Street mural removals foster activism, solidarity

Mayor Ken Welch recently pledged that St. Petersburg would create “powerful new expressions of who we are” following the state’s removal of street murals. The community isn’t waiting around.

Local artist Michelle Sasha has launched the Love Thy Neighbor project to paint free murals celebrating inclusivity on private properties. Demonstrators will cover sidewalks around St. Petersburg’s Progress Pride flag intersection with chalk art Sunday before lining up along Central Avenue in a show of solidarity with marginalized groups. 

Sasha, founder of ArtFluent Creatives, said she has a “unique opportunity to offer something that can bring people together” and amplify their voices. Her initiative has received an outpouring of interest over the past few days, and she began painting driveways and mailboxes Friday. 

“I’m not giving too many limitations on what I’m willing to do, as long as it is promoting the right type of love and inclusivity,” Sasha said. “I’m honored and humbled by the fact that I have an opportunity to make my voice really loud, and show people we can lead with love and not hate.” 

Tamara Leigh, editor of Blaque/OUT Magazine, is one of three local stakeholders organizing the grassroots #STANDUPSTPETE event Sunday. Participants will adorn sidewalks between 23rd and 25th Street with “rainbows, love and support” between noon and 2 p.m. 

Leigh credited the event’s “great response” to residents who “may not have close ties” with marginalized groups but value the city’s diversity and inclusivity. “I think St. Petersburg has a long, storied history of being a place where people are told that they belong, and that we’ll stand up for them,” she said. 

“They can erase the streets, but they can’t erase us,” Leigh added. “They can’t erase our story, they can’t erase our culture and they can’t erase our contributions to this state, to the city or to this country.” 

Tamara Leigh, editor of Blaque/OUT Magazine, stands in front of the Pride Progress mural in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District. Photo provided.

Sasha said art can provide a sense of security. The LGBTQ community knows they are in a safe place and surrounded by allies when they cross over the Pride mural. 

She and many others believe the Florida Department of Transportation is undermining the importance of that message. Sasha wanted to provide a vibrant, permanent recourse for affected stakeholders. 

She will paint “wherever works for the property,” and people have offered creative ideas. Sasha is also happy to paint murals on buildings near the current street art. 

A previous, similar project in north Pinellas County led to Sasha hiring several people, and her business morphing into more of a “mural agency.” While she accepts donations and would “love” for a local company to provide paint, Sasha will “just come out of pocket if need be, and that’s no problem to me.” 

Paint costs $50 to $80 per gallon, and pride flags require 11 colors. Sasha said 60 people have requested murals as of Thursday evening. 

She hopes other artists, including those in Hillsborough County, will join her initiative. Sasha is prioritizing Pinellas but is “open to anyone signing up at this point.” 

“I don’t want the politics or religion or things like that to cloud the fact that this project is simply just humanity and loving and trying to make people feel welcome in their homes and communities,” she said. “I just want to be here as a resource to help people through a time when they feel pretty helpless.” 

Leigh’s group is accepting chalk donations until 4 p.m. Saturday. Those interested can drop off supplies at the Allendale United Methodist Church at 3803 Haines Road N. 

Leigh believes it is important for people to push back against what many people consider state overreach “in every way they possibly can.” She also noted that art fosters joy and bridges cultural divides, and believes both are critical during a divisive time in the nation’s history. 

“Unfortunately, I think that the hits will continue to keep coming, and I hope that folks stand steadfast and stand strong,” Leigh said. “I hope that they get inspiration from what happens on Sunday to continue fighting – to show that no matter what happens, that no matter what gets erased, we’re here and we’re still together.” 

For more information on the Love Thy Neighbor project, visit the website here.

For more information on the #STANDUPSTPETE event, visit the website here.

A collage of the five murals scheduled for removal. Image: City of St. Petersburg.