Orlando, where people from around the world could come to take in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, and more.
When he first shared this idea with me, I thought it was far-fetched—and I told him so! However, I knew that if anyone could do it, Jim could. From an idea shared between friends more than 20 years ago to a sculpture installation at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, I’m excited to fill in the blanks and share the full story.
Let’s start by getting to know my good friend, Jim Pugh. Jim is a Florida man, born and raised. His determination began as a child, never one to back down from a challenge. This mindset would serve him well as he became the successful businessman he is today.
What started as summers on construction sites with his father turned into graduating with a degree in construction management from the University of Florida. Fun fact: Jim covered his university tuition by working three on-campus jobs.
Jim worked in construction for a time as an estimator for a general contractor before striking out on his own and starting Epoch Properties, Inc., Epoch Management, Inc., and Epoch Residential. He was the founding CEO and long-time chairman of Epoch Enterprises, a company that has become one of the largest multifamily developers in the U.S. He is also the founder of Timescape Resorts, a retired board member of American Momentum Bank, and the owner of Barnie’s, a coffee wholesaler with a cafe in Winter Park, Florida.
Beyond his wildly successful career, Jim has always been a generous man. He and his wife, Alexis, have donated to hundreds of campaigns, causes, and organizations, earning them recognition across the country.
One of Jim’s biggest projects would transform a city that is near and dear to his heart, Orlando.
Now that you know a little bit about Jim, I’d like to share a little about how we met and how his idea sparked into reality.
Jim is a tenacious, adventurous person by nature. He never backs down and tackles everything with a “why not?” attitude. So, when we met many years ago in Dallas, we hit it off immediately.
What started as afternoons on the tennis court quickly turned into bigger adventures. Ski trips led to climbing several of the world’s largest mountains, participating in the Mile Miglia race in Italy, and sailing around the world.
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts opened in 2014, but work began over 20 years prior. Jim’s idea was just the simple first step in developing this now world-famous theatre complex.
Before ground could ever be broken, Jim had to garner the city's support, build up funds, and tackle the administrative side of things. He even called Buddy Dyer, Orlando’s current Mayor, the night before his winning election to inquire about the project. An agreement was struck that evening that if Jim was willing to take it on, Buddy would support him.
So, Jim worked closely with the city government, architects, engineers—you name it—to keep the project on track. He obtained the land, permits, funding, and construction crew. He even spent months travelling to other prestigious performing arts centres to learn all he could about lighting, seating, sound, etc.—all while running and building his own business!
What started as an idea in Jim’s head has since turned into an award-winning venue for arts of all kinds. It takes up two city blocks in downtown Orlando, home to Walt Disney Theater, Steinmetz Hall, Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, Judson's Live, DeVos Family Room, Seneff Arts Plaza and the AdventHealth School of the Arts!
The Dr. Phillips Center has been named one of Travel and Leisure magazine’s “25 New Tourist Attractions Worth Adding to Your Bucket List” and one of Southern Living magazine’s “50 Best Places in the South Now.” Visitors and Orlando residents can enjoy ballet, Broadway, comedy, kids’ shows, musical guests, educational programs and outdoor performances.
Since its opening in 2014, the Dr. Phillips Center has:
In addition, the Dr. Phillips Center has won various awards and gained global notoriety for its incredible design. An article in Architectural Digest called it one of The 11 Most Beautiful Theaters in the World. Meanwhile, National Geographic featured it in an article about some of the world’s most esteemed theaters.
I can’t express how proud I am of the immense impact my friend, Jim, has had on the city of Orlando and the state of Florida as a whole. Thanks to him, Orlando is a destination for the arts. This is why I felt strongly that Jim deserved to be honored, and it’s where the 3-year sculpture project comes in.
I thought it only fitting that Jim’s hard work in developing a performing arts center be commemorated with another incredible piece of art. So, in talks with Kathy Ramsberger, CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center, we settled on the idea of a sculpture. Kathy found Paul Day, a world-famous sculptor based in Burgundy, France, to get the job done.
This launched an incredible 3-year journey for me, Jan (my wife), Kathy, Jim, and Alexis.
Once we had Paul on board to create the sculpture, we had the delight of travelling to his home studio in Burgundy to meet him and discuss some concepts. We were lucky enough to make this trip two summers ago, where we spent our days being toured around by Paul in his vintage cars. A great friendship was forged during this trip, and I can’t say enough about how wonderful and talented Paul is.
Following this trip, Paul continued work on the sculpture, sharing sketches and drafts with us until a final version was approved by all. It was a privilege to be privy to Paul’s creative process, seeing how his mind works and how his works come to life.
The next year, we travelled back to France to see Paul’s progress on the sculpture. This trip included Jim, Alexis, Kathy, and me. We were absolutely blown away by how far the project had come in just one year! We got to see the pieces of the sculpture come to life, including depictions of Jim, artists and performers, and even me.
On this trip in 2024, we provided feedback for Paul to implement before the sculpture’s final firing in Prague. You bet we made the trip across the ocean for this piece of the process as well! Again, it was Kathy, Alexis, Jim and me. We got to learn all about how the sculpture is fired in bronze, guided by the professionals in Prague and Paul himself.
Following the incredible trip to Prague, arrangements were made to transport the statue across the ocean by boat to Florida. It was then installed at the Dr. Phillips Center for all guests to admire when they visit.
At the official unveiling event on October 9th, I was proud to join a great lineup of speakers to honor Jim. I shared some details about our friendship and Jim’s incredible work ethic and leadership, and others shared similar stories and sentiments.
We heard from Kathy Ramsberger, Buddy Dyer, Orlando Mayor, Jerry Demmings, Orange County Mayor, Ed Timberlake, Chairman of the Dr. Phillips Center, Paul Day, me, and Jim himself.
It was fantastic to celebrate Jim’s unbelievable work at last. Thank you to everyone who organized this event, went on this sculpture journey with me, and celebrated Jim in October.
