Public Art in Tampa
As one of the largest population centers in the state, it should come as no surprise that there is a healthy and active arts scene in Tampa. What may be a bit surprising is just how much art is displayed publicly for all to enjoy.
Tampa has what most anyone would consider a very pleasant climate. Lows rarely dip below 40 in the winter and summer highs average around 90. Though rainfall is frequent, it tends to follow a pretty predictable pattern, making planning one's day fairly straightforward. This easy-to-enjoy climate, coupled with trends in city planning that have emphasized walkable and people-friendly spaces in recent years have led to remarkable developments in public art and the spaces devoted to displaying it.
City leaders and planners in Tampa have embraced these trends. Though planning began in the 1970s, serious construction began on the city's riverwalk along the Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa in the early part of this century. With funding coming from both public sources as well as private contributions, major construction began in 2004 in a "pay-as-you-go" fashion with new sections being completed as funding allows
For art lovers seeking a more formal setting, both the Tampa Museum of Art and Florida Museum of Photographic Arts can both be found near the center of the riverwalk with their striking exteriors and comprehensive collections of both local and internationally renowned works. However, options abound for those that would prefer to appreciate art while on the move.
Along the riverwalk itself there are a wealth of installations both large and small to discover. A few examples of the artwork along the path include a series of 18 bronze sculptures created by local artist Steven Dickey featuring historic and current Tampa-area civic leaders, while the Cenotaph and Ceremonial Space by Apache artist Bob Haozous honors the Seminole people who once called Tampa home.
Those who visit the riverwalk after dark can experience the five colorfully lit bridges along the Hillsborough River along with a number of other downtown buildings. These ongoing lighting installations were born out of Lights on Tampa, a biennial arts festival featuring innovative lighting installations by juried artists throughout the city that, coupled with live performances, affirms Tampa's commitment to the arts.
At the northern end of the riverwalk lies Ulele, a restaurant loved by locals, critics, and visitors alike for it's Florida-inspired New American cuisine as well as its stunning art installations from Tampa metal sculptor Dominique Martinez, who also owns Rustic Steel Creations. Martinez's work greets visitors immediately upon their arrival in the form the brightly colored gears on the front entrance and inside in the wine room.
Martinez's sense of civic pride is reflected in his work. "In my opinion, Tampa is a canvas with incredible potential within the arts." he says "Forging itself into an internationally recognized city with such a rich history and yet so much is still to be discovered within its walls." He has put this sentiment into practice by purchasing a vacant firehouse in the Tampa Heights neighborhood and converting it into, as he puts it, "the baddest home in Tampa," featuring a public gallery and event space.
Throughout Tampa, Martinez's work can be found at so many restaurants one could call him one the city's most prolific restaurant designers. His work also appears on municipal buildings such as the tax collector's office, public parks, and in private residences in the form of custom designed gates, railings, and other installations.
A strong community network is important for artists. Martinez cites another local artist, Paul Eppling, as an important influence on his work. Across the bay in St. Petersburg, the recently deceased artist is remembered fondly for not only his generosity, but his creative ability to transform a mundane structure like a municipal fleet management building into a local landmark with his "Security Lizard" sculpture. The sculpture itself is a lizard made of recycled car parts perched atop the building, grasping a firefly that ingeniously houses a streetlight in its tongue.
The pride that Tampa's art community has in its work and city is proven by just how much of it is displayed publicly. Martinez sums this up best saying,:
"...adding value to our community puts a smile on people's faces, and that puts a smile on my face."
