Street Art is Changing the Landscape in Gainesville

Gainesville sits in the northern part of central Florida and is known mostly because the University of Florida is located there. I’ve been to Gainesville several times largely because my husband spent some time there and still owns a home near downtown. Today street art makes up a big part of the landscape in Gainesville. It’s changing the city and inspiring a revitalization.

A College Town

Truthfully, I’ve never thought much of it. It’s a quaint college town with some southern charm. As for the culture, is it mostly driven by the college, and that’s not a bad thing. It seems like a great and safe place to spend a few years going to college. Yet, being from what I consider the city, Miami, it just seemed fun for a weekend. Hitting the college bars, visiting the Hearn museum, fantasizing over the Victorian style homes in Duckpond and the even more the intriguing midcentury treasures (homes) outside of downtown makes for a perfect weekend in Gainesville.

The Murals

I really like Gainesville but with the recent creation of several murals by national street artists in Downtown, the overall feel of the city has been elevated. Now, it’s not like many great artists haven’t come out of the university yet to take it from inside the walls of the school to the streets inspires a cosmopolitan vibe. This vibe is something everyone can see when just visiting Downtown, and that’s brilliant. Why can’t a small college town also offer world class art and culture to its citizens and visitors? I mean there is more to life than football.

It’s been a year since the murals were done and something definitely seems to be buzzing in the streets of downtown Gainesville. There seems to be a revitalization, a little more culture and a technology movement which puts Gainesville at the forefront of the international map. If you want to experience cool small town life with a street art twist this is a great place to visit.

The murals are part of the 352walls/The Gainesville Urban Art Project. The artists featured are Evoka1, Pastel, Axel Void, 2501, 2Alas, Add Fuel, Elian, Franco Fasoli Jaz, Interesni Kazki Duo, Gaia, L.E.O., and a mix of local artists.

Here are some pictures of Gainesville and the street art murals:

Our bed and breakfast- The Sweet Water Branch Inn, so cozy and charming

Evoka1

Found this at Pop A Top Corner Store and Downtown Bodega- such a cool place!

A band rehearses for a show that night at the cultural center

Interesni Kazki Duo

Pastel

Add Fuel

View from our cottage

2Alas

2Alas

Elian

Sweet Water Branch Inn

Add Fuel

Gallery Protocol

Gallery Protocol