We were in tampa exploring the parks and public art and came across this mural. I am a big fan of…read morepublic art and landmarks so I had to add it to Yelp for others to see. When I got back home I looked up what the story was about this mural. According to the tampa website for public art. In their initial concept, artists Edgar Sanchez Cumbas and Guillermo Portieles wanted to represent the hard working individuals in West Tampa "who embraced a thriving a social and cultural community through its broad mix of nationalities and religions." From this concept and through much input from community leaders and historians, the mural "Kaleidoscope: a Heritage of Color" was created. " Cool piece of public art to check out

Such a random little roadside gem--a Sphinx statue sitting at the corner of N. Florida Ave & E…read more 124th Ave! I used to love it as a kid, and honestly it still makes me smile every time I drive by. It doesn't really "fit" with its surroundings, which somehow makes it even better. Not a destination on its own, but totally quirky, totally random, and definitely worth pulling over for a quick photo or a little nostalgia trip. There is some wear and tear. It has been around for decades.

Works of public art are fun to find!…read more This is Henry the gopher tortoise! Henry is in honor of the legendary Caladesi Island settler Henry Scharrer. Sylvia the sea turtle, in honor of oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, will be painted on the west side of the tower. The Dunedin water tower is located at the intersection of US Alt-19 and Curlew Rd. The murals are by Tom Stovall who was awarded a $78,142 contract to paint Henry and Sylvia on the water tower in September 2020. Life is good with art!

I found this cool piece of public art right before you enter the pier in St. Petersburg, Florida…read more This large free flowing net sculpture is very eye catching. The piece was made by internationally known, Tampa Bay native Janet Echelman. The title of the piece, Bending Arc is taken from Dr. Martin Luther King's words "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." Echelman decided to honor the civil rights movement because the site where the sculpture hangs was a location where local citizens protested segregation in the 1950's. The protests led to the 1957 US Supreme Court ruling that allowed people of all races to use the city beach and pool. According to the artist the new pier was designed to be welcoming to everyone. She has said "When I look at the piece moving in the wind you see these arcs move across as the wind blows through. It's a moment to contemplate the interconnectedness of the entire human race. And it's a reminder for us to be grateful for and celebrate the courage of the people who came before us. Who brought us to where we are and the job that we have to do bring ourselves forward again." The art installation was created to coincide with the open of the new 26 acre St. Petersburg Pier. Echelman has created several other net sculptures that are located all around the world. She took inspiration for this piece from historical postcards that had blue and white striped beach parasols and combined the colors with the geometric forms made by colonies of barnacles growing on the underside of the pier. When the wind blows it changes the shape of the soft sculpture. Bending arc is made of 1,662,528 light weight fiber knots and 180 miles of twine. It is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), an engineered fiber which has been turned into a thread like textile. The strands are braided together and wrapped around sewing bobbins to form the mesh netting that is knotted by hand. The sculpture is 424 feet long and it is 72 feet at its tallest point. It covers 47,500 square feet and weighs a total of 5,330 pounds. The sculpture was paid for by private donors and its infrastructure was part of the new Pier District project. Echelman's contract for the piece with St. Petersburg was for $1.47 million dollars. During the day Bending Arc is blue and white. At night it is illuminated with LED lights so that it appears purple and magenta. You can see it across the water from the parks lining the bay. There are some chairs set up under the sculpture so you can sit and watch the wind blow the netting overhead. I love public art and this is just one of many interesting elements that have been added to the new pier.

Installed in 2022, this 21-foot flamingo stands in the center of the main terminal at Tampa…read moreInternational Airport. The sculpture is made of resin and fiberglass and is by artist Matthew Mazzotta. It was commissioned for $520,000 and is a welcome first impression of the Tampa Bay area. Complete with metal panels on the ceiling to look like water surface and dappled lighting on the floor, it looks like the bird is dipping its head below water to grab a fish. You'll be lucky to get a selfie with Home because it's quite popular! Definitely check it out as you pass through TPA. [Review 18968 overall - 1580 in Florida - 2492 of 2022.]

This war memorial stands in the front plaza of the Hillsborough County Courthouse at Pierce Street…read moreand Madison Street, a solid rectangular structure about ten to twelve feet tall with plaques honoring service members from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and those engaged in future conflicts. Each face carries a pair of bronze panels, and the inscriptions move from specific battles like Belleau Wood, Meuse‑Argonne, Normandy, Guadalcanal, and the Bulge to broader reflections on freedom, justice, and equality. The memorial sits opposite the Hydria installation, whose tall cistern‑columns frame the courthouse entrance and give the plaza a distinctive civic feel. I visited in the late afternoon into early evening, after the courthouse had closed for the day, which made it easy to walk the plaza without the usual weekday flow of people heading in and out of the building. The quiet made the inscriptions easier to take in, and the setting felt more contemplative than it probably does during business hours. Metered street parking is available along the surrounding blocks, making it simple to stop for a short visit. [Review 133 of 2026 - 2244 in Florida - 25323 overall]

The Freedom sculpture in downtown Tampa stands in Joe Chillura Courthouse Square as a twelve foot…read morefigure rising with arms lifted toward the sky, a gesture that reads as both release and resolve, and the bronze and steel surfaces catch the Florida light in a way that makes the whole form feel like it is stretching itself into the day . The rings circling the figure give it a sense of motion, almost like the air is parting around someone stepping into a wider life. The sculpture was created by artist Jerry Meatyard, Freedom was originally placed in 1987, a moment when Tampa was reshaping its downtown identity, and the piece has stayed rooted in that square ever since, becoming one of those quiet landmarks you notice more each time you pass by. The poem by James E Tokley Sr at its base adds another layer, giving the figure a voice that matches its upward reach and turning the whole installation into a small conversation between sculpture, city, and passerby. Gaze at me and wonder what I see My arms, outstretched, that measure countless stars My stance unmatched by even the tallest tree The compass of my feet, a common cause! O gaze at me and wonder what you see My glistening chest that hides a heart of steel That judges Human Will and finds it free To reach aloft and spin God's cosmic wheel! To make of life whatever life may be, Like an early morning sun, I rise up free! The sculpture is noticeable but not overwhelming. The combination of bronze, steel, and open air gives it a grounded but aspirational presence, and the longer you look the more it feels like a person caught in the instant of choosing to rise which is a fitting message for a civic square where people come and go with their own hopes and burdens. It is a piece that rewards a slow walk around it, letting the rings shift, the shadows lengthen, and the idea of freedom feel a little more tangible. [Review 127 of 2026 - 2238 in Florida - 25317 overall]

Vibrant mural located in Downtown Tampa. I found this mural when I was driving around looking for…read moreparking for the temporary art installation Tampa Fresh Foods. It's located just down the street from Parks and Rec and not far from Sparkman's Wharf and the new Publix Greenwise. It also has a nice green turf and doggie water founds. Bright colors and dog friendly and it makes me super happy!!!