Murals dress up downtown Clearwater

CLEARWATER, Fla. (FOX 13) - Several bright murals are beginning to show up in downtown Clearwater. After receiving more than 100 applications, the city's Community Redevelopment Agency hired five teams of muralists to enhance five buildings with their artwork.

The project is a partnership with downtown property owners. 

Three muralists are from the Tampa Bay region, one is from Gainesville, and one team is from Uruguay. 

That team of Florencia Durn and Camilo Nuez is painting the city's Garden Avenue Garage, at 28 North Garden Avenue. It will cover several stories of the parking garage. 

"This is our first time painting here in the United States. We try to travel at least six months of the year to different parts of the world.  We're really excited about this," said Durn. 

The muralists began their work earlier this month and plan to be done by the end of January.  

Other muralists include Justin McAllister and the Gibbs High School Mural Club of St. Petersburg. They will design and paint the mural at the Flag Company, at 1360 Cleveland Street.

The husband-and-wife team of Michelle Sawyer and Tony Krol of Tampa will be painting at Creative Contractors, at 620 Drew Street.

Cecilia Lueza of St. Petersburg will work at a commercial property at 512 Cleveland Street, and Julia Morrisroe of Gainesville will work on the mural at the Clearwater Tower Parking Garage, at 33 North Garden Avenue.