By London Evans
Colorful murals now line the streets of St. Petersburg, transforming the city into an open-air gallery that began taking shape a decade ago when officials eased restrictions on street art.
It all began around 10 years ago when local authorities relaxed their restrictions on street art and welcomed local artists’ ideas to turn the small town into a real arts destination, according to Visit St. Pete Clearwater.
This city has a wide range of art from early public sculptures and artistic initiatives to the celebration of its murals today. Some murals explore the clash between modern urban life and tradition, while others highlight the evolving role of public art.
“I really like a newer one that I always pass by on Third Street North right before it merges onto Fourth Street,” Avery Siwinski said. “It’s huge and it’s of a woman. It’s beautiful.”
Siwinski said she has lived in the Historic Old Northeast area her whole life, and she’s witnessed the evolution of the arts in her hometown.
“I would say one of my favorite areas in general for murals is this parking lot between First Avenue North and Central Avenue on the 600 block,” Siwinski said. “There are easily over five in that one area and they change sometimes. I used to work nearby there and walk by every day, and I just witnessed different things occurring there daily like tourists taking pictures or artists creating new murals.”
The PixelStix app offers an interactive way to explore murals throughout downtown St. Petersburg. This technology is now being adopted by mural organizations across the country, according to SHINE Mural Festival, which takes place annually every October.
Emily Ding, another St. Petersburg resident, said she has been painting murals for over eight years. She is the artist behind “The Yearling” in downtown St. Petersburg.
“’The Yearling’ is about how growth can be painful but simultaneously beautiful, and how we can remain soft despite hardship,” Ding said. “The deer is surrounded by sharp thorns but is blooming with soft and delicate white wild roses. The title came from a local who told me about a coming-of-age novel based in St. Petersburg about a boy and a fawn he rescued, and it seemed fitting to use the same title for my piece.”
The Visit St. Pete Clearwater tourism company have weekly mural tours. The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance is one of many organizations that support public art and the arts community in the city.
“I recommend SHINE Mural Festival,” said Dan Katz, business manager for Florida CraftArt. “They invite both local and international artists.”
Katz said they also offer walking and biking mural tours, along with private tours for schools and individuals seeking a more personalized experience.
“We typically get between 10 to 25 people on our Saturday tours, and our private tours range from two to 30 people, depending on the organization or individual booking,” Katz said. “During the winter months, our tours are very popular and run every week.”
The tours have become more than just a weekend activity—they’re a way for locals and visitors alike to connect with the city’s creative identity and celebrate community pride.
“A lot of the more recognizable murals impact the community by creating recognition and a sense of community such as the ‘love your neighborhood’ one by Tombolo Bookstore which I think has been created into stickers,” Siwinski said.
According to the artists, the murals help give tourists a sense of the city’s personality, creating a connection to an unfamiliar place.
“I also enjoy the smaller projects that can be found throughout the alleyways of our arts districts that allow for full creative license and reflect the city’s history and culture,” Katz said.
These large-scale murals highlight the impact of public art, showcasing stories important to locals and visitors of all walks of life.
“I value storytelling and believe in the importance of public art as an inclusive and barrier-free way for communities to enjoy and experience art,” Ding said. “What we as artists and muralists choose to paint is an important decision that forever adds to local neighborhood identities. I place emphasis on creating visual stories and emotive pieces that people can explore and hopefully resonate with.”