Client: City of Tampa

Location: Tampa, FL, United States

Completion date: 2015

Artwork budget: $100,000

Project Team

Public Art Agent

Ales "Bask" Hostomsky

Artist

Leon "Tes One" Bedore

Overview

Built in the 1970s, The William F. Poe Municipal Parking Garage is the second oldest municipal parking garage in downtown Tampa. Highly visible, the garage is immediately encountered when approaching the urban core from the west, and from the north. The 932 space garage is located in the heart of the Cultural Arts District and is the primary parking facility for patrons of the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the Tampa Museum of Art and the Glazer Children’s Museum.

Goals

“Stay Curious” by artists Bask and Tes One celebrates and promotes the creative culture of Tampa Bay. By applying a meaningful message and a design that accentuates the structure’s form and access points, the Poe Garage is re-introduced to the community as a landmark unto itself and a clear indication of its arrival into the Tampa Arts District.
The vibrant design of the murals interpret the call to “Stay Curious” reminding guests of all ages to continue learning and experiencing the arts. The large scale murals surrounding the garage are visible and welcome visitors into downtown Tampa – spanning 40’ tall and over 430’ wide, “Stay Curious” is prominently painted along an adjacent access road and is the centerpiece for the art project. Other murals feature a boy painting, a dancer, and a little girl.

Process

Tes One and Bask collaborated on the design, and they lead a team of artists they put together. The City of Tampa Art Programs Division worked with the Parking Division and Facilities divisions to prep the site, and for scheduling purposes.

Additional Information

"Stay Curious" was featured in the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network Year in Review, 2016.