​Painting Of Warehouse Mural 1st In New Series In Clearwater

CLEARWATER - The city of Clearwater's ongoing commitment to the arts will be on display through the end of May with the painting of a warehouse mural at701 Franklin St., part of an upcoming series of artwork planned for city-owned properties downtown.

The Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency has partnered with Austin, Texas-based artist DAAS to transform the building's east facade into a colorful expression of Florida's native flowers.

DAAS, an internationally recognized artist known for his vibrant, engaging murals, was selected from a list of more than 190 applicants from across the country.

DAAS began preparation work on the mural May 17 and will be painting for about two more weeks at the Franklin Street site, where the public is invited to see the art come to life in downtown Clearwater.

"I believe the purpose of public art is for the enjoyment of everyone, and this belief is at the core of how I approach my work in a public space," said DAAS. "Through artwork I hope to inspire, encourage, and most importantly, create something that will be beneficial to the well-being of the community."

The new mural, the first of three to be commissioned in the coming months, builds upon the success of the CRA's initial program, which saw four murals painted on city-owned and private properties throughout downtown. The program fulfills the organization's mission to create high-quality public spaces by weaving art and culture into the fabric of everyday life.

"We're thrilled to see this next phase energize our community this year as downtown becomes the next great arts destination in Tampa Bay," said Amanda Thompson, CRA director.

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