“Stay Curious” at Poe Parking Garage New murals encourage guests of all ages to keep learning, experiencing arts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 9, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Local muralists Tes One and Bask have begun transforming the William F. Poe Parking Garage in downtown Tampa. The design is a nod to the cultural assets immediately adjacent to the garage including, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa Riverwalk, John F. Germany Library, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Florida Museum for Photographic Arts, Glazer Children’s Museum, and Tampa Museum of Art.
“When we talk about creating a quality of life in Tampa, we simultaneously focus on creating quality public spaces that will attract activity and reflect the city around them. This mural will transform the Poe Parking Garage into a true work of art,” said Mayor Bob Buckhorn. “It becomes an iconic welcome sign for the variety of amenities that intersect in one place – from Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and the Riverwalk to cultural institutions like the Tampa Museum of Art. We look forward to seeing the completed project and it boosting the aesthetic in downtown Tampa for years to come.”
Poe Parking Garage is immediately surrounded by several of Tampa’s cultural assets, and the vibrant design of the murals will interpret the call to “Stay Curious”, prominently painted under Gasparilla Plaza as well as in other areas of the garage, reminding guests of all ages to continuing learning and experiencing the arts. The large scale murals will be visible and will welcome visitors into downtown Tampa on approaches from I-275 and for those coming from the West Tampa area via Cass Street.
Total cost for the murals is $100,000, and will be paid for with City of Tampa Public Art funds. Onsite painting began at the beginning of October, and should take approximately 8 weeks to complete.
About the artists
From Crayons to Krylon, Leon “Tes One” Bedore has been creating art on walls for the majority of his life. Tes began as a street artist in 1992, then later explored a passion for graphic design. The blending of these disciplines has evolved into a signature style for the artist – showcasing his work in galleries local and abroad, while also working with some of the largest brands in the world, including Nike, L’Oreal, Absolut Vodka and Architectural Digest. Find out more about Tes One at tesone.com.
Bask, the moniker of Ales “Bask” Hostomsky, and his richly textural works have been featured the world over. His installations, murals and exhibitions stretch from Paris to San Francisco; from Hawaii at POW! WOW! to the big screen in Hollywood’s billion-dollar blockbuster, Iron Man 3. He expresses his “anti-iconic,” sometimes satirical worldview, through unrivaled graphic skill in trademark multi-layered thought-provoking application. Influenced by pop culture and the experience of oppression in his native Czech Republic, Bask now calls Saint Petersburg, home.
For additional information, please contact:
Ashley Bauman, Public Affairs Director
(813) 274-8262
ashley.bauman (at) tampagov (dot) net
