Artists To Transform Traffic Signal Control Boxes Into Works Of Art

LARGO, FL — Creative Pinellas has announced the artists for the 2023 ARTWorks Signal Box Project, who will transform plain traffic signal boxes into works of art.

They are Kim Michelle Coakley, Patricia Kluwe Derderian “PatiKDA," Amy Ilić-Volpe, Richard Logan, Clifton Moorhead, Heather Rippert, Diane V Radel, Patricia Rosa Gobbo, Heidi Stavinga and Pamela Trow.

Creative Pinellas and Pinellas County partnered on the project to deter graffiti vandalism on transportation infrastructure, beautify the rights of way and support Pinellas County as an arts destination.

Applications were open to all Pinellas County-based professional visual artists, graphic designers, illustrators and photographers.

“We really appreciate our partnership with Pinellas County Public Works, Department of Transportation,” said Creative Pinellas CEO Barbara St. Clair. “We’ve worked with them for the last four years to create murals on county rights of way, including four murals on the Pinellas Trail, and now we have the opportunity to expand our program to signal boxes. It’s a great way to bring more public art to our community and to support artists living and working in Pinellas County.

She added that public art on signal boxes isn't a new idea. The Clearwater Arts Alliance and the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance have successfully transformed the plain, gray signal boxes in their communities with public art.

Related: Residents Invited To Transform Signal Boxes Into Works Of Art

Pinellas County and Creative Pinellas selected nine locations in Pinellas County and will survey residents and host community meetings to get public input on the project.

The majority of the signal boxes are located near the Pinellas Trail including Tampa Road and McMullen Booth Road in Palm Harbor, Walsingham Road near the Pinellas Trail in Palm Harbor, and 8th Avenue near the Pinellas Trail in Largo.

The selected artists will create the designs that will be transformed into vinyl wraps to be professionally installed. The art will cover all sides of the signal box.

There is no required theme for the work, but the work must be engaging and a good fit for the community. It cannot contain any representation of traffic lights, signs or signals, and must be appropriate for display in a public space without distracting drivers.

“The Graffiti Abatement Art Program has been a growing success in the county with the completion of eight murals in four years,” said Tom Washburn, transportation division director for Pinellas County Public Works. “Our continued partnership with Creative Pinellas will extend the program to traffic signal cabinets and allow for even more art from our local artists to be seen throughout the community while also deterring vandalism on our transportation infrastructure.”

In January, interested artists were asked to submit their portfolios of artwork and share one or two sentences about ideas they have for the signal box, including abstract and representational designs.

A selection panel that included Pinellas County government representatives, a Creative Pinellas representative, an art curator and a member of the community chose the artists who will receive a $800 grant for their designs.

The artwork will be installed in May and June.