The City of Tampa is excited to unveil the newest addition to its extensive public art collection that dates back to the late 1800’s. Located outside City Center at Hanna Avenue, the new towering sculpture is a visual metaphor of dreams coming to life.
“Open House” is open, colorful, and different. The 28 foot sculpture, which reflects the playful nature of building blocks, speaks to City Center as a place where plans become real — where new homes, businesses, and projects begin to transform from ideas into reality. Its open design invites community members to walk through it and discover its many subtly thoughtful details. Etched into its colorful panels, which represent Tampa’s dramatic sunrises and sunsets, are more than 300 street names that were submitted by the public as part of a citywide outreach component.
The artist, Erik Carlson, and his wife, Ericka Carpenter, of Rhode Island, were selected from a national call to artists. A skilled architect and a poet, the talented couple has created public artwork that spans the country, with sculptures in Denver, San Diego, and Washington, among others.
“Public art preserves and tells Tampa’s story in a beautiful and thought-provoking way,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “It also makes art accessible to everyone, which is incredibly important, particularly for our younger generations who may not be exposed to the cultural arts on a regular basis. I strongly believe visual art is one of the strongest statements a community can make to show its values and we are grateful to be able to continue to grow our collection.”
Tampa’s public art collection consists of approximately 800 pieces, with a value of approximately $19 million. “Transportation,” located at the University of Tampa, is the oldest public artwork, created in 1899. “Lightning” by Jonathan Borofsky, in front of Amalie Arena, is one of the tallest sculptures in the state. But not all public art is bold. Other smaller, but equally meaningful and historic pieces are nestled around the city for residents and visitors to explore. “Visual Welcome” by Yaacov Agam and “The Wave” by MaryAnn Ungar on Bayshore Boulevard further enhance the experience for all those who travel or exercise along the path.
More public artwork is in the pipeline, with state-of-the-art sculptures coming soon to the Tampa Convention Center.