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CITY OF TALLAHASSEE NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2007
CONTACT: Stefanie Long, Department of Communications, 891-8059; or Rick McCraw, Economic Development, 891-8685

Kleman Plaza Becomes Canvas for Local Artists
Downtown Mural to Honor Florida’s Endangered Species and Environment

What now is a plain plywood safety wall separating Kleman Plaza and the Plaza Tower construction site will become a canvas for local artists this weekend. Linda Hall, an adjunct professor of the FSU Art Department and AmeriCorps member currently serving Wakulla Springs, will lead a group of local artists Thursday, July 12, through Saturday, July 14, in the painting of a large mural honoring endangered Florida wildlife and the environment.

The project is expected to be completed Saturday afternoon and will include a casual reception at 4 p.m. to view and recognize the artists’ works.

"This is a unique opportunity for local artists to have their art displayed in a prime downtown location. It also will be a wonderful homage to endangered Florida animals and in keeping with the community’s ever-increasing commitment to a ‘green’ environment," said Chucha Barber, executive director of the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science who worked with the City to plan the project. "The Brogan welcomes every chance to collaborate with the local artist community, our resident partners on the Plaza and The City of Tallahassee. This is a great example of taking the circumstance – the need for a safety wall – and making it optimum, an artistic rendering."

Local artists scheduled to participate in the project include: Julie Argue; Donna Betts; Leslie Chin; Denise Drury; Maureen McCaferty; Bill Oterson; Susie Peacock; Barbara Psimas; Andrew Ross; Kathy Tripp; Chaundra Whitehead; and John Wilson. Artists from the LeMoyne Art Center and Florida State University art students will also participate, and the Rickards High Art Club will create a panel dedicated to green energy and the environment.

Additionally, the safety wall is also being used as a visual aid in discussions the Tallahassee Community College and The Mary Brogan Museum are having about washing and painting the building. Panels located nearest to the museum will serve as a large-scale paint swatch for the museum’s logo and proposed new building colors. There will be a mobile seventh panel as well. This will give members of the Kleman Plaza Design Review Board and the public an opportunity to view the future new colors as they will appear on the building in natural light.

The safety wall, which measures approximately 160’ long, will be up for about 18 months, until construction at the Plaza Tower is completed and pedestrian access is opened.