How it works
Download the app and embark on a self-guided tour through downtown Clearwater that takes you to four (4) vibrant murals. You should plan around 45 minutes for the tour, but if you have less time available, you can visit individual works of art. There is an interactive map in the app that shows the location of each of the murals. Point your smartphone at the mural when you arrive, then tap the yellow hotspots to watch the mural come alive with animations.
The murals
Downtown Clearwater’s murals are part of a public art initiative that weaves art and culture, plus innovative technology, into the fabric of everyday life in our unique urban environment. The four colorful murals in Downtown Clearwater’s urban core enhance and enrich the city’s public spaces with exciting visual imagery inspired by Downtown Clearwater’s past, present and future. The murals on this tour are:
Comunidad – 28 North Garden St.
Comunidad is a celebration of cultural diversity, and shows empowered, united women who form a network and community. Uruguayan artists Florencia Duran and Camilo Nunez use sketches of real women to inform their murals and portraits.
100 Years Before J. Cole – 620 Drew St.
Back in 1885, the construction of the Orange Belt Railway changed Florida’s citrus groves forever. The same year, modern bicycles were put into production. This mural is located alongside the Pinellas Trail, which follows the original railway route and is today a popular bike trail. Artists Michelle Sawyer and Tony Krol celebrate this juxtaposition of history in their mural, which is also inspired by J. Cole’s song “1985,” about how things evolve and change over time.
After a While – 710 Franklin St.
After a While is a whimsical painting of a woman and her pet alligator out for a walk. Santa Rosa, California-based artist MJ Lindo-Lawyer is a nationally recognized muralist known for her depictions of multi-cultural women alongside animal companions, evoking fantastical worlds.
Ikebana – 710 Franklin St.
Ikebana depicts an ikebana flower arrangement. Unites States based artist, DAAS, is a contemporary artist, internationally recognized for his vibrant, engaging paintings and murals. Working globally, DAAS’ artwork utilizes a combination of abstract and representational imagery, driven by a distinct color palette and design aesthetic which incorporates bold shapes and organic forms saturated in vivid colors, to create larger-than-life artworks focused on bringing a sense of beauty and inspiration into the surrounding space.
Augmented reality
Augmented reality is a technology that superimposes digital imagery on top of a real-world scene. This blending of real and digital worlds can engage the senses with visual, auditory, and touch-based sensations. The collaborative project infuses surprise and delight into the pedestrian experience of walking through the city, by combining the technical capabilities of USF’s Access 3D Lab and Advanced Visualization Center with the community focus of the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency. This app is the first AR-enhanced walking tour is Tampa Bay, and aims to set the bar for tech-engaged public humanities programming that surprises and delights audiences by inviting them to experience art in a fresh new way.