A R T & C U L T U R E
This is the first of many planned murals that are coming into fruition for our neighborhood . Tada !’ s studio just received a mural , expressing a self-proclamation that the Channel District will once again become an art district . Each letter of the 3D word ART captures a different look into art in this neighborhood , from my personal interactions . The “ A ” holds a sign stating “ Yield to Art in Transit ” and is only usually seen hung on museum ’ s back hallways , while a pin-up girl ’ s dress is being picked up by a large construction crane . Moving “ this piece of art ” onwards and upwards is constant in the Channel District . The “ R ” showcases Superman and Batman watching our Tampa skyline in the evening hours , as the city entertains you by painting big colorful brushstrokes on herself . It only seems appropriate that the “ T ” keeps to a traditional coastal pattern , ornate with seashells , fountains of foliage , and a seahorse .
Technology and community networking can also connect the arts and cultural or historic links in a city in stunning ways . Just as in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami , where walls are adorned with massive , kaleidoscopic murals , our city is at the beginning stages of making Tampa a recognizable name among art enthusiasts . It is a magical place .
While the opportunities may not be enough to persuade artists to move to Tampa ( yet ), they provide an added incentive for artists who are already residents of the greater downtown community . Downtown Tampa holds special pride for the Tampa River Arts District , which has been an ongoing project as a destination spot for art aficionados , residents , collectors , and all that appreciate the arts and nature .
Leon “ Tes One ” Bedore and Ales “ Bask ” Hostomsky were awarded a whopping $ 100,000 commission from the City of Tampa Art Programs Division to turn the William F . Poe Parking Garage on Ashley Drive into visual public art . The artists brought in the Vitale Brothers for extra help and were given license to beautify , while adding colorful inspiration , to what was a mundane parking garage . The Stay Curious five-story mural ’ s website explains it was made as a tribute to moments we need to take of reflection , intuition , and discovery . This rings true for adults and children . A true artistic collaboration of Greater Tampa Bay , these artists come from both ends of the bridge . Tes One is a Tampa resident and Bask and the Vitale Brothers are St . Petersburg residents . Bravo guys !
Not even a year old , Stay Curious has been deemed a welcoming beacon into downtown . One of the first to support this idea was Mayor Bob Buckhorn , after he learned that the garage was in need of being resealed and repainted . Don ’ t let the buck stop there , Mr . Mayor ; we are surrounded by a bevy of concrete parking garages !
To learn more visit : www . tesone . com / stay-curious /
Speaking of pride , it is hard to miss the red , white , and blue mural in downtown Tampa of an 80 ’ x 30 ’ American Flag Mural . World renowned artist Scott LoBaido is a Staten Island native and self-proclaimed American Creative Patriot . He is most recently known for the completion of the continental United States tour called Painting Flags across America . LoBaido painted our city ’ s mural for days from a man lift in May 2013 and completed a waving American flag on the downtown Tampa Firefighters Museum .
In the long history of his painting career , a large focus has been on the intricate tapestry of American culture , freedom , patriotism , service , and nostalgia . The mural on the museum is a constant reminder and " Thank You " to the
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