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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nLakeland artist Kate Hall completed the program’s first mural, “Crape Blossoms,” on the southern wall of Low Country Vintage, an antiques store at 913 S. Florida Ave., in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fresh paint will hit the walls of Bent’s Schwinn Cycling & Fitness at 1058 S. Florida Ave. starting Wednesday, according to Damaris Stull, the CRA’s project manager for Art Infusion. The bike shop’s storage shed will become home to a second large mural at a later date, according to Stull, as the design is still being finalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not to be outdone, Swan Brewing has signed up to host two murals \u2014 one on its outer wall funded by the Art Infusion program and one interior work of art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
360 Unlimited, just south of Cresap Street, will get some new artwork to boldly stake its place. Stull said the clothing store’s mural will be designed by muralist Timothy Haas. Haas previously painted the whimsical fantasy scene on the side of Southside Cleaners that features whales floating through a moonscape in January 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nReececliff Family Diner, among Lakeland’s oldest and most iconic restaurants, has decided to jump into the program. It too will get a mural in the months to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dixieland’s well-known Subs ‘n Such has elected to take a playful approach when it comes to a mural. Stull shared a sneak peek of its mural design at the Lakeland CRA’s Thursday meeting. It depicted a purple octopus resting near a yellow submarine, evoking imagery of a popular Beatles song. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite having 18 projects underway within a mile and a half stretch, Stull said there’s plenty more that could be done with the half million dollars the Lakeland CRA has set aside for the program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I need more business owners to apply,” she said. “As soon as more owners are a little bit more willing to participate, I think it will start picking up a bit more.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roughly 30 artists have applied to paint murals across the city, but so far only eight have been selected. The rest are waiting for canvases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cory Petcoff, CRA board member and president of Baron Realty, said he’s heard some businesses owners are hesitant to get involved with the mural, as they have concerns about being responsible for long-term maintenance of the artwork or possible controversy among customers about the design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building owners or companies are given full creative control over the design of murals placed on their building, Stull said. She’s actually had two artists back out of projects feeling they couldn’t render the designs requested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“When we went into it, we knew there would be some disagreements relative to what that property owners and artists want; there may be some creative differences,” Alis Drumgo, Lakeland CRA’s manager, said. “We wanted to have opportunities and different samples for property and business owners to look at.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lakeland CRA has budgeted to provide approximately $500 that businesses with murals can apply for to have an artists come touch up their work, Stull said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drumgo said his ultimate goal is to have a local arts group step up to help support the Art Infusion program by hosting a festival or putting out a call for artists to help refresh the canvases with new artwork over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Business owners who choose to take part are asked to keep the mural visible for five years, after which it can be repainted or painted over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We’re hoping it’s a great start that gains traction and takes off on its own,” Drumgo said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n