WALL+A

Southside Public Arts Initiative | SOMO Walls Murals

The KCCI team is leading the creation of Leon County’s largest public art installation — a year‑round, fully accessible destination in the Southside that advances the goals of the Southside CRA as well as the South Monroe/South Adams and South City neighborhoods. This mural project will transform the South Monroe corridor into a vibrant outdoor arts destination.

Featuring eight large‑scale murals across a series of eight stacked shipping containers, the installation will form a striking visual gateway for the Southside, driving tourism, fostering community pride, and encouraging continued investment. This project is a collaboration between nonprofit, public, and private partners. It is made possible through the Knight Creative Communities Institutes leadership, led by KCCI’s 2026 Community Catalyst team and supported by KCCI’s partners, and in collaboration with the City of Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and SOMO Walls.

For more details, click here.

W.T. Moore Elementary

Connected Communities Inspire the Future

“Connected Communities Inspire the Future” is a collaborative public art initiative that brings together students from W.T. Moore Elementary and Westminster Oaks resident artists. The project will feature two large fence banners installed near the school—one highlighting “Connected Communities” and the other “Inspire the Future”—each surrounded by original artwork. In addition, electric utility boxes in front of the school will be transformed with artistic wraps, expanding the project’s visual presence. Building on the earlier “Art of the Box” effort, this initiative reflects an ongoing commitment to revitalizing and sustaining community-driven public art. The project will culminate in a community art show showcasing work created by students and resident artists, reinforcing the theme and celebrating local creativity.

Work will begin in Fall 2026, with students and Westminster Oaks resident artists starting to create artwork inspired by the theme in August. By mid-October, completed pieces will be displayed at the Eastside Branch Library, W.T. Moore Elementary, and Westminster Oaks. The project includes coordinated efforts in design, funding, and community engagement to ensure a cohesive and meaningful experience that highlights connection, creativity, and shared community identity.

Kate Sullivan Elementary

The Kate Sullivan Elementary ground mural will transform the school’s main entrance into a vibrant, walk‑through ecosystem that immerses students and visitors in the habitat of the American crocodile, the school’s mascot. Designed as a colorful, place‑based learning experience, the mural highlights the interconnected freshwater, estuarine, and coastal environments found throughout Florida—featuring sawgrass marshes, cypress domes, mangrove shorelines, wading birds, and underwater species essential to Florida’s food webs. Visible day and night along the high‑traffic Miccosukee Road corridor, this installation will enhance STEAM learning, strengthen school pride, and create a photogenic community landmark. More than public art, it is a daily invitation for students, families, and neighbors to explore Florida’s ecosystems, celebrate native wildlife, and support environmental stewardship. It is a creative, fun, and and educational way to walk in and out of school each day!

Thank you to Amicus Brewing Ventures and Laura and Tom Barrett for supporting this project.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS)

The original artistic crosswalks at FAMU DRS became an instant source of pride—students beamed knowing their ideas shaped something permanent and visible on campus. Unfortunately, they were removed due to a new state mandate in 2025. However, the community is coming together to bring the art back bigger and better.  That sense of ownership and community spirit is exactly why school leadership and KCCI are now working closely with students to determine the best way to revive that beloved artwork. The goal is to honor the original spirit of the crosswalks while creating something even more lasting and visible. While details are still being shaped through community conversations, one exciting idea is to reimagine the artwork as a large‑scale welcome mural—either on a school wall or along the campus fence. This new installation would echo the same creative energy that made the crosswalks so meaningful. More updates are coming soon, but the vision is clear: bring back the art that made students proud, strengthen school identity, and create a vibrant, welcoming landmark that reflects the heart of the FAMU DRS and neighboring community.