County Expands Community-Wide Public Art Project With Five New Installments

Leon County Government and KCCI Community Catalysts today unveiled the five latest installments of Art of the Box, a growing communitywide initiative that transforms utility boxes into public art. Leon County and Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) celebrated the original artwork of the local artists selected for Art of the Box at LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Library, one of the five new locations.

"Leon County is proud to partner with KCCI for Art of the Box to bring more public art to our community," said Leon County Commission Chairman Rick Minor. "Art is one of life’s greatest gifts, and we’re thankful to KCCI for turning these gray and beige utility boxes into beautiful showcases for our local artists.”

The artistically covered County boxes bring the total number of installations to 19 for Art of the Box, a project first piloted by KCCI in fall 2020. In collaboration with partners such as Leon County, the project gives local artists the opportunity to exhibit art outdoors in the public realm and helps deter graffiti. Their artwork is printed onto waterproof vinyl and then wrapped around utility boxes, transforming two-dimensional artworks into outdoor three-dimensional murals for all to enjoy.

The five artists range from a local illustrator to a rising junior at Lincoln High school. Artwork can be found at locations throughout Leon County:

• Rosa Cruz, "Lake Nature," featured at Leon County Apalachee Regional Park
• Joy Green, “Happy Kitties,” featured at LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Library
• Stephanie Roche, “The Garden,” featured at Leon County Northeast Branch Library
• Charlotte Spinks, “Hiv(e)voltage,” featured at J. Lewis Hall Sr. Woodville Park
• Robin Washington, “American Lotus, Florida Goods,” featured at the Leon County Courthouse

“Leon County is committed to providing long-lasting community partnerships that enhance our community for generations to come,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “This project makes local art accessible for everyone while engaging and connecting us as a community.”

The County selected the five artists with input from KCCI’s 2021 Community Catalysts, whose focus this year is on generating more art in public spaces and expanding Art of the Box throughout the city and county. The County committed funding to wrap five large utility boxes, and a Call for Artists issued in the spring received more than 50 entries.

“We are thrilled to have the support of Leon County leaders to expand Art of the Box and showcase the talented artists in our community,” said Betsy Couch, KCCI Executive Director. “We know that public art increases community engagement, improves mental health and encourages social cohesion. Art of the Box brings all of these benefits as well as economic opportunity and marketing for talented local artists in our community."

KCCI Community Catalysts also identified a corridor of traffic control boxes throughout Tallahassee that are ideal candidates for graffiti abatement. The group continues to work with partners to expand this public art project. The Art of the Box project is a public/private collaboration between non-profit KCCI, Leon County Government, FASTSIGNS, COCA, and others. For more information about Art of the Box and to learn more about the artists, visit ArtofTheBox.org.

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About KCCI: Established in 2007, KCCI is a local organization committed to positive placemaking and community collaboration in Tallahassee. KCCI projects have generated nearly $1 billion in economic impact for Leon County. A new group of volunteer Community Catalysts is selected to plan and implement each annual project. KCCI is made possible by partners including: Knight Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation of North Florida, Archibald Foundation, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, VyStar Credit Union, Taproot, FAMU School of Business and Industry, Florida State University College of Business, NAI Talcor, Structure Real Estate, Nolia & Bill Brandt, Lewis + Whitlock, Wood + Partners, Brown & Brown, BowStern Marketing, Serena and Jon Moyle, Cassidy and Company, Tharpe Construction, Flightline Group, Inc., Drs. Chaney, Couch, Callaway, Carter and Associates Family Dentistry, Charlie Johnson and Rowland Publishing.

The 2021 KCCI Community Catalyst team includes: Joey Arellano; Scott Balog, Tallahassee Community College; Erika Branchcomb, Florida League of Cities; Cyrus Calhoun III, Florida House of Representatives; Shannon Colavecchio, The Moore Agency; Nipa Eason, SalterMitchell PR; Talethia Edwards, Department of Health; Khari James, State Attorney's Office, 2nd Judicial Circuit; Tyler Maldonado, Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Marie Moyle, U.S. Attorney's Office; Ali Palmer, Kimley-Horn; Aaron Redda, Florida Public Service Commission and USF; and Daniel Taylor, Daniel Taylor Consulting, Inc. For more information on KCCI, visit KCCITallahassee.com.