The City of Tampa’s Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs plays a key role in telling the story of our city; it also humanizes the built environment and invigorates public spaces. Artwork commissioned through any of the programs under the division may provide an intersection between past, present and future, between disciplines, and between ideas.
New Public Art at Tampa Convention Center ¶
Recurrence, by Luftwerk, was recently installed at the Tampa Convention Center. This is the first of three installations coming to the Tampa Convention Center. Recurrence brings the outside environment into the Convention Center, and much like the coastal city, represents the meeting point of the natural world and our built environment. Using data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this dimensional wall sculpture interprets the Hillsborough Bay and Davis Island tidal pattern. The shape of the LED lines and changing colors visualize this diurnal tidal cycle where tides rise and fall along the lunar day.
McKay Bay Transfer Station Mural ¶
Artist Rafael Blanco recently completed a large-scale mural at the McKay Bay Transfer Station. Blanco’s mural is a tribute to the diverse workforce and depicts the services provided by the Solid Waste Department. Catch a glimpse into his process in the embedded video below.
New Mural in Seminole Heights! ¶
Award-winning artist, Naomi Haverland, was commissioned by the City of Tampa to create a site-specific mural at the Wayne Papy Athletic Center in Seminole Heights. Ms. Haverland worked with some of the young athletes that attend the center and developed an image that depicts an imaginary, joyful world created by a child.
There's still time to submit your recipe to be considered for the Soulwalk Cookbook! Deadline is February 29, 2024. ¶
We welcome the public’s recipes, snippets of memories, profiles of people and businesses, and other notes about the preparation and consumption of food. Submit your favorite recipe online, or mail us a copy of your recipe - visit any of our Parks and Recreation Community Centers to get a self addressed stamped-envelope!¶
Mayor Castor and Chief Barbara Tripp recently dedicated “Tampa's LIGHT," a new mural commissioned by the City of Tampa, Arts & Cultural Affairs Division, showcasing a visual timeline of Tampa Fire Rescue's rich 128-year history. The mural is a captivating visual, that welcomes all visitors as they enter the headquarters of Tampa's premier fire department.
The City of Tampa commissioned Frankie Gonzalez, a Tampa artist, to create a site-specific mural that pays tribute to the history and services provided by Tampa Fire Rescue. His mural invites visitors and employees at Tampa Fire Rescue to take a moment to honor and celebrate the individuals who dedicate themselves to the department's core values, which are integrity, honesty, loyalty, and trust.
The artist's use of vibrant colors and juxtaposition of imagery tells a cohesive story of the Department's evolution and impact on the community. The mural location is in the lobby and 3rd floor of Tampa Fire Rescue Headquarters: 808 E. Zack St., Tampa 33602.
"Ybor Speaks" is a unique public art project created to celebrate the immigrant experience in Ybor City from the 1890s to the 1980s. The City of Tampa, Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs commissioned playwright Sheila Cowley and sound designer Matt Cowley to create immersive soundscapes and audio vignettes, to create this vivid experience. The sights, sounds, scents and feel of daily life in Ybor through selections read aloud, and audio theatre shorts take the listener back in time through Ybor City history.
"History Starts Here" by Tampa artist, Nneka Jones, is a sports-related design that reminds people to play, practice and persevere. The mural is located at the Gwen Miller Community Center at 6410 N 32nd St, Tampa, FL
Perry Harvey, Sr. Park
The art installations at Perry Harvey, Sr. Park in East downtown work together in an attempt to tell the story of the abundant contributions of the African American community and Historic Central Avenue. This artwork was made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Julian B Lane Park
One of Tampa’s premier downtown parks, Julian B. Lane Riverfront park features Public Art that is engaging, thoughtful and recognizes the foundations of the past, folklore and history of West Tampa. Winner of the American Architecture Award, artists worked alongside planners on placement and content of their artwork.
Coloring Book
Grab your crayons! Download pages of Color Me Tampa! for a colorful way to learn about our city.
Story of Tampa Mural
Artist Lynn Ash to create a large painting that would weave together many of the notable aspects of Tampa's unique character and identity.
