The City as a Canvas Street art tallahassee is transforming blank walls into works of public art
When an international street artist comes to Tallahassee to paint a few murals on our walls, it's a big deal.
Heck, it's even a big deal if a local artist paints a mural in town. But I get it. My own eyes instantly light up at the mention or sight of new street art. I seek intentionally seek it out. I've been documenting local street art and graffiti through my blog, I Heart Tallahassee, for the past several years, as well as capturing it on my travels. Tallahassee has largely been left out of the street art and mural craze that has swept cities across the world.
But it's our time now, thanks in part to Street Art Tallahassee.
Through founder Chiara Saldivar McCluskey and her husband, Daniel O'Connor McCluskey, Street Art Tallahassee has spearheaded Tallahassee's move toward a more colorful, interesting and engaging urban landscape. Within a little over a year, she's brought at least 10 murals to public and private spaces in town. Many of these can be found along the emerging SoMo (South Monroe) district.
Chiara's drive and persistence to bring world-renown street artists to Tallahassee has resulted in three new works outside Cascades Park. Two complementary pieces are located under the CSX Railroad overpass, and a third abstract pattern is down the street in front of Subway.
Completed this weekend, the murals were painted by Canadian street artist, Jerry Rugg, aka BirdO.
With the construction of the pedestrian bridge nearing completion and the increase in foot traffic it will bring, these new murals add life and pops of color to a boring and mostly ignored street passage. Prepare to see many selfies in front of these walls.
Keep an eye open for additional murals, as more are planned to adorn walls around Tallahassee in the coming months.
In the meantime...go see these amazing works of art for yourself.
Happy mural hunting!
