Art of the Box

Transforming Utility and Traffic Control Boxes into art throughout the Tallahassee area

The Art of the Box Project was envisioned by KCCI and made possible in partnership with Leon County Government, the City of Tallahassee and these Community Partners:

Local artists commissioned to transform Utility and Traffic Control Boxes into outdoor art

The Art of the Box concept transforms graffiti-covered boxes into works of public art, while maintaining the functionality of the boxes. It is a collaboration between KCCI, City of Tallahassee, Leon County Government, Fast Signs, Tallahassee Downtown, COCA, and Taproot Creative.

Read below to download free guided tours, a map of artwork locations or to learn more about each local artist.

Art of the Box enhances streetscapes while fostering excitement and building a unique sense of place for residents, students, and visitors. Artwork was selected through a free online application process that was open to all residents.

The following artists are currently being featured.

Christopher Barnhart
Rosa Cruz
Debortina
Nipa Eason
Joy Green
Powell Kay Kreis
Mary Maurer
Victoria Mendenhall
Sarah Painter
Stephanie Roche
Perdita Ross
Olivia Schroeder
Charlotte Spinks
Dan Taylor
Walter Thorner
Mary Liz Tippin-Moody
Robin Washington

Art Locations

Art of the Box Location Map

To view a full-size image and print the map of art locations, click here.

You can also download brochures featuring a Self-Guided Walking Tour and a Self-Guided Driving Tour of the Art of the Box locations.

The Art of the Box initiative allows artists the opportunity to exhibit art outdoors in the public realm by having their artwork printed onto vinyl, which wrap the utility and traffic control boxes. Digitally translating images onto vinyl enables the transformation of two-dimensional artworks into outdoor three-dimensional murals for all to enjoy.

The Art of the Box Initiative

Provides economic opportunity & marketing for artists
Beautifies major thoroughfares
Creates an economic engine that empowers creatives
Transforms governmental infrastructure into works of outdoor art
Deters vandalism by replacing with art
Offers accessibility to art
Adds excitement & interest

Featured Artists

Christopher Barnhart

Christopher Barnhart is a dynamic one-of-a-kind freestyle artist specializing in multi-dimensional artwork that symbolizes infinity, my ladies, a mothers love, the protector and so much more meticulously detailed. Barnhart’s “Infinite Possibilities” demonstrates his talent in mixed media artwork. You can follow Christopher on Facebook at Christopher Barnhart or on Instagram @razorartwork.

Rosa Cruz

Rosa Cruz‘s “Lake Nature” featured at Apalachee Regional Park was inspired by Leon County’s abundant lakes, flora, fauna and colorful sunsets. Follow Rosa on Instagram @cruglezstermannstudio or visit her website at cruglezstermann.com.

Debortina

The artist, Debortina, is the creative collaboration of Debo Groover and Tina Torrance using painted surfaces and polymer clay to create beautifully unique collages. This piece is named “Four Faces: Chain of Parks 2017 Festival Cover.” Deb and Tina can be reached through their website www.debortinastudio.com.

Nipa Eason

Nipa Eason is a creative director, visual storyteller, client consultant and traditional and digital art creator. Her selected work is “Southern Magnolias,” a long-lasting flower symbol of Tallahassee that she features in a modern, stylized and colorful way showing forward progress in our community. Follow Nipa on Instagram at @nipa_ready_go or @pani26.

Joy Green

Joy Green loves to paint colorful, whimsical paintings. She paints everything from cats, horses, frogs and other critters to flowers, trees and more. People often comment that Joy’s art makes them smile and that makes Joy smile. You can follow Joy on Instagram @joy_a_green, on Facebook at Whimsicals by Joy-Joy Green, or visit whimsicalsbyjoy.com.

Powell Kay Kreis

Powell Kay Kreis has been immersed in the arts her entire life; painting, drawing, and designing jewelry are her true passions. “Florida at Night” illustrates her memories of growing up in the woods of Tallahassee. For Powell, nature is especially magical at night. Follow her on Instagram @Powellina_designs.

Mary Maurer

Mary Maurer is an environmental artist. She wants to use her art to promote ocean and endangered species conservation. Her art has been exhibited at LeMoyne, most recently at the Members show January 2021. Mary’s “Blue Planet Love” celebrates Florida’s diverse ecology and Tallahassee’s outdoor spaces. Check out her Instagram page at @annmaurer_fineart.

Victoria Mendenhall

Victoria Mendenhall is a local Tallahassee artist and an art teacher at Gilchrist Elementary. When she is not making messes and masterpieces with her students, she is painting florals or making homewares on her pottery wheel. She always does her best to inspire her little grizzlies through the magical world of art! This box was sponsored by Gilchrist Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization. Follow Gilchrist Elementary School on Instagram at @Gilchrist_elementary.

Sarah Painter

Sarah Painter is an artist and educator based in North Florida. When she’s not teaching high school art at Maclay School, she is painting. Painter specializes in socially engaged, site-specific mural works. She has worked with public and private entities to paint throughout Tallahassee, across the United States, and internationally. Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahpainter

Stephanie Roche

Stephanie Roche is a local Tallahassee artist and illustrator who loves where she lives and finds inspiration in the beauty around her. You can view Stephanie’s creations, including surface pattern designs, at stephrochedesign.com or on Instagram @stephrochedesign.

Perdita Ross

Perdita Ross specializes in Custom artwork, display design and 3D interactive blacklight art events.”Harmony” is a paper collage made from painted recycled cardboard boxes. For more information about Perdita, visit www.perditaross.com or follow her on Instagram @perditaross and perditaross.blogspot.com.

Olivia Schroeder

Olivia Schroeder is a rising sophomore at Maclay School in Tallahassee, Florida. Her artwork, “Acorns to Oaks,” is displayed on the traffic control box on the intersection of Maclay Road and Meridian Road.

Charlotte Spinks

Charlotte Spinks is a rising junior at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Florida where she enjoys participating in band and Latin Club. Outside of school Charlotte creates traditional, digital and 3D art. Her work, “Hiv(e)oltage,” is inspired by her father’s time as a beekeeper and the black bears that inhabit the nearby Apalachicola National Forest.

Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor’s “Springtime Tallahassee” is meant to evoke fond memories of our local parks—crowded with families and folks, young and old, under the canopy enjoying all our community has to offer. Follow him on Instagram @dantaylorartist.

Walter Thorner

Walter Thorner works in graphic arts, clay and stained-glass and has taught at the college, high and middle school levels and teaches at Woodville K-8 School. His public designs include Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and St. John’s Episcopal Church and the C.K. Steele sculpture in Tallahassee. His artwork selected for Art of the Box is “Moving On.”

Mary Liz Tippin-Moody

Mary Liz Tippin-Moody is an artist and freelancer creating watercolor paintings and illustrations, collages, clay sculptures, graphic design projects and written content. Her “Thin Red Line of Hope” depicts creatures native to the Tallahassee region sharing a thin red ribbon that represents their ability to survive despite many threats. Visit her website at maryliztippinmoody.com.

Robin Washington

Robin Washington was born in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1983. Her style infuses realism with comic line art that creates a heavily layered surrealist appearance with ageless soul. Robin Washington is a beautiful amalgam of various arts and influences she has engaged throughout her life. You can follow Robin on Instagram @Waternotesbaby or visit waternotesbaby.com.