By Andrea Martone
St. Petersburg, Florida, is famous for its public murals because of a vibrant, community-driven arts movement that began in the early 2010s and rapidly transformed the city’s streets into a renowned outdoor gallery space. The explosion of murals can be attributed to grassroots initiatives, supportive city government policies, inexpensive studio spaces that attracted artists, and the internationally respected SHINE Mural Festival, which debuted in 2015 and brings together top artists from around the world each year.
St. Pete’s mural scene blossomed when local artists migrated to the then-affordable and undeveloped historic 600 block of Central Avenue. City leaders worked to provide artists with cheap studio spaces instead of replacing old buildings with new development, fostering a creative hub where murals flourished.
SHINE Mural Festival Impact
The SHINE Mural Festival has played a key role by commissioning over 170 murals throughout the city and drawing in celebrated national and international artists. The festival connects art lovers, visitors, and locals, empowering artists and making public art a vital part of St. Petersburg’s identity. Local artists still play a prominent role, ensuring the scene remains varied, inclusive, and community-rooted.
The three St. Petersburg artists best known for public murals are Derek Donnelly, Chad Mize, and the Vitale Brothers. Each has left a unique mark on the city’s streets and are recognized as catalysts for St. Pete’s vibrant public art scene.
Derek Donnelly
Derek Donnelly’s playful and narrative-driven murals have become signature sights throughout St. Pete.
Donnelly is a St. Pete native and one of the city’s most prolific muralists, known for his strong community ties and lifelong dedication to public art. His work blends photo-realism with surreal and narrative elements, often celebrating local icons, history, or social messages. Donnelly’s murals include bold color palettes, lifelike faces, and dynamic urban imagery that reflect the city’s evolving story.
Derek Donnelly creates large scale beautification projects with an alliance of artists and community leaders through Public Art Project Inc. He founded this nonprofit organization to create, facilitate and educate the public on the social and economic impact of the arts.facebook.com/SAINTPAINT
Chad Mize
Chad Mize is known for whimsical designs often featuring pineapples, palm trees, and bold, playful imagery, helping establish the city’s recognizable mural landscape. Mize, originally from New Orleans and based in St. Petersburg, is not only a muralist but also a gallery owner and designer. His signature style is playful pop-art, featuring impactful use of repetition and icons such as pineapples and palm trees. Mize is known for “word murals” and high-impact graphics, often blending humor and positivity in a style that’s accessible and instantly recognizable. chadmize.com
The Vitale Brothers
The Vitale Brothers – Johnny and Paul – are famous for colorful, energetic murals and are core contributors to the city’s pop-art vibe and mural explosion along Central Avenue.
The Vitale Bros. are prolific muralists based in St. Petersburg. Since 1992, they’ve painted walls throughout Tampa Bay and have had a major hand in St. Petersburg becoming a world-class arts destination.
Today, Johnny and Paul work with Jason Kekllas & Bruce Statton under the Vitale Bros. moniker. The crew has created campaigns for the Tampa Bay Rays and L’oreal’s SalonCentric national locations. They’ve executed murals for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, many local businesses and private residences. Commercial exterior painting, fine art reproductions and interior faux finishing are also part of their skill set. Recently they opened a new retail street art shop called Overspray in the warehouse arts district I downtown St. Petersburg.
The Vitale Brothers have played a pivotal role in the evolution of St. Pete’s mural scene. Initially starting with hand-painted signs and small-scale murals, their work has grown to include some of the most iconic murals in the area. They were instrumental in the early days of the city’s mural movement, working alongside other local artists to create large-scale public artworks.
The Vitale Brothers’ style is a unique blend of pop art, graffiti, and traditional mural techniques. Their ability to incorporate local culture and historical elements into their work sets them apart. Their murals are not just art; they are visual stories that reflect the community’s identity and aspirations. vitalebrothers.com