After mural controversy, artist creates United Mural project

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — It’s been months since the controversial removal of street murals in the state and particularly here in the Tampa Bay area.

In St. Pete, the removal of the Black History Matters mural and the Pride flag mural were met with pushback, including the arrest of two local faith leaders, protesting the night of the removal.

A group of artists that helped paint those murals is using the same tools they used before on a new project — this time, their message will be spelled out to read “UNITED.”

John Gascot, artist and co-owner of Studios @ 5663, hand-picked six artists to create the United Mural project.

Each artist is assigned a letter, and inside the letter they will illustrate what being united means to them.

Many of the artists helped paint the Black Lives Matter mural and the Black History Matters mural that replaced it.

When the murals were removed, Gascot said he knew he had to do something to keep the importance of those murals alive and remind people of what truly unites them.

“I’m more excited about it because it’s almost like continuing something that was erased. So, it’s almost like a second chance at it. It’s not a Black Lives Matter mural, but there’s Black artists involved,” he said. “It’s just like a continuation, if you will,” Gascot said.

Artist Laura “Ms. Krit” Spencer was also involved in those projects.

“One of the murals that I painted was removed in front of the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum. I had the distinct pleasure of not only painting the Black Lives Matter mural, but the Black History Matters mural,” she said.

The word “UNITED” will be spelled out on the wall of Studios at 5663 on the busy Park Boulevard in Pinellas Park.

“It’s very well-traveled, so it will have a lot of eyes on it, and hopefully, people will take the time to pull over and take it all in because it’s going to have a lot of detail. It’s a long, long wall,” Gascot said.

To make this project happen, Gascot said it’s going to take a big budget of up to $20,000 to pull off.

Gascot said they’re fundraising to make sure each artist is able to use a letter that represents what being United looks like to them. 

“Miss Krit” already has an idea of what it means for her.

“I just want everybody to remember the reason why we all get together is that art is this unifying force. It gives us identity. It gives us purpose, and it gives us motivation and inspiration and hope for a better future,” she said.

In addition to their fundraising efforts, the community is also being invited out to help paint the background of the mural. That event takes place next month during UNITED Mural Fest at 5663.