Florida – Tampa (Sep 2020)

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While we were at LazyDays for our annual RV checkup, we decided to drive around the Tampa area and look at murals. Apparently, we had not done that before. So we were off again. Once again, we were able to read about the artists and their intent of the mural. There are many prominent artists in Tampa that continue to put new work up. Reading their stories of why they painted the murals are inspiring – either to reflect what is going on in Tampa, the life of residents or to even upgrade the area. The murals cause a lot of tourists so that allows tourists to see parts of the city that they would normally not see and hopefully, stop by the nearby businesses.

Massive mural welcomes Tom Brady to Tampa. When Dr. Gregory Cobb, a lifelong Bucs fan, learned Tom Brady was coming to Tampa, he decided to welcome the celebrity quarterback with a massive mural in his honor. He enlisted the help of Eric “Esh” Hornsby, who’s been painting since he could color, to make his vision come to life. Dr. Cobb said the mural isn’t just for the home team, it’s also meant to be something positive for the community.

“I’m on Busch Boulevard and it wasn’t too long ago they were burning down a mobile station just a handful of blocks from me,” he said. “There was just so much chaos here. We wanted to bring something to the community that everyone could agree upon and sports is something that’s always brought people together no matter what your views are. In our area, a lot of these people can’t afford to go to the Buccs games, so they can come here and take some images and videos with the mural and still feel like they are a part of the football, and the season, and the community.”
“In and Out” commissioned 2018 by Artist: Michael Parker. The western mural (facing parking lot) includes similar symbolism using aerial views of Sulphur Springs and stairs in a symmetrical pattern.
Location: Rowlett Park, Sulphur Springs
Raquetball courts – eastern and western facades.
2401 E Yukon St, Tampa, FL 33604 
Artist: Michael Parker
“Cuscaden, Past, Present and Future” commissioned 2011 focuses on the historical importance of the park, one of the neighborhood’s current cultural leaders, and two individuals that represent the future of Cuscaden Park and the surrounding neighborhood. The background is an image of the iconic Cuscaden Pool, taken decades ago, in its heyday.
Location: Cuscaden Park 
Republica de Cuba and E. 21st Avenue 
Artist: Allen Leper Hampton
“Dream Pushers” commissioned 2016
Location: The Dream Center
2908 N. 15th Street
We captured this from the freeway while we were driving. Too bad we couldn’t go in.
Tampa Heights is very supportive of street art and have many programs supporting it on a regular basis. It is the city’s oldest suburb. This is one of the grungier wall murals in Tampa. Heights founder, William Henderson, built the first telegraph line. The cigar industry was, and is, a major part of Tampa culture and history. Tobacco leaves and flowers connect the hands, creating a frame for the central image. Big and bold, the hands are a nod to the workers that kept Tampa industry moving. “est 1889” is seen in the painted letters on the grey background and Florida’s state flower (the Orange Blossom) is repeated in it as well.  In addition, an image of old Tampa Heights, a view of Franklin Street when the streetcar system was still in use as public transportation. Artist is Michelle Sawyer
Bird, Bird, Bird Another mural by Michelle Sawyer. she favored simplicity in her color palette, sticking to two colors: blue and pink (with various shades of both to create outlines and some shading). The black background gives this statement piece an even bigger pop! 
Bad Romance. this bad romance mural by artist Charles Gallagher. 
Yellow Brick Row -The Tampa Heights Civic Association asked local artist Tarachy to paint a mural for the yellow brick buildings on North Franklin Avenue that house the Rialto Theatre and surrounding businesses. The Tin Man represents Hidden Springs. The Lion represents the coffee culture. Dorothy’s holding woodworking tools to represent Franklin Woodwork. The Scarecrow represents the Salvation Army and embodies the homeless. 

The result, “Yellow Brick Row,” (August 2016) with its “Wizard of Oz” theme, has become a popular attraction and has gained the artist even more fans.
1601 N Franklin S
The Incomparable, Lady Gaga Mural by Cam Parker. Check out his video below that shows him painting it.
https://twitter.com/i/status/928268670958211073

The colors and painting in this mural were absolutely beautiful in person and is the left side of the mural above.

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