PHOTO COURTESY OF STREET ART REVOLUTION

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. – The Calypso Project contains three unique public works of art that highlight the waterfront appropriate theme of “Aquatics,” and create a colorful, fun, multi-dimensional outdoor art museum for the public to experience.

The project is sponsored by the City of Riviera Beach CRA.

“Adding public art to the marina shows the deep commitment the City of Riviera Beach’s CRA has for the arts and I am honored to be part of their efforts,” said Caron Bowman, curator and artist of Street Art Revolution.

“With public art projects such as the Calypso project, Rivera Beach is continuing its forward direction as a destination of choice for the marine enthusiast.”

Street Art Revolution is a public art company that was started by Bowman to bring artwork and artists into communities.

The mission is to give them both a platform and an audience, she said. They partner with governmental agencies, developers and corporations to deliver highly curated public art programs.

Moreover, she said, utilizing public art to act as a catalyst for positive change, creating new narratives for communities with a sense of place and with a deep respect to local culture, are among her objectives.

Bowman provided some details regarding the public art pieces in and around the Riviera Beach Marina Village, 200 E. 13th St.

“The Aquarium” (two stories tall)

The Street art Revolution team took inspiration from the architectural design of the water tank. We decided to paint the water tank like an Aquarium. The design shows off the wonderful aquatic treasures of the area. The piece highlights suggestions from the community of aquatic life such as sea turtles, manatees, crabs, lobsters, starfishes, stingrays and tropical fish.

One prominent feature of the mural is the “Retro Diver” which reflects the fact that Riviera Beach is one of the top destinations for diving in the United States. The image of the diver honors Naval Veterans of Riviera Beach.

Another feature in the design of the tank is the Rolls-Royce that is an artificial reef in the Intercoastal Waterway. The Rolls Royce owner sank the car in 1985 in order to encourage people to create artificial reefs. The Rolls-Royce today is 1 of 160 artificial reefs in the Intercoastal Waterway. (Street Art Revolution artists: Eduardo Mendieta and Anthony Hernandez.)

“Calypso Wall Mural” (120ft x 10ft)

The “Calypso Wall Mural” took its inspiration from the African American and Caribbean culture which were essential ingredients to the development of the city’s aquatic industries. The mural consists of a school of tropical fish. Each fish has embedded in their design African masks. The fish are done in a multitude of colors that represent the diversity of the community.

(Street Art Revolution artist: Caron Bowman.)
“The Sail,” an art piece made of woven material in geometric patterns on a fence (175 ft x 6 ft)

“The Sail” takes inspiration from the aquatic industry. Riviera Beach Marina is one of the top places in the county for recreational boating. The concept design for “The Sail” comes from the long tradition of African American quilt making. Each of the geometric shapes in the installation is inspired by the nautical activity of sailing. The colors in the installation are inspired by the marina’s location.

(Street Art Revolution artists: Eduardo Mendieta, Dalia Perryman and Caron Bowman.)