The mission of the Tarpon Springs Public Art Program is to enrich community through art in our surroundings.

Public Art Showcase

                                                                     Onward Together

   Artist: Stephen Oliver
Installed: 2024

 

Onward Together acknowledges and celebrates the African American and Afro-Bahamian spongers who worked initially on the north side of the Anclote River and then in Tarpon Springs from the 1880s until the mid-20th century. The early spongers used hooks—long poles fitted with steel hooks with which they snared sponges in the Gulf of Mexico. Two men usually worked in a small skiff: one poled the boat while the other peered into a glass-bottom bucket to locate sponges on the seabed and then hooked the sponges. In 1905 Greeks from the Dodecanese and Saronic Gulf islands introduced the use of the hard-hat diving suit, which allowed them to harvest more sponges from deeper waters. As the Greeks began to dominate the industry, most of the Afro-Bahamian spongers returned to Key West, but some remained. Blacks continued to make important contributions to the sponge industry: some independently operated their own hook boats, while others were employed on Greek boats as deckhands, cooks, and a few as divers. They also worked processing sponges in the packing houses or at the Sponge Exchange, sometimes learning to speak and read Greek.

Tarpon Springs’ Black community is celebrated in a second sculpture titled Forward and Upward Together, located at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and South Grosse Avenue in the Union Academy neighborhood.


Coach Rudy Mural

Artist: Nolan Anderson
Installed: 2024

Calvin “COACH RUDY” Royal (April 14, 1941 – September 27, 2022)

Early in his childhood Calvin Royal cultivated a passion for sports, especially baseball. During his early years playing sandlot baseball Calvin was given the nickname RUDY. He recognized the need for recreational activities amongst the African American community. He began coaching intramural sports organizing a men’s/boys baseball team and a men’s basketball team known as THE WAGONWHEELS. He also organized a women’s fastpitch softball team known as THE SPONGERETTES, that became his passion and lasted over three decades. THE SPONGERETTES won many tournaments and represented the state of Florida in the National Championships in Ohio in 1974 and Pennsylvania in 1976. The community became women’s fastpitch enthusiasts. These teams consisted of generations of local families that played at the field that affectionately became known as THE RUDY FIELD. COACH RUDY became a household name. COACH RUDY was a 1959 graduate of Pinellas Highschool in Clearwater, Florida. In 2021 COACH RUDY was recognized by the City of Tarpon Springs for his contributions to the community. COACH RUDY quietly passed away on September 27, 2022, and is interred at Rose Cemetery in Tarpon Springs, Fl. He leaves behind a profound impact on the African American youth in Tarpon Springs and an extraordinary legacy of mentorship and leadership.

 


 

Riverside Park Concession Building

Artist: Jonathan Ramirez
Installed: 2024

To beautify city-owned Riverside Field, the City of Tarpon Springs through the Public Art Committee (PAC) commissioned a mural for the park’s concession/storage building that seamlessly blends with the surrounding neighborhood and the family-oriented activities of the park.

About the Artist: Nicaraguan American artist Jonathan Ramirez specializes in captivating artworks that explore portrait realism. “Through my artwork, I strive to evoke emotions, spark dialogue, and create meaningful connections. I actively contribute to the local creative art community through community engagement, collaborating with fellow artists, and participating in community art projects,” states Ramirez.

 


Forward and Upward Together

Artist: Stephen Oliver
Installed: 2023

 

Forward and Upward Together is a celebration of the historical legacy of the Black community in Tarpon Springs. African Americans first arrived in Tarpon Springs after the Civil War, and many more arrived from other parts of Florida, the South, Key West, and the Bahamas during the late 19th century.

They first worked in the lumber mill, sponge harvesting and processing, citrus groves, livery stables, and hotels. As time went by, they also found work in fish houses, ship building, construction, railroad, utilities, restaurants, and government jobs Despite early discrimination and segregation, community members persevered and moved forward to become teachers, ministers, first responders, state officials, civic leaders, and mayor. Musicians, including artist/composer William “Billy the Kid” Emerson, performed for local, regional, national, and international audiences. Over time, the Black community became concentrated in what is known today as the Union Academy neighborhood. Founded in 1919, Union Academy served the Black community by providing outstanding education until desegregation sent students to other schools in 1969. It has maintained its importance into the present as a community center that provides programs, services, and events for both youth and adults.


Sylvestor the Cat

Artist: Kyle Pearce

Located at 735 Dodecanese Boulevard in the area where tour boats dock.

Sylvestor lived at the docks many years ago and achieved local notoriety. Local deckhands cleaned fish for fisherman at the dockside cleaning table. As the deckhands filleted the fish, Sylvestor would lunge at the pelicans that swooped in, trying to get to the fish carcasses thrown into the river before they submerged. It was Sylvestor’s pastime. He lived to be about 23 years old and had few teeth left at his death. He was black with a white blaze on his face and chest. The fish in his mouth is the probably sardine bait (menhadden) leftover when the fishing boats were cleaned at the end of the day. Local metal sculptor Kyle Pearce created “Sylvestor the Cat” from repurposed automobile parts.


Pete the Pelican Statue

Artist: Mike Elwell
Installed: 2022

 

The City of Tarpon Springs through the Public Art Committee (PAC) installed a jolly bronze pelican statue by local artist Mike Elwell, complete with a Tarpon Springs baseball cap, flip flops, pink flamingo Hawaiian shirt and comfortably seated on a bench with welcoming wings wide open. The whimsical statue looks as if it is begging someone to sit beside him. And the PAC hopes people will do just that. It is destined to become a favorite spot for making photo memories of a visit to the Tarpon Springs historic Sponge Docks.

 

Elwell, whose bronze statues have populated posh Beach Drive in downtown St. Petersburg for years, submitted a proposal to the PAC in October 2021 with a variety of bronze originals available. The Public Art Committee was immediately drawn to the Pelican sculpture Elwell titled Catching Some Rays since the Sponge Docks is a vibrant working seaport and attracts many live pelicans when the boats bring in their catch. The bronze pelican is located immediately east of the Tarpon Sponge Company, 735 Dodecanese Boulevard, an area where tour boats dock.

“The Public Art Committee is thrilled to add a new addition to the assemblage of beautiful bronze statues that enhance the City of Tarpon Springs by a number of accomplished artists,” said Public Art Committee Chair Joan Jennings. “Mike Elwell’s Catching Some Rays bronze pelican will add to the fun residents and visitors experience at the historic Sponge Docks. We hope the humorous sculpture will bring a smile to everyone’s face, be inspired by Elwell’s attention to detail and take home a photograph wrapped in its wing to capture the moment.”

“I want my art to say, don’t take life too seriously. Try to find the humor in things.”

– Mike Elwell

 


Baseball & Softball murals at Sisler Field

Artist: Monica Swartley
Installed: 2021 (Baseball) & 2022 (Softball)

The City of Tarpon Springs through the Public Art Committee (PAC) awarded their April 2021 Call to Artists to Tampa Bay artist Monica Swartley for an original baseball themed mural. It currently graces the west side of the field’s building and features a vivid pile of scuffed up baseballs – appropriate for one of America’s most beloved sports.

Due to the overwhelming positive public response to the original mural, the City of Tarpon Springs through the Public Art Committee commissioned a second mural from Swartley which was completed in 2022 featuring a softball theme. Located on the east side of the same building, the bright green color of a softball, the white base plates and red ball laces combine to provide a colorful tribute to this popular sport and the teams that play there.


This Blessed Plot, This Earth

Artist: Elizabeth Indianos
Installed: 2021

 

The original painting by Elizabeth Indianos, was titled The Spirit of this Place, and was created on site 1975-1979 as an outdoor mural at the corner of Tarpon Avenue and Alternate 19. Decades later, in 2021 an updated, dynamic concept was completed by the artist within the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center, 101 Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 (formerly, Old City Hall) and retitled This Blessed place, this Earth (William Shakespeare – King Richard II) commissioned by the City of Tarpon Springs through the Public Art Committee. Indianos was also commissioned by the TSPAC to create a 30

-minute video to complement the mural. It is shown in the Cultural Center by appointment or prior to shows and events. In 1975, Elizabeth received a National Endowment for the Arts grant as the official Artist in Residence in the City of Tarpon Springs. Chosen to foster, enhance and define the City’s unique culture, Elizabeth developed an ongoing program of classes, gallery openings, cultural events and festivals and implemented an extensive mural painting program.

In the early 1980’s she became the first Cultural Director for the City of Tarpon Springs. Elizabeth has award-winning projects in writing/art and public art projects, noted for “enhancing the quality of life, exhibiting long- term vision & innovation.” Projects include: The Thirteenth Street Pedestrian Bridge, Gainesville, Florida; Northwest Florida State College Sundial, Niceville, Florida; Tampa’s Southern Transportation Plaza; Charlotte, North Carolina’s Eastland Transit Center; Tampa International Airport; The Gainesville Solar Walk; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Libraries, and USF’s Sarasota campus, outdoor mosaic, Classical Divide. Additionally, she was one of the 5,000 design teams in the world to contribute a proposal for the World Trade Center Memorial. www.ElizabethIndianos.com


Storybook Time

Artist: Glenna Goodacre
Installed: 2020

 

The City of Tarpon Springs and the Public Art Committee are thrilled to have “Storybook Time,” by renowned artist Glenna Goodacre installed at the Cultural Center. Captured in their expressions, as is Goodacre’s signature style, is the timeless joy and wonder to be shared through reading together. The installation honors the site of the first library in Tarpon Springs established 1916 and as a gateway to the City’s current library. The bronze mother and daughter sculptures were created in 1998. Edition #18. Tarpon Springs’ second Goodacre installation is located at the west end of the Sponge Docks in the roundabout. The four Greek nymphs are called “The Naiads.”

CLICK HERE to download the press release.


The Naiads

Artist: Glenna Goodacre
Installed: 2019

 

Graceful and spirited, the Naiads in Greek and Roman Mythology inhabit fresh water providing life to springs, rivers, lakes, and fountains. Goodacre’s Naiads reflect her remarkable ability to capture expression. Created in 1989, this is the artist’s proof set. Edition 15.

The fountain and base for the Naiads are constructed from stone imported from the Greek Island of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese archipelago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Art Bike Racks, located through the City

The Tarpon Springs Public Art Committee’s art bike rack project is being completed in two phases:

Phase I consists of eleven bike racks designed by eight artists and manufactured by a local metal works. Find these at the Sponge Docks, Craig Park, City Hall, and the Dog Park.

Phase II consists of six art bike racks designed and manufactured by two local metal works artists. These will be located downtown and at Sunset Beach.

 

 


Ama Tarpon Springs, located at the waterway entrance to Spring Bayou in Craig Park

Artist: Amaryllis Bataille

 

Ama, Japanese for Woman of the Sea, walks among us on our shores, carrying her tail and scales with her for her inevitable return to the sea.

Through the combined resources of French Artist Amaryllis Batallie and European company Koh i Noor, Ama’s graceful beauty encourages the safeguarding of the ocean by all who behold her. Ama Tarpon Springs is the 17th of only 100 similar statues around the world and the first on America’s East Coast.