COLORING
OUTSIDE
THE LINES
SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON
ST. PETE’S MURALS
There’s something
magical about seeing
hundreds of colorful
abstract paintings
on St. Pete store-
even water towers. They grab
a powerful statement about the
creative energy of the community,
and the willingness of city leaders
to encourage this unique form of
public street art.
“We have an immense outdoor
gallery of the best mural artists in
the world, and we get to enjoy
it year-round. It gives a beautiful
energy to the city,” says Jimmy
Breen, co-owner of Wax & Hive,
who with his business partner
Anthony Freese, will be among
the many mural artists participating
in this year’s SHINE Mural
Festival.
celebrates the creative talent of
St. Pete and the power of urban
street art to transform public
be painting enormous murals
will help them reach the top.
Although the artists are carefully
selected by a committee of
judges, once accepted, they are
given full creative freedom to
express their talent. “That doesn’t
happen very often, which is one of
the reasons why we get so many
great artists every year,” says
SHINE Director Jenee Priebe.
St. Pete’s love affair with urban
street art began slowly. According
-
Palehorse, The State Theater, a
popular music venue, wanted a
unload equipment. But instead of
Bros, pitched a different idea—a
large-scale abstract mural that
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