It's OK If You Love Tampa Bay; Pen A Poem About It And Submit It To The Poetry Post

TAMPA, FL — In the latest iteration of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor's Art on the Block program, the mayor is inviting residents to put their rhyming skills to the test and participate in a new poetry mobile art project called The Poetry Post.

The mobile public art project is traveling throughout the city giving residents an opportunity to write and post poems to share with the community.

City of Tampa Wordsmith Gianna Russo came up with the project as part of the city's celebration of National Arts & Humanities Month. Residents are invited to jot down a poem, short story or haiku and post it in the mobile box.

The Poetry Post mobile box is a work of art itself. Designed by local artist Eileen Goldenberg, the sculpture features her trademark whimsical layering and use of color. Goldenberg's design incorporates poems submitted by local poets that celebrate the history of Tampa and local landmarks like the Tampa Theatre and Hillsborough River.

These poems were selected through the National Poetry Month poetry challenge in April, organized by Russo, a writer and educator who was appointed the city's first wordsmith in 2020.

The Poetry Post box will be on display at Tampa City Hall through November and then will be temporarily installed at various city locations.

"When we have a vibrant arts community, it motivates families to explore this great city and appreciate its beauty and history," Castor said. "We know when a city's business climate supports the arts, we see more tourism, economic development and a better quality of life."

Art on the Block is an initiative to bring art and artists into the neighborhoods, making art accessible to all and encouraging residents to beautify their communities. To date, the initiative has included murals on buildings and roads, mosaics and sculptures.

The city currently has a call-out all to artists to apply to be considered for Art on the Block projects. The deadline is Dec. 17.

The call is open to artists of any discipline: two- and three-dimensional art, textiles, theater, music, dance, sculpture and the written or spoken word.

The city is seeking temporary and permanent installations for neighborhoods, parks and transportation-related locations.

Artwork may be environmental in nature, carry a message of social justice, speak to the history of the neighborhood, or simply be fun and engaging.

Click here for more details.

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