TARPON SPRINGS — Building on two successful public art initiatives — Illuminated Art Boxes at the Sponge Docks and painted downtown storm drain murals — the city’s Public Art Committee is inviting artists to design three new murals, with submissions due Monday, Oct. 5.
Megan McIntyre, the city’s interim director of cultural and civic services, said the competitions include a second phase of the popular Storm Drain Mural project, a contest to paint a mural on the old Bleacher Building and another to decorate a wall of the Economic Development Building.
The Bleacher Building project came from a city staff member’s suggestion, McIntyre said, while the Economic Development Building mural was proposed by Karen Lemmons, the city’s economic development manager, whose office is at the site.
The storm drain competition offers a $200 honorarium at each location. For the Bleacher Building and Economic Development Building murals, artists are asked to include an estimated budget with their submissions.
The committee is sharing the calls to artists with art teachers at Tarpon Springs High School and Middle School and art faculty at St. Petersburg College. It is also spreading word through social media, local artist groups and the Florida Association of Public Art Professionals, McIntyre said.
For Phase 2 of the Storm Drain Mural competition, the committee is seeking artists to design and paint murals at several city locations: 160 Tarpon Ave.; the southeast corner of West Tarpon Avenue and North Spring Boulevard, in front of the clock; and the west side of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and South Spring Boulevard/Whitcomb Boulevard. Five storm drains were painted in an earlier competition.
The committee is seeking designs that raise awareness about stormwater pollution and incorporate the slogan “Only Rain Down the Drain.”
The murals may not promote businesses of any kind, McIntyre said, and any animals and plants depicted must be native species found in Tampa Bay or the Anclote River/Gulf watersheds.
“Design samples should be bold, original, strong artistic designs that address the theme of Only Rain Down the Drain — stormwater pollution, environmental and local ecosystem protection,” she said.
Artists may submit more than one design. Previously submitted designs that were not used will be considered for these locations unless the artist emails the committee’s vice chair to request otherwise. Once the committee selects the artwork, artists may be asked to adjust their design to fit the specific storm drain, McIntyre said.
An honorarium of $200 will be paid for the selected artwork at each location. Artists receiving honorariums must submit a completed W-9 and vendor application before payment. Painting kits will be provided for each location, including primary-color paints, brushes, rollers and protective gear.
The storm drain project is open to artists of all skill levels and ages, including clubs, groups and students. There is no entry fee, and artists need not be Tarpon Springs residents.
Proposals are due to the Public Art Committee no later than Monday, Oct. 5. Artists will be notified by email by Oct. 21, and storm drains must be completed by Feb. 1, 2027, weather permitting. Each design must be submitted as an individual image and emailed to Public Art Committee Vice Chair Martha Hickey at MarthaDHickey@gmail.com.
Another call to artists seeks a mural for the old Bleacher Building, the Public Works Department facility at 325 Pine St. The building originally served as an athletic facility, with bleachers and dressing rooms, for the former Tarpon Springs High School. It now houses Public Works storage. The east and south walls will be prepared for the murals, with vegetation removed and windows blocked before work begins.
Designs may reflect the building’s athletic history or its current use by Public Works, or other themes representing the Tarpon Springs community and lifestyle.
Proposals are due to the Public Art Committee no later than Monday, Oct. 5, and artists will be notified by Oct. 21. The mural must be completed by Feb. 1, 2027. Artists may submit up to three designs. Proposals should include a quote for design and materials, and the city requires the artist to carry liability insurance. Email proposals to mmcintyre@ctsfl.us.
The third competition invites a mural for the Economic Development Building at 59 W. Tarpon Ave. The building sits at the west end of Tarpon Avenue and overlooks Spring Bayou and Craig Park. The mural should cover a wall on the east side of the building, facing the parking lot.
The design criteria call for artists to consider the scenery of Spring Bayou and Craig Park, the events held there and the area’s transformation over time. The mural may cover all or part of the wall. Artists may submit up to three designs and should indicate the mural’s size and area in their proposals.
As with the other competitions, all proposals are due to the Public Art Committee no later than Monday, Oct. 5. Proposals should include a quote for design and materials, and the city requires liability insurance. Email proposals to mmcintyre@ctsfl.us.