The City of Tampa has organized a street mural to be painted in a downtown street as a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement.
The mural, to be painted at the intersection of Cass Street and Jefferson Street, is meant to invite unity, according to a city of Tampa press release. A layout of the design, posted on Facebook by Tampa art gallery Mergeculture, shows colorful images and phrases representative of the Black community.
“Note this design isn’t finalized but it will be close to what you see, with also more surprises announced tomorrow,” the post reads.
The painting is a part of Art on the Block, an initiative by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor in an effort to make art accessible to all and improve street safety. Art on the Block consists of five murals total, all of which are to be painted on downtown streets Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting.
The mural sites include:
- Downtown Black Lives Matter, East Cass Street & North Jefferson Street – Lead Artist: Illsol x The New Roots Collective
- Tampa Heights, North Franklin Street & West Henderson Avenue – Artist: Cam Parker
- West Tampa, Habana Avenue & West Tampa Bay Boulevard – Artist: Cecilia Lueza
- Westshore, West Laurel Street & North Grady Avenue – Artist: Anthony Freese
- East Tampa, East 21st Avenue & North 15th Street – Artist: James Vann
“Intersection murals are effective tools for improving street safety, enhancing the livability of our streets, revitalizing public spaces, and bringing communities together,” reads a press release from the city of Tampa.
The Black Lives Matter mural site will be hosting an opening ceremony complete with a moment of silence, a song and prayer at 8 a.m. Saturday as well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m.
The mural comes following last week’s St. Pete Black Lives Matter street mural and the many others in cities throughout the country that have recently debuted.
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