Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa has introduced a new sculpture to its public art collection, which dates back to the late 1800s. The latest addition, located outside City Center at Hanna Avenue, is described as a "visual metaphor of dreams coming to life."

The sculpture, titled “Open House,” stands 28 feet tall and embodies the playful nature of building blocks. It symbolizes City Center as a place where plans are realized and ideas transform into reality. Its open design encourages community interaction, allowing people to walk through and explore its intricate details. The colorful panels of the sculpture represent Tampa’s sunrises and sunsets and feature over 300 street names submitted by residents during a citywide outreach initiative.

Artists Erik Carlson and Ericka Carpenter from Rhode Island were chosen for this project following a national call for artists. Known for their work across various cities including Denver, San Diego, and Washington, the couple brings architectural skill and poetic vision to their creations.

Mayor Jane Castor expressed her views on the importance of public art: “Public art preserves and tells Tampa’s story in a beautiful and thought-provoking way. It also makes art accessible to everyone, which is incredibly important, particularly for our younger generations who may not be exposed to the cultural arts on a regular basis. I strongly believe visual art is one of the strongest statements a community can make to show its values and we are grateful to be able to continue to grow our collection.”

Tampa's public art collection comprises around 800 pieces valued at approximately $19 million. Notable works include “Transportation” at the University of Tampa from 1899 and Jonathan Borofsky's “Lightning” in front of Amalie Arena. Other significant pieces like Yaacov Agam's “Visual Welcome” and MaryAnn Ungar's “The Wave” enhance the city's cultural landscape.

Future installations are planned for locations such as the Tampa Convention Center.