A fun and free activity in downtown historic Kissimmee is a self guided mural tour. The murals are…read morepart of The Time For Art is Now public art project funded by Osceola Arts in downtown Kissimmee. The projects mission is to revitalize the downtown area with colorful works of art. KowTown is a 69X18 foot mural by Irish American artist Shea Monaghan. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, he moved to the Space Coast as a young boy. Living mainly in Melbourne, he enjoyed fishing, the beach, and the outdoors. While attending art classes at UCF in 2014 he started two graphic design companies. He now works on large scale acrylic paintings, murals, and free lance graphic design. KowTown takes its inspiration from the agricultural history of Kissimmee when it was nicknamed Kowtown or cowtown. Prior to the opening of Disney World in 1971, ranching was an important part of the Kissimmee economy. Cracker cowboys named after the 'crack' their whips made, tended to herds of cattle on large ranches. I love the historical nod of this mural. Its vibrant colors make it a real standout in the downtown area.

A fun and free activity in downtown historic Kissimmee is a self guided mural tour. The murals are…read morepart of The Time For Art is Now public art project funded by Osceola Arts in downtown Kissimmee. The projects mission is to revitalize the downtown area with colorful works of art. This work is different than the other murals in the downtown in that it is not brand new but instead Osceola Arts rehabilitated it. Located on the exterior walls of Lanier's Historic Market Place, this mural was created in early 2000 by artist Tom Copella. Tom began his art career by attending the Art Institute in Pittsburgh. Upon graduating, he moved around a lot finally settling in Kissimmee Florida where he painted numerous murals. Tom passed away unexpectedly in 2021. The large scene depicts a time gone by. It tells the story of a small town city filled with businesses, neighbors, friends, and their pets. Some of the figure are based on real historical people. Tom Copella painted himself and his wife carrying a bucket into the center of the mural. The mural was recently restored by local artist Juliana Davidson and her assistant Casey who have worked on numerous historical murals in the area. Murals are a great way to tell the history of an area. Over thirty years the paint faded on the Lanier mural. Cracks were repaired and paint was added to the figures. Julianna did an outstanding job bringing the mural back to life. I love the charm and exquisite detail, like the shadow of a bird as it flies up the building.

You can't miss this mural on the side of Toho Square Parking Garage. It is the 12th mural in The…read moretime For Art Is Now public art project funded by Osceola Arts in downtown historic Kissimmee. The mural is called Exploding Kingfisher and it was painted in 2021 by artist Chris Maslow from Melbourne Florida. He chose to use the Kingfisher because it is a bird native to Kissimmee Florida. He wanted you to be able to feel the movement, growth, and acceleration of the bird in the piece. I love the colors in the mural and the dynamic movement of the bird. I have followed many photographers on Facebook who have tried for years to capture the moment a kingfisher hits the water. They are a beautiful bird and I love how this one was captured on the mural.

During my visit to St. Cloud I enjoyed exploring the murals throughout downtown. One of my…read morefavorites was the Joyland Beach Mural which is part of the St. Cloud Historic Mural Trail, a collection of paintings that celebrate and preserve significant moments in St. Cloud's history. The trail is also connected to a larger statewide network linking Florida communities through public mural art. Located at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 10th Street, the Joyland Beach Mural transports visitors back to one of St. Cloud's most beloved destinations. The artwork depicts the Joyland Pier and Dance Hall, once situated on the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga near Ohio Avenue. During the mid-20th century, Joyland Beach served as a popular gathering place for both residents and visitors, offering relaxation, recreation, and entertainment. Families and friends flocked to its sandy beaches, swimming facilities, and picnic areas. The site's history dates back to 1911, when a boat dock and bathhouse were first constructed. After the original structures were destroyed by fire, they were replaced by the Joyland Pier. In April 1923, a new bathing pavilion was built, only to be lost to another fire in July 1935. Today, the area is home to the St. Cloud Lakefront, while memories of those simpler times live on through this downtown mural. The Joyland Beach Mural was created by artist Al Pepin. A figurative fine artist and product designer based in St. Cloud, Pepin is best known for his large-scale public murals, many of which can be found throughout downtown St. Cloud.

During my visit to St. Cloud I enjoyed exploring the murals throughout downtown. One that caught my…read moreinterest is the Historic St. Cloud Fire Station Mural which is part of the St. Cloud Historic Mural Trail, a collection of paintings that celebrate and preserve significant moments in St. Cloud's history. The trail is also connected to a larger statewide network linking Florida communities through public mural art. The mural depicts St. Cloud's first fire station, which was housed in the Osceola County State Bank building. Constructed in 1911 by N. F. Bass at the corner of 19th Street and Florida Avenue, the building later served as St. Cloud City Hall. In 1920, the city purchased the property and added an extension on the south side to accommodate its fire station. The artwork recreates the original fire station garage and fire truck. A particularly interesting detail is the window, where viewers can see the buildings across the street as they would have appeared at the time, along with the reflection of a vintage automobile parked in front of the station. The mural was painted by artist Juliana Davidson, who holds a degree in Commercial Art and has more than 20 years of experience in scenic painting, graphic design, curating, and artistic creation. Her attention to historic detail makes this a memorable stop on the historic mural trail.

While exploring downtown St. Cloud, I came across the St. Cloud Sugar Belt Railway mural next to…read morethe local VFW Post. I enjoy historic trains and railroad history, so it caught my attention. The mural by Maria Arenas & Susi Sotois is part of the St. Cloud Historic Mural Trail, a collection of public artworks that celebrates and preserves the city's rich heritage. The trail is also connected to a larger statewide network that links Florida communities through public mural art. The St. Cloud Sugar Belt Railway was founded in 1888 by Hamilton Disston to serve his sugar plantation and mill on the eastern shore of Lake Tohopekaliga, an area that would later become St. Cloud. The railroad opened in November 1890, running from Kissimmee through the St. Cloud plantation to Narcoossee. Its trains transported sugar, vegetables, other agricultural products, passengers, and freight. The railroad played an important role in the region's early development. In 1917, a brick station replaced the original wooden depot, which was known as Sunny Side. Over the years, the line came under the ownership of the South Florida Railroad and later the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, where it operated as the Narcoossee Branch. The railroad was ultimately abandoned in 1942. One of the line's reminders is the 1918 passenger depot in St. Cloud, which still stands today. The historic building now serves as the local VFW Post, a neighbor to this mural that honors the community's railroad heritage.

During my visit to St. Cloud, I enjoyed exploring the colorful murals scattered throughout the…read morehistoric downtown district. One of my favorites was "Welcome to St. Cloud," located on Pennsylvania Avenue. It is part of the St. Cloud Historic Mural Trail, a collection of public artworks that celebrate and preserve the city's rich history. The trail is also connected to a larger statewide network that links Florida communities through public mural art. Designed in the style of a vintage postcard, this eye-catching mural captures the spirit of St. Cloud through a series of historic images incorporated into each letter of the city's name. The artwork features scenes of a bathing beauty, a Union soldier representing the Civil War veterans who settled the town, early pioneers, fishing, cattle ranching, and the citrus industry. Each image highlights an important chapter in St. Cloud's past. It is one of the best photo spots downtown since it proudly announces that you've visited St. Cloud. The mural was created by local artist Al Pepin, who also painted the nearby Joyland Beach mural. A figurative fine artist and product designer based in St. Cloud, Pepin is well known for his large-scale public art, with many of his murals displayed throughout the downtown area. If you're exploring St. Cloud, this mural is a wonderful place to begin your walk along the Historic Mural Trail.

While exploring downtown St. Cloud, I came across the St. Cloud Fife and Drum Corps mural next to…read morethe American Legion Civic Hall. It caught my attention because of the fascinating history it represents. This mural is part of the St. Cloud Historic Mural Trail, a collection of public artworks that celebrate and preserves the city's heritage. The trail is also connected to a larger statewide network that links Florida communities through public mural art. The mural was inspired by the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post 34 and the St. Cloud Fife and Drum Corps, organizations that played a significant role in the city's early history. Following the Spanish-American War, veterans joined Union veterans of the Civil War as some of the first residents to purchase lots in the military retirement community that eventually became St. Cloud. By the early 1900s, the city had become home to the largest concentration of Union veterans in the South. The GAR, founded in 1866 as a fraternal, charitable, and patriotic organization for Union veterans, helped establish Memorial Day as a national holiday while promoting patriotism through parades and the creation of war memorials. In St. Cloud, GAR members marched alongside the St. Cloud Fife and Drum Corps during patriotic celebrations and community events, helping create civic pride. The veterans invested their pension checks to raise $8,000 to construct the GAR Memorial Hall on Massachusetts Avenue. The building was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. Among the corps' founding members was J.T. Burbank, the subject of this mural by Amy Rosebush. This mural is a wonderful tribute to the veterans whose patriotism and pioneer spirit helped shape St. Cloud. Stop by f you're walking the Historic Mural Trail.