Lead Artist: Bill Savarese
Whether called street paintings, sidewalk paintings or asphalt art, street art has the ability to turn ordinary pavement into a canvas. As documented in a Bloomberg Foundation publication, a growing number of cities around the world are embracing public art as an effective way to revitalize public space.
The City of Pompano Beach Public Art Program was awarded the Community Foundation of Broward Grant- Art of Community Grant. The City, who’s grant is entitled Asphalt Art - The Crossroads Connection, along with Pompano Beach artist Bill Savarese and the City Utilities Department worked with the community and local schools in the form of community engagement activities and surveys. These activities helped lead artist Bill Savarese design 4 asphalt murals and 8 storm drain murals. The 8 storm drain murals were installed in a community event where locals helped paint the murals themselves in 2021 and the 4 asphalt murals were installed August 2023. All 12 murals are located in the Innovations District on SW 1st Ave. between Atlantic Blvd. and SW 2nd St. and on SW 1st Ct. between SW 2nd St. and South Cypress Rd.
The project was an opportunity to educate, energize, and engage our entire community while celebrating our City’s unique characteristics through public art. This project involved community volunteers, local artists, and various city departments including the Utilities Department in the production of public art in pedestrian space creating street art on asphalt and storm drains. The storm drains in particular, focused on the importance of keeping our waterways clean and not littering.