Travel throughout the Sunshine State and you are bound to come across some of the gorgeous Florida murals. Dozens of municipalities and private organizations have come together to commission artists and tell a story. Interested in seeing some murals but not sure where to begin? Here are my recommendations on where to view Florida’s murals.
Find Your Wings in West Volusia County and Haines City
DeLand in West Volusia County welcomed its first pair of wings in 2014. Artist Erica Group drew a pair of chalk angel wings to serve as a backdrop for boutique staff to model clothing and share on social media.
Group painted the angel wings on green industrial doors in an alley and they were a viral sensation with visitors posing in front of them. The West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority approached Group about expanding the trail and developing it as a tourism attraction. Since then, five more sets of wings were added to create the Wings of The West Mural Trail. Sprinkled throughout West Volusia County are a pair peacock feathers, sweet fairy wings, biplane wings at Skydive DeLand, Florida scrub jay, and a pair of swallow-tailed kite wings.
Early in 2019, the Haines City Community Redevelopment Agency launched a public art project called Haines City WINGS. It features eight life-size murals of butterfly and angel wings and encourages visitors to pose in front of them and share on social media. The CRA reached out to Los Angeles artist Colette Miller, who since 2012, has been painting wings around the world through her Global Angel Wings Project. She painted the signature angel wings mural while six local artists and one from Pennsylvania each painted a perfect pair.
Lake Placid, The Town of Murals
The Caladium Capitol of the World also boasts being http://www.muralsoflakeplacid.com/The Town of Murals. The Lake Placid Mural Society was founded in 1992 and today, more than 47 colorful murals tell Lake Placid’s history. Walk through this outdoor art gallery and keep your eyes open for more than a dozen unique trash containers, bird plaques, clown cut-outs and more treasures.
Begin your self-guided tour at the Great Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center/Mural Art Gallery which offers a brief video introducing the mural program. A mural guidebook is available for purchase.
Be a Star at Miami’s Wynwood Walls
This industrial area has embraced street graffiti art and is a kaleidoscope of color. It is now home to creative studios and artist galleries and the Wynwood Walls, a vibrant collection of murals by famous artists. These walls are perfect for striking a pose. Watch out for selfie sticks and expect to see wannabe models changing wardrobes. Vivid color spills into the neighborhood around the Wynwood Walls making the area a popular tourist destination attracting visitors from across the globe. Dining, a gallery, and shop are on site.
Follow Punta Gorda’s History
“Tails from the Harbor,” a mural celebrating Charlotte Harbor’s marine life of past and present, was painted by artist Skip Dyrda and dedicated June 20, 2019. Located under the Gilchrist Bridge (southbound U.S. 41) by Hurricane Charley’s (restaurant and bar), the artwork depicts various windows peering into Charlotte Harbor and spills onto the sidewalk.
Admire stunning images of goliath grouper, manatees, dolphins, horseshoe crabs, tarpon, and other life found in and around local waterways. Watch your step and you may think you’re stepping on a black snake.
The mural marks the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society‘s 30th mural in downtown Punta Gorda and a 31st is in the works. The society’s mission is to preserve and share city’s history and heritage through larger-than life, colorful murals.
Smell, Hear, Touch, and View this Mural Along the Mockingbird Trail
When in the Miami area, head to Lighthouse of Broward to experience the mockingbird mural. The organization trains and educates people who are visually impaired or blind. The mural is multi-sensory and features Florida’s state bird munching on oranges and berries. Look with your nose, hands, and ears. The bird’s wings and some of the oranges and berries are textured. A sensory box emits scent of citrus and listen closely, you may hear a mockingbird call. This mural is part of the Mockingbird Trail which will be 8 miles of urban walking trails in Fort Lauderdale.
Which Florida Murals Will You Visit?
This is a small sampling of the hundreds of murals found in Florida. Find these public art projects in small towns and big cities. Some tell a city’s history, others celebrate vibrant art, and a few created a backdrop and put the visitor front and center as the art’s focal point.
Nuts & Bolts About Which Florida Murals to Visit
Florida Mural Trail
www.facebook.com/floridamuraltrail
Wings of The West Mural Trail
www.erica.group/deland-wings
www.facebook.com/delandwings
West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority
116 W. New York Avenue
DeLand, Fla. 32720
Toll Free: 800-749-4350
Tel: 386-734-0162
www.visitwestvolusia.com
List of murals:
- #DeLandWings in Downtown DeLand
- Biplane Wings at Skydive DeLand
- Peacock Wings at Barberville Pioneer Settlement
- Fairy Wings at the Cassadaga Fairy Trail
- Scrub-jay Wings at Lyonia Preserve in Deltona
- Swallow-tailed Kite Wings at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge near DeLeon Springs
Haines City WINGS
www.hainescity.com
List of wings:
- Colette Miller’s Angel Wings, Lake Eva Community Center, 555 Ledwith Ave.
- “Beautifully Aware” Butterfly Wings, Haines City Chamber of Commerce, 35610 U.S. 27 South
- “Flight” Butterfly Wings at Interior Expressions, 801 Ingraham Avenue
- “Lady Justice” Wings,131 N. Sixth St.
- “Rise” Angel Wings at Lake Eva Park
- “Spirit” Wings, Haines City Boys & Girls Club, 704 Avenue C
- “Victory” Wings, Oakland Neighborhood Center, 915 Avenue E.
- “Whisper””Angel Wings, 801 Main Street in the Historic Downtown.
Wynwood Walls
2520 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, Fla. 33127
Tel: (305) 531-4411
www.thewynwoodwalls.com
Monday – Thursday 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Friday – Saturday 10:30 a.m. – Midnight
Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Admission is free.
Visit the website for walking tour options.
Mockingbird Trail
www.mockingbirdtrail.com
Mockingbird Mural at Lighthouse of Broward
650 N. Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311
Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society
puntagordamurals.com
Tel: (941) 639-3720
Download a mural map from their website or use the mobile map for self-guided tours. Between January – April, the society offers weekly walking tours.
Lake Placid Mural Society
The Great Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center/Mural Art Gallery
18 N. Oak Avenue
Lake Placid, Fla. 33852
Tel: (863) 465-4335
www.muralsoflakeplacid.com
Mural guidebooks for self-guided tours are available for $4.
Group tours of the murals can be arranged. Contact the Mural Art Gallery for details on pricing.
