Through a Bloomberg Philanthropies grant, the Council on Culture & Arts (COCA), the Greater Bond Neighborhood Association, and the City of Tallahassee’s Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Affairs (PRNA) Department partnered to facilitate the creative painting of 5 crosswalks and 1 intersection at 3 locations within the Greater Bond neighborhood. Tallahassee distinguishes itself as a national leader in public art by partaking in this Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative. If you have any questions, please reach out to COCA’s Public Art Manager at sam@tallahasseearts.org.

You can also view this project on Bloomberg Philanthropies’ website here!

COCA hosted an RFQ and paid 12 local artists to create designs for the community to pick their favorite through rank choice voting. Bond neighborhood students, seniors, and everyone in-between participated, totaling to an incredible 322 voters. The 3 selected artists and designs were made using these voting results and are highlighted below. Mural installation was completed in the Bond Neighborhood on May 26th and May 27th, 2023. Volunteers and community members of all ages and backgrounds came out to assist in painting and participate in the installation events.

THE SELECTED ARTISTS & designs

Vardyce Gaines is an experienced graphic designer and artist with over 15 years of professional experience in art design, mural design and painting, art instruction, illustration, marketing and advertising prints, social media design, and professional digital design.

He enjoys spearheading creative design projects and has an eye for creative design. He is an innovator and forward‐thinker, able to look beyond the normal artistic details one may see and create something more thoughtful, innovative, and impactful for clients. He has exceptional collaborative and interpersonal skills and thrives where there is diversity and inclusion.

Saxon at Osceola

Franzline Whaley is an Illustrator, Muralist, Portrait Painter, and Educator of Haitian descent who was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. Franzline has called Florida “home” for the past 25 years. During this time, Franzline has had the great pleasure and privilege to be commissioned for book illustration projects, live portrait paintings, as well as paintings for restaurants, beauty salons, schools, and homes. In addition, Franzline has enjoyed working with children from underserved communities in various capacities.

Franzline’s background in School Psychology and the Arts has been instrumental in helping her to develop 2 growing companies that she is extremely proud of: Cool, Colorful Kids – a company co-founded with her sister that encourages young children and pre-teens to grow in self-confidence while exploring the Arts (visual arts, music, performing arts, etc.) – and Kowosòl Art & Design Studio – a company with a focus on using color and texture to bring peace and serenity to spaces.

Saxon at Tucker

Lindsey Masterson, the owner of Pen & Tool, was born and raised in the sunshine state. She graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and has 15 years of experience in the creative field. Lindsey focuses on work ranging from creative consultation, branding and graphic design, print and editorial design, photography, murals, illustrations, and more.

In her spare time, she enjoys petting dogs, camping, traveling, cooking up new recipes, and connecting with the community.

Saxon at Linear Park

A special "Thank You" to those involved

R.J. Singleton (Nanuko Digital)

Kevin Willis (North Florida Drone Services)

Catering with Care

Howdy’s Portables

Gandy Print

Greater Bond Neighborhood Association

Leann Watts-Williams (COT)

Allen Seacrest (COT)

Jillian Driscoll (COT)

John Baker (COT)

Domi Station

Greater Mt Zion Primitive Church

Talethia Edwards (GBNA)

Sarah Painter (Painter Hayes)

Cosby Hayes (Painter Hayes)

Hannah Keats

Wileen Footman (GBNA)

Sierra Thomas (Oh Yikes Designs)

Emma Witmer (Rowland Publishing/TM)

Dania Tawfiq (Tawfiq Counseling & Consulting)

Commissioner Curtis Richardson

Dr. Henry Lewis

Donna Pearl Cotterell (GBNA)

Zarryen Gaines

Lori Gaines

Elijah Edwards

Victor Whaley

Francesca Predestin

Vashard Whaley

Noelette Saintil

Jordyn Saintil

Akeem Saintil

Heather Williams

Yudah Weh (Hemplade Vagen Cafe)

Holly McPhail (KCCI)

Will Mueller

Kathleen Spehar (COCA)

Sam Joslin (COCA)

Nick Pavlovik (COCA)

Samantha Sumler (COCA)

John Shannon (PPG)

View the Final Project Report:

Press Links

COCA envisions artists bringing vibrancy to Bond with Asphalt Art (tallahassee.com)

The Greater Bond Community receives a new makeover (wtxl.com)

Asphalt Art projects gets going in Tallahassee’s Bond Community (tallahassee.com)

Three colorful murals brighten streets in Tallahassee’s Bond Community (tallahassee.com)