Art of the Box
The Art of the Box Pilot Project was envisioned by KCCI and made possible in partnership with the City of Tallahassee and these Community Partners:
Local artists were commissioned to transform Traffic Control Boxes into outdoor art through the Art of the Box Pilot Project.
These public infrastructures provide canvases to enhance streetscapes that foster excitement and build a unique sense of place for residents, students, and visitors.
The artists’ designs were transferred onto City of Tallahassee Traffic Control Boxes, and one of the designs was transferred on a Leon County utility box. The following artists were selected through a free online application process that was open to all local residents:
Christopher Barnhart
Nipa Eason
Powell Kay Kreis
Mary Maurer
Sarah Painter
Perdita Ross
Dan Taylor
Walter Thorner
Mary Liz Tippin-Moody
Art Locations
To view and print a map of all the art locations, click here.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Related News
- Residents Invited to Transform Traffic Boxes into Local Public Art
- Tallahassee transforming traffic boxes into local public art
- Tallahassee Artists To Make Blighted Boxes Beautiful
- KCCI’s Art in the Box project features local art submissions
- Local Artists Transform Traffic Boxes Throughout Tallahassee
