Artists Sought To Transform Blank Walls At Airport Into Vibrant Murals

CLEARWATER, FL — Creative Pinellas and the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport are teaming up to welcome visitors flying into the airport bright, colorful murals to get them into a vacation state of mind.

Two murals painted on three now-uninspired blank walls at Gate 12 of the airport will greet travelers and visually highlight the award-winning beaches, nature, culture and arts in Pinellas County, said Creative Pinellas CEO Barbara St. Clair in a news release.

“We are excited about this partnership with St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport and the opportunity to bring awareness to the Pinellas County Arts Coast through this new mural project for tourists and residents to enjoy,” said St. Clair. “This mural project allows us to create an inviting first impression for all those traveling to and from the Tampa Bay area.”

The PIE Gate 12 Mural Project’s goal is to have a Pinellas County artist create a welcoming art experience for visitors as they arrive from Gate 12, an outdoor airport gate at St Pete-Clearwater International Airport, 14700 Terminal Blvd., Clearwater.

This gate is a walk-through space on the outside of the building, and these murals will be the first thing visitors see as they arrive.

“We are excited to add murals to our collection of public art at PIE," said Michele Routh, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport public relations director. "Mural art will be an important piece of PIE in showcasing a diversity of Florida artists at the airport. The new murals will boldly express 'vacation starts now' to our passengers as we welcome them to our arts and beach destination!”

Work on the murals is scheduled to begin in October and be completed later in the fall, when they will be officially unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Creative Pinellas has a call-out open to artists to apply to participate. The call-out will close Aug. 1.

Mural artists will be chosen by a panel made up of a Creative Pinellas representative, PIE representatives, a Pinellas County-based mural artist, art curators and other members of the arts community in Pinellas County.

Creative Pinellas is Pinellas County’s local arts agency.

Artists interested in applying for this project can click here for the application, details, a budget and timeline.