By Jim Carchidi
Much of Orlando’s urban landscape resembles an open-air gallery thanks to the efforts of local artists and support from city leaders. Two programs are expanding the collection by funding public art that supports causes and inspires positive change.
Art Pollination
Mural by Kellie Delaney
Mural by PJ Svejda
Mural by N. Carlos Jefferson
A new crop of murals have appeared along Church Street as part of “Art Pollination: Building Food Justice through Creativity." The effort is funded by a $1 million grant awarded to the city last year from Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, which brings city mayors together with residents and artists to address civic issues through public art projects.
Twenty Central Florida artists were chosen through a submissions process to create murals that raise awareness around food insecurity and hunger. The event kicked off with the September unveiling of 11 new murals in the Parramore District. The project includes works by Kellie Delaney, Carlos Jefferson, PJ Svejda, Juan William Chavez, and many more.
Work will continue along the Orlando Urban Trail and at community centers, food event sites, and with art exhibitions at Downtown Arts District’s CityArts gallery, Menello Museum of American Art, and the City Hall Terrace Gallery.
Storefront pop-ups
Select Orlando storefronts will host art installations to spotlight local talent and increase downtown foot traffic.
The DTOLive! partnership between United Arts Central Florida and the Downtown Development Board will offer select vacant storefronts as creative canvases to help boost economic vitality and pedestrian activity in the downtown area.
Applications are currently being accepted from artists and designers based in Orange, Osceola, Lake, and Seminole counties interested in activating available storefronts with pop-up exhibits. The program aims to showcase talent while boosting economic vitality and pedestrian activity.
Artists can apply through March 31, 2026, with proposals that can include painting, sculpture, fashion, set design, or window installations. New work is not required but displays need to be suitable for all audiences. Selected artists will receive a stipend of up to $2,000 to cover materials, production, and transportation costs. Artists will also be featured at their installation site on the DTOLive! website, and United Arts social media.
Storefront locations have not been made public yet, but an United Arts representative told The Orlando Real that the project will cover 12 installations and funding will come from the DTOLive! budget.
Individual artists, artist collectives, students 18 and over, and organizations can apply. United Arts and city representatives will review submissions based on the following criteria:
- Quality of work
- Provability of scale
- Aesthetic merit and enduring value
- Experience qualifications of the artist
Selected artists will have 40 days to create their installations and the works will remain in place for a period between 30 and 90 days. Artists will be made aware if any time extensions are necessary.
Click here for more information and a link to the application.
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