St. Petersburg Partners With Artists And Students For 'My Sunshine City' Campaign

From the City of St. Petersburg:

As part of the City of St. Petersburg's"My Sunshine City" campaign, the City has partnered with ten Pinellas County Center for the Arts-Gibbs High School students, local professional artists and educators to spend Labor Day weekend turning a portion of the Pinellas Trailinto a cultural tribute to St. Petersburg.

Under the tutelage of artist Chad Mize, six local professional artists,including two former PCCA-Gibbs alumni and Gibbs educators - the young artistswill spend September 3-5, 2016, painting a series of 52 12-by-3 foot concretebarricades, located at the Trail and 20th Street South. Utilizing inspirationfrom the City's campaign colors, imagery and logo, each student will showcase their unique interpretation of "My Sunshine City" through mural art. Oncecomplete, the mural series will become part of this year's SHINE MuralFestival, which takes place September 1-10, in St. Petersburg.

Last year's SHINE community mural project was spearheaded by Mize and artistJames Oleson and this year, the City wanted to continue its partnership withlocal schools and artists to create something that reflects its commitment tothe arts and education. This year Mize was looking for a new canvas and hefound it - all 600 feet - along the Pinellas Trail.

"We wanted something unique and different yet visible to pedestrians and trailusers. Concrete barricades don't require ladders or scaffolding liketraditional murals and are more easily accessible. We're hoping this starts asort of mural renaissance along the Trail."

Not only is Mize strengthening the city's investment in arts and educationwith the project, he's found it's only right to shop local when purchasingproject supplies.

The city has embraced our art by building an outstanding place where we cancreate," said Mize. "It's important to repay the favor."The mural series also serves as a cultural connector, linking St. Petersburg's EDGE District to The Deuces and will be one of two murals located there duringSHINE. Mize is hopeful increased Trail traffic from future mural tours providebusinesses with an incentive to offer their buildings as additional canvases.

Image via the City of St. Petersburg Facebook page