Downtown Clearwater
Winter l Spring 59
Downtown Clearwater Transformed With Four
New Murals
The walls of Downtown Clearwater have been
transformed. The city's Community Redevelopment
Agency (CRA) hired four teams of muralists to
convert four buildings by adding majestic colors and
artistic designs that have enhanced, enriched and excited
Downtown Clearwater. In partnership with four downtown
property owners, the CRA commissioned murals that tell
the story of Downtown Clearwater’s past, present and future
from different points of view.
Three muralists were from the Tampa Bay region, and one
team came from Uruguay. The muralists started their work
in November and worked through December.
“The murals will not only improve the visual appearance of
downtown, but they will celebrate the nuance, complexity
and diversity that exists among the residents and businesses
here,” said Amanda Thompson, the city’s CRA director.
Three of the buildings are privately owned, and one building
is owned by the city of Clearwater. The city's CRA staff
worked with the Downtown Development Board, the Public
Art and Design Board, the property owners and the artists to
collaborate and choose unique mural designs.
After receiving more than 100 applications from local,
domestic and international muralists, the property owners
chose the muralists.
Justin McAllister and the Gibbs High School Mural
Club of St. Petersburg designed and painted the mural
at the Flag Company, 1360 Cleveland St., Clearwater.
McAllister is an illustrator, muralist and visual arts
instructor at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at
Gibbs High School.
Florencia Durán and Camilo Nuñez of Uruguay
designed and painted the mural at the city's Garden
Avenue Garage, 28 North Garden Ave. Durán and
Nuñez, who paint under the moniker Colectivo Licuado,
have painted murals in capital cities and in small towns
in different parts of the world.
The husband-and-wife team of Michelle Sawyer and
Tony Krol of Tampa designed and painted the mural at
Creative Contractors, 620 Drew St. Their final pieces
are subtly textured with overlaying clear images and bold
lines.
Cecilia Lueza of St. Petersburg designed and painted the
mural at a commercial property at 512 Cleveland St. The
Argentinian-born visual artist is known for her vibrant
public art pieces in a range of mixed media.