Parking garages are urban givens in the downtowns of major cities. Seemingly, so is an unwritten law that absolves them from any sense of design beyond function. They are acceptably boring and vibeless because of their expeditious purpose. Thus, their aesthetics bypass.
Exhibit A, the Poe Garage downtown that straddles the railroad tracks next to the art and children’s museums. It is what it is. Municipally bland, although bordered by creativity.
Well, some of that creativity–not just an occasional light show–will now be directed at the garage. Starting next month two local artists will begin adorning the outside of the garage with colorful murals with the theme “Stay Curious.”
The $100,000 commission will come out of the city’s public-art budget.
And speaking of public art, isn’t this really a classic use? It’s an identity canvas. It can reflect who we are and what we’re evolving into. And it’s accessible to everyone. It activates imaginations. It encourages passersby to think and pay attention and engage. And to smile or ponder.
And, yes, public art has practical applications. It’s well documented that cities with an active and dynamic cultural scene are more attractive to individuals and businesses.
Call it a $100,000 investment–as well as aesthetic relief from blatant blandness.
One more thing. When these artists, Leon Bedore of Tampa and Ales Hostomsky of St. Petersburg, have finished their two-month project, could we find a way to get them to work on the Con Agra silo?