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Fort Myers Mural Society highlights public-art work and tourism; society says it has grown since 2016
Summary
Sherry Shiffrin, executive director of the Fort Myers Mural Society, briefed the CRA on murals, public-art techniques and tourism impact. She said the nonprofit now includes 84 artists, has led major projects such as McCollum Hall and the River Basin, and operates an app and map for mural tours.
Sherry Shiffrin, executive director of the Fort Myers Mural Society, told the Fort Myers CRA board the nonprofit has grown since 2016 to 84 participating artists and has mounted large public projects intended to boost art tourism and neighborhood revitalization.
"We began in 2016... we have 84 artists that participate with the Mural Society," Shiffrin said, describing the organization's evolution from early murals to an expanded program of conservation techniques, international artist partnerships and community-focused storytelling through public art.
Shiffrin described major projects the society has completed with CRA and county partners, including a McCollum Hall mural that commemorates the site's role in the Chitlin' Circuit and a River Basin installation with audio “autocast” storytelling. She said the group has introduced a durable, tile-like mural technique to Fort Myers and helped mentor other Florida municipalities in the method. The society also painted augmented-reality murals and worked on parks projects such as Lions Park, where it painted native-species artwork along walkways.
The presentation covered partnerships with local and national funders and organizations, the society's app and plans for a downloadable map so visitors can find murals without installing an app. Board members discussed QR codes and the need for approvals from Historic Preservation Commission and the Public Art Committee for plaque or QR-code designs; Shiffrin said designs had been submitted and approvals were in process.
The board thanked the society for its role in telling community history and increasing downtown foot traffic and tourism. No formal action was taken during the spotlight.
