Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 7-3-20

Local
‘Art On The Block’ Murals Inspire Community Unity
MAYOR JANE CASTOR - at ribbon cutting for downtown mural. (Photo By: Julia Jackson)
Last Saturday, Mayor Jane Castor hosted the un- veiling of colorful murals in the community. They are lo- cated at five different locations within the city.
Ms. Ashley Bauman,
Marketing and Communica- tions Director for Mayor Castor said, “The murals were designed to celebrate di-
versity and heritage and bring the community together in unity. They are also part of her Vision Zero program to bring about zero pedestrian deaths.”
The City commissioned local artists to paint five inter- sections throughout the City, on Saturday, June 27th, with the intent of unity and inclu- siveness. So far, more than a
This mural is located at the intersection of E. 21st Avenue and N. 15th Street. (Photo courtesy of the City of Tampa)
dozen street murals have been painted in the City of Tampa.
“Art on the Block” is an ini- tiative Mayor Castor intro-
duced to bring art and artists into the neighborhoods. The intent of this program is to make art accessible to all and to further incentivize curb ap- peal. Street murals also help to calm traffic by adding visual interest to an intersection or street.
The City’s intersection mural program supports the Vision Zero mission, eliminat- ing all traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries, which is one key facet of Mayor Cas- tor’s Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow. Intersection mu- rals are effective tools for im- proving street safety, enhancing the livability of our streets, revitalizing public spaces, and bringing commu- nities together.
The City partnered with several local organizations to achieve its goal. The murals
are located at:
The Downtown Black Lives
Matter is located at East Cass Street and North Jefferson Street. The Lead Artist: Illsol x The New Roots Collec- tive managed by Reece Fer- nando Moore and Melvin Halsey, Jr.
The mural in Tampa Heights is located at North Franklin Street and West Hen- derson Avenue – Artist: Cam Parker.
The West Tampa, Habana Avenue and West Tampa Bay Boulevard – Artist: Cecilia Lueza.
The Westshore, West Lau- rel Street and North Grady Av- enue – Artist: Anthony Freese.
The East Tampa, East 21st Avenue and North 15th Street – Artist: James Vann.
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