Storefronts in Plant City have the opportunity to be featured in a work of art that will help raise money for charity.
From strawberry shortcake at Parkesdale Farm Market to Historic Downtown, there are dozens of picture-perfect landscapes in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
Soon, Plant City residents will be able to buy a mural that celebrates these landmarks and help local charities in the process.
CityScape Artworks is having artists draw Plant City in a piece that will feature dozens of city storefronts. Through sponsorships, CityScapes Artworks is giving business owners the opportunity to have their shops featured in the piece.
Once the drawing is completed, 10 local charities will each be given 100 prints that they can sell for their benefit for about $30 per piece through auctions and other fundraisers.
For George Painter, one of the sales representatives for CityScapes Artwork, the drawings are a win-win for everyone involved.
Painter is responsible for finding sponsors for the paintings. Sponsors, usually business owners, can have their storefront featured in the piece for a cost. Then, the sponsors receive a signed print by the artist that can also be auctioned off.
“Right now, we have about 35 to 40 sponsors,” Painter said. “We’re looking for maybe 50 to 60 sponsors. If I can get 50 with some historical sites, that’s plenty.”
If the project sounds familiar to Plant City residents, it’s likely because they’ve seen similar murals in different cities. CityScapes Artwork has done the murals in Lakeland, Sebring, Melbourne, DeLand, Titusville and outside of Florida.
All drawings for the mural are done based off of existing photos. In addition to the sponsors, Plant City’s mural will feature Historic Downtown, including the mural behind Whistle Stop Cafe, and the strawberry water tank.
“It’s like a time capsule,” Painter said. “It’s a work of art. It won’t be done again (in Plant City) for another 10 years. It’s a rendering of your town and all the local businesses.”
Business owners aren’t the only ones who can have their storefronts featured. Nonprofits are given 100 prints for free, but only have to pay $200 dollars if they want their charity featured in the mural. There are only two slots left for charities who would like copies of the artwork to sell.
The piece is expected to be completed this summer.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
