You know, it’s not all about Miami, people. During this Art Basel-Wynwood week, sometimes it’s like all the other Florida cities are having Jan Brady middle-child syndrome (Miami, Miami, Miami!). Oh sure, Tampa has Disney, but what about beer cocktails being served in an aerosol spray can by a model in a white fur bikini?

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. (photo © Greg Byron)

Long before the current graffiti industrial complex, there were public art murals. These commissioned works have been a time-honored way to give a community and artists an opportunity to collaborate for a common purpose – or set of common purposes. With many Street Artists carrying a certain caché in this moment, cities and towns and “Business Improvement Districts” are seeking the same artists who they once put in hand cuffs to beautify the environs, minus any possibly transgressive messages. The embrace is conditional of course but an intelligent and thoughtful approach to engaging with and valuing the talents of artists – a little more Jersey City  and a little less Detroit, as it were.

Street Artists/fine artists/mural artists Tes One & Bask recently completed a rather vast series of murals for the Arts Program Division of the City of Tampa with a team of 8 assistants and 175 gallons of paint — transforming a number of facades with a campaign they called “Stay Curious”. Here’s a look at some exclusive pics sent to BSA by the artists this week.

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. (photo © Greg Byron)

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. (photo © Greg Byron)

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. (photo © Greg Byron)

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. (photo © Greg Byron)

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. (photo © Bask)

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. (photo © Greg Byron)

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. (photo © Greg Byron)

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. (photo © Greg Byron)

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. (photo © Greg Byron)

Tes One and Bask. Tampa, Florida. CLICK on image to enlarge. (photo © Nicole Abbett)