Since their first public art project, the covered bridge in 1963, Coral Springs has become one of…read morethe leading public art cities in south Florida. The art is paid for during development and redevelopment in the city. Fees are collected from permits during building construction and renovations in the city. None of the art is paid with public tax dollars. Rock ET Man is a whimsical piece of public art located in Whispering Woods Park on Wiles Road. He was created in 2011 by artist Craig Berube-Gray out of medium field stone. The purpose of the piece is to show how everyday items can be transformed into art. The city of Coral Springs purchased this artwork in 2012. He puts a smile on my face anytime I pass him on the exercise trail. Next time you visit the park, don't take him for granite.

While walking through Mizner Park, I discovered this colorful new mural. The Ode to Boca mural is…read morelocated on the stage doors of the Mizner Park Amphitheater and was created by local artist Brian Butler in honor of Boca Raton's centennial. Butler is a South Florida based artist known for his energetic, story driven illustrations and public works. The mural reflects the stories, people, and experiences that have shaped Boca Raton over the past 100 years. Inspired by poems and personal reflections submitted through the City's Ode to Boca initiative, the artwork depicts the the signature architecture, the Intracoastal Waterway, beaches, local wildlife, and snapshots of life from both past and present. Images include a pineapple, Addison Mizner's famous companion monkey Johnnie Brown, a sunbather, sea turtle, and a ship gliding beneath the bridge, The project was unveiled during a community celebration featuring remarks from city officials, a meet-and-greet with the artist, Poems on Demand by O, Miami, and displays of verses submitted by members of the community. I really enjoyed discovering this mural and it was fun to really look at and see how many images I recognized. I especially loved the inclusion of Johnnie Brown and the FAU mascot, a burrowing owl. This is such a wonderful tribute to the people and places that make Boca Raton unique.

A vibrant mural against the main wall of the Count de Hoernle Amphitheater at the north end of…read moreMizner park. The mural was painted by local artist Brian Butler and titled it "Ode to Boca" which was inspired by asking local residents to provide 5-line poems about Boca Raton.

The Coral Springs Arts Complex is one of my favorite cultural destinations in Coral Springs.. In…read moreaddition to an art museum and performing arts center, the complex features a sculpture garden and beautiful public art installations, including this large scale mural on the wall facing Coral Springs Drive. TRAILS of Expression is a 75 by 80-foot mural created by internationally acclaimed artist Vito Di Bari and dedicated in 2024. He has created art in 25 countries worldwide from interactive 23 foot installations to underwater coral artworks in the Gulf of Mexico. Vito Di Bari has called this mural "a tribute to human emotion through layered color and form." The name TRAILS is an acronym for Teamwork, Respect, Accountability, Innovation, Leadership, and Superior Service. Each element of the mural symbolizing one of these values. An orchestra represents Teamwork, a ballerina embodies Respect, trapeze artists represent Accountability, a musician playing an electric guitar symbolizes Innovation, and the music director represents Leadership. The theater ties the entire composition together. The mural was selected by the Coral Springs Public Art Committee and approved by the Coral Springs City Commission. What makes it even more special although I have not tried it, is that it is interactive with augmented reality. The mural incorporates Sm-Art Technology, that brings to life with movement and music. Visitors can use a mobile device while standing near the mural to activate the AR experience and see the artwork in a whole new way.

Sometimes a simple stroll through a park can lead to an unexpected find. Underneath the Palmetto…read morePark Road Bridge in Boca Raton connecting Wildflower park and Silver Palm Park I found a set of murals called A Place to Be: Palmetto Park Bridge Murals. It is also referred to as A Sense of Place. These murals transforms an otherwise ordinary pedestrian underpass into a colorful art gallery celebrating Boca Raton's shoreline, birdlife, native plants, and surrounding neighborhoods. The murals are one of four public art projects created at Wildflower Park as part of Boca Raton's Centennial Legacy Art Installations, celebrating the city's 100th birthday. Developed through the Public Art Boca Program in partnership with local artists, sponsors, and community participants, the projects were designed to honor community, creativity, and a strong sense of place while reflecting Boca Raton's unique landscape and history. The project was sponsored by The Palm Beaches, the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District, Boca Raton Airport, Baptist Health Boca Regional Hospital, Lynn University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Power & Light, and Florida Blue. The artwork was presented through Public Art Boca in collaboration with Creos and Palm Beach County. These murals were painted by artist Nadia Serenyi. She is a sculptor with an MFA degree and has spent more than 35 years working in academic, cultural, and business settings, with experience spanning the arts, education, theater, community events, display design, and custom artwork. For more than 25 years, she has also created residential and commercial murals. Her artistic philosophy focuses on celebrating the relationship between form and function in nature and pattern and purpose in culture. Her murals bring together land, water, wildlife, vegetation, and movement, creating a visual connection between Boca Raton's natural surroundings and the people who live, work, and walk through the area. I especially love how this project takes a basic space beneath a bridge and turns it into something the community can enjoy. It is a colorful reminder of Boca Raton's landscape and its connection to the Intracoastal and a beautiful example of how public art can transform everyday spaces and create a stronger sense of place.

Lead with Love is a mural brightening up the newly renovated Huizenga Park. It is the fourth mural…read morein the Lead with Love mural series by renowned artist Cey Adams, created through a partnership between the Community Foundation of Broward and Business for the Arts Broward. You can find it on the wall that houses the restroom. Running from fall 2024 through 2027, the Lead with Love campaign will bring nine distinctive, love-themed murals to nine Broward County communities. The initiative uses public art to inspire unity, encourage cultural engagement, spark conversations, and bring a little more joy to the community. Cey Adams is an American visual artist, graphic designer, and author who served as the founding creative director of Def Jam Recordings. He has worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, and Mary J. Blige. Adams began his career as a graffiti artist in the late 1970s and early 1980s and studied painting at New York's School of Visual Arts. His work has been exhibited alongside renowned artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Today, Adams is internationally recognized for his influential contributions to hip-hop graphic design and contemporary art. Adams has previously created LOVE murals in cities including Detroit and Jackson, Michigan; New Bedford and Chelsea, Massachusetts; St. Paul, Minnesota; Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York; and North Omaha, Nebraska. Now, his work can be found right here in Broward County. The message behind these murals is such a great one, and it is always fun to spot a new one when it pops up. Other Lead with Love murals can be found along Las Olas Boulevard, in Kingsley Park in Plantation. Dania Beach, and on the Tamarac Community Center. The colorful, love-themed artwork also makes a great backdrop for photos. The next time you are in the park keep an eye out for the mural and spread the love.

Lead with Love is a mural at the Dania Beach Marina unveiled in March 2025. It is the third mural…read morein the Lead with Love mural series by renowned artist Cey Adams, created through a partnership between the Community Foundation of Broward and Business for the Arts Broward. This mural is unique in that also includes the city motto of Dania Beach " "Sea it. Live it. Love it." Running from fall 2024 through 2027, the Lead with Love campaign will bring nine distinctive, love-themed murals to nine Broward County communities. The initiative uses public art to inspire unity, encourage cultural engagement, spark conversations, and bring a little more joy to the community. Cey Adams is an American visual artist, graphic designer, and author who served as the founding creative director of Def Jam Recordings. He has worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, and Mary J. Blige. Adams began his career as a graffiti artist in the late 1970s and early 1980s and studied painting at New York's School of Visual Arts. His work has been exhibited alongside renowned artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Today, Adams is internationally recognized for his influential contributions to hip-hop graphic design and contemporary art. Adams has previously created LOVE murals in cities including Detroit and Jackson, Michigan; New Bedford and Chelsea, Massachusetts; St. Paul, Minnesota; Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York; and North Omaha, Nebraska. Now, his work can be found right here in Broward County. The message behind these murals is such a great one, and it is always fun to spot a new one when it pops up. Other Lead with Love murals can be found along Las Olas Boulevard, in Old Town Pompano Beach, and in Kingsley Park in Plantation. The colorful, love-themed artwork also makes a great backdrop for photos. If you're out at the next Untapped event keep an eye out for the mural and spread the love.

DIRECTIONS: BETWEEN AVON & ROCK ISLAND ON MCNABB IN NORTH LAUDERDALE…read more It's a shame that spot lights & plaque stand were smashed, some graffiti on artwork & other destruction of the water represented by beautiful blue color glass and the astro turf is getting worn. Wishing I had the opportunity to have witnessed it before the destruction! This piece of art is after the NL "FUN CITY" freshly painted & maintained Welcome sign. Hopefully the town will do some well deserved maintenance!! Hint Hint #NorthLauderdale

Environmental artist and conservationist Robert Wyland was born in 1956 In Detroit, Michigan. He is…read moremost well known for his large outdoor murals, a series of 100 Whaling Walls throughout the country and world to spotlight the fragile ocean ecosystem. The first wall was created in 1981 in Laguna Beach, California and the last wall was completed in Bejing China in 2008 just before the summer Olympics. This wall named Water for Life in North Lauderdale was the 99th wall to be completed in June of 2008. It buffers the single family home neighborhood, The Fountains from the road. The ocean mural is 10 feet high and runs 1,000 feet long along the north side of McNab Road just west of Rock Island Road. Some of the native Florida sea life depicted on the whale includes sea turtles, fish, sharks, rays, dolphins, and manatees along with mangroves and coral reef. It took 80 gallons of paint to complete the wall. Other noteworthy artists who collaborated on the mural with Wyland's were Romero Britto and Guy Harvey. Children helped to paint the fish at the end nearest the welcome to North Lauderdale sign. In front of the mural is a landscaped, spiraling walkway accented by blue recycled glass. I love the walls message that we need to protect the wonders of nature for future generations and leave them clean water and healthy oceans. Fifteen years later the wall is still as inspiring as ever.

Lead with Love is a new mural in the Old Town section of Pompano Beach. you can find it painted on…read morethe side of Kelly's Chemicals. It is the fifth mural in the Lead with Love mural series by renowned artist Cey Adams, created through a partnership between the Community Foundation of Broward and Business for the Arts Broward. Running from fall 2024 through 2027, the Lead with Love campaign will bring nine distinctive, love-themed murals to nine Broward County communities. The initiative uses public art to inspire unity, encourage cultural engagement, spark conversations, and bring a little more joy to the community. Cey Adams is an American visual artist, graphic designer, and author who served as the founding creative director of Def Jam Recordings. He has worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, and Mary J. Blige. Adams began his career as a graffiti artist in the late 1970s and early 1980s and studied painting at New York's School of Visual Arts. His work has been exhibited alongside renowned artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Today, Adams is internationally recognized for his influential contributions to hip-hop graphic design and contemporary art. Adams has previously created LOVE murals in cities including Detroit and Jackson, Michigan; New Bedford and Chelsea, Massachusetts; St. Paul, Minnesota; Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York; and North Omaha, Nebraska. Now, his work can be found right here in Broward County. The message behind these murals is such a great one, and it is always fun to spot a new one when it pops up. Other Lead with Love murals can be found along Las Olas Boulevard and in Kingsley Park in Plantation. The colorful, love-themed artwork also makes a great backdrop for photos. If you're out at the next Untapped event keep an eye out for the mural and spread the love.