The City of Tampa commissioned local artists to paint five intersections throughout the city on Saturday, June 27th, with their Art on the Block Mural Day. The event was an initiative by Mayor Jane Castor that aimed to bring art and artists into neighborhoods and create “unity and inclusiveness.”
Freelance photographer, Chip Weiner, attended the event to document the day’s work. Weiner was drawn to the event’s theme and wanted to capture the artists’ vision come to reality. “It was a powerful day. The community came together,” Weiner said, in light of recent demonstrations denouncing police brutality and racism. “The attitudes of everyone participating was a refreshing change to the turmoil happening otherwise on local streets.”
Different organizations sponsored the work and anyone could help by showing up. Volunteers were asked to wear a mask and keep social distance.
Here are a few of the murals Weiner documented. Visit the City of Tampa’s website for a full list of mural locations.
East Tampa, East 21st Avenue and North 15th Street, by James Vann
The patchwork design was sponsored by the East Tampa CRA.
Downtown, East Cass Street and North Jefferson Street, by various
This mural, themed for Black Lives Matter, was co-sponsored by the Tampa Downtown Partnership and Greenman-Pedersen. Lead artist was Illsol x The New Roots Collective with collaboration from Melvin Halsey, Jr., Jitt Brodie, Meclina Priestley, Nneka Jones, Ron S. Dot, Reece Fernando Moore, Mellissa Koby and Jason Henson.
Tampa Heights, North Franklin Street and West Henderson Avenue, by Cam Parker
The rainbow fist was co-sponsored by the Tampa Downtown Partnership and Tampa LGBT Chamber.
West Tampa, Habana Avenue and West Tampa Bay Boulevard, by Cecilia Lueza
The colorful patchwork of geometric shapes was sponsored by the City of Tampa.