From David Volz
The successful Downtown Hollywood Mural Project (DHMP), which consists of over 25 outdoor, contemporary murals, now has a new extension with the addition of the Tyler Street Artistic Interactive Sidewalks.
The creative, new sidewalks feature four fun, interactive, block-long murals, painted by four different artists’ groups, on Tyler Street between 19th and 21st Avenues.
Tyler Street, which runs parallel to, and one block north of, Hollywood Boulevard, has recently become home to several new artsy and creative businesses, and these colorful, street-long, semi-permanent artworks are created to enhance this new energy, inviting and delighting visitors with designs intended for interaction and play.
“We’re excited to bring more interest and more pedestrians to Tyler Street,” said Jill Weisberg, Project Manager/Arts Specialist for the CRA, who oversees the DHMP. “Each design is unique and interactive. They add a new element of fun for anyone walking down the street.”
The idea for the project came from discussions between CRA Staff and the Mural Review Committee, which consists of the Hollywood Commissioners for Districts 1 and 2, Representatives from the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, and CRA staff. A call to artists for proposed designs drew over 35 submittals, from which the winning four were chosen.
The four murals cover the sidewalks on the north and south sides of Tyler Street between 19th and 21stAvenues, with each one stretching an entire block.
The mural on the south side of Tyler Street from 19th to 20th Avenues, a black ink graphic floral and botanical design, is by Heidi Walsh of Inkprint Studio. This mural is a ground-bound coloring book; visitors are encouraged to bring their own chalk to color in the flowers or even add some of their own. Walsh reported that passers-by couldn’t resist filling in some of the spaces even as she was painting them, and said they’d be coming back for more.
On the south side of Tyler Street from 20th to 21st Avenues, artist Andrew Hayes, Creative Director and Artist of The HAYZE Brand of clothing and accessories for men and women, designed a bright and bold outer space cartoon full of astronauts, planets and other creatures. This mural encourages the viewer to float through space and find the words “BE YOU,” the Hayze brand’s core message.
The mural on the north side of Tyler Street from 19th to 20th Avenues is a “Yellow Brick Road” that visitors can follow from task to task, filled with fun challenges, mazes, opportunities for selfies, and other upbeat stops with positive messages for people (and their pets!). It was created by the Art Squad, which is comprised of artists Marene K. Downs of Marene Originals Art, Heather Neiman, and Stephanie Leyden
Finally, on the north side of Tyler Street from 20th to 21st Avenues, is an underwater scene, viewed through a graphic depiction of floating tiles. This design, created by artist Eduardo Mendieta, features turtle imagery and brings to mind the classic sidewalk game Hopscotch.
“These murals are an additional point of interest for art enthusiasts in the largest walkable arts district in Broward County,” said Weisberg.
The Tyler Street Interactive Sidewalk Murals can be seen during the guided mural tour during the Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk, which takes place on the third Saturday of every month from 6 pm to 11 pm.
