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DOWNTOWN BRADENTON PUBLIC ART COLLECTION

The City of Bradenton is proud of its inclusive and collaborative public art system that engages people who live, work, and play in Bradenton to participate in the artist selection process.

Since 2012, the downtown Bradenton public art collection has increased from seven pieces of art to over 60 works of art for the community to enjoy. The diverse collection includes a variety of artists, styles and mediums.

The downtown collection includes the 'Postcards from the Friendly City,' murals, sculpture, and functional art. Below is a sample of the collection. To view the entire public art collection, go to WalkBradenton.com

Murals
Cats and Dogs Mosaic

Your favorite furry friends come alive in this fun mosaic. The art borders the welcome sign to Bradenton Veterinary Hospital.

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Come Back Soon II

In 1924, the City of Bradenton coined the phrase ‘The Friendly City’ which still characterizes Bradenton today! A favorite of many, the artwork was duplicated to make a 8’ x 12’ tile mural on the SpringHill Suites hotel downtown Bradenton.

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Embrace The Future

The inspiration behind the mural is to embrace the future while remembering the past. The swirling vines resemble the community and the blooming flowers symbolize growth. The vibrant colors reflect the inescapable beauty of Bradenton.

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Road Art

This art was designed to create visual connectivity between downtown Bradenton and the Village of the Arts. The abstract spheres are applied directly to the asphalt using commercial grade thermoplastic.

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See You When You Return

The neighborhood worked directly with the artist to inspire the theme of the mural. It depicts two teens on the verge of adulthood who have been nurtured by their families and the community, as they yearn to explore the world.

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The Magic River

This 120′ mosaic is created of ceramic tile and colorful art glass. Every 8-10 feet a new theme emerges, depicting life in Bradenton.

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Transit Station Mural

This is a spectacular piece consists of four 10′ x 25′ abstract tile wall panels featuring the design of sun, water, and flora. Each are produced twice, in a mirror image.

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Postcards of the Friendly City
An Homage to the Creative Spirit

A neighborhood is re imagined from the visionary leadership of Herbie Rose (1930-2017), the ‘Honorary Mayor of the Village of the Arts’ and others. Today the Village of the Arts is a colorful, vibrant community.

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Boats

Imagine a world where roads were rivers. Docks along the river were the commercial ports of their day and everything moved in and out of Bradenton on boats, from small family-owned rowboats to steamships. Without boats and boatbuilding, Manatee County’s growth would have been greatly limited.

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Come Back Soon

Tourism began when the first settlers told the country about the wonders of the Manatee River. In 1924, the City of Bradenton coined the phrase “The Friendly City” which still characterizes Bradenton and Manatee County.

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Courthouse Memories

The Historic Manatee County Courthouse has always been more than a municipal center; it continues as a community gathering place and site of key events in Manatee County history.

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Fishing

Seafood from the Manatee River fed the aboriginal Indians. In the 1800s, Cuban fishermen made their homes along the river’s shore. Fishing kept early residents alive, sustained people during the hard times of the Great Depression, and provides food and recreation today.

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Flora and Fauna

The Village of the Arts is a kaleidoscope of unique shapes, vibrant colors, and rich textures created by the tree canopy, beautiful backyard gardens and brightly colored homes. Free roaming felines have made front porch swings their homes.

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Follow Your Bliss

The colorful directional signs located throughout the Village of the Arts direct visitors to an eclectic collection of imaginative sights, sounds, and experiences sure to delight the mind, body and spirit.

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Mind Blown

Astronomy, the aquarium, artifacts and more come together at the The Bishop Museum in mind blowing proportions—where space encounters sea, past meets future, and everything in between.

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Our Roots Run Deep

Farming was a way of life for Manatee’s earliest settlers. The Manatee River was the only connection that local fruit and vegetable growers had to markets as near as Tampa and as distant as Chicago. Later, the railroad bridge, still in use, expanded the connections to those markets.

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Take the Stage

From the original 1947 nomadic troupe of traveling community artists, The Manatee Players, Inc., and its venue, Manatee Performing Arts Center, are dedicated to inspiring artists, patrons, and performers through the arts.

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When Old Main Street Was New

Turn north towards the Manatee River and take a few steps toward today’s 4th Avenue. As you look down today’s Old Main Street, imagine the same street from that same spot at the turn of the 20th century.

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Sculptures
Chrysalis Launcher

The Chrysalis Launcher aims colorful wings of art toward the Village of the Arts. The colorful wings flutter out and alight on objects in the neighborhood. The sculpture is angled to invite visitors into the live-work community.

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Open Heart Icon

This 7’ bronze sculpture was created by actor and artist Jane Seymour. The sculpture with two hearts linked together symbolizes the philosophy that ‘if your heart is open, love will find its way in.” The sculpture is located along the Riverwalk near Manatee Memorial Hospital.

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Splash Pad Sculptures

These 12′ tall yellow, purple, green and blue fun, abstract sculptures welcome ‘happy splashers’ to the Riverwalk splash pad. Each piece is unique yet complementary to one another. These pieces are sure to make you smile!

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