Featured Image: Destination Panama City
When a city has so many murals that it warrants a dedicated trail with nearly three dozen stops, you can bet it’s worth a visit. Led by the nonprofit organization the Bay Arts Alliance, they’ve literally painted the town of Panama City in vibrant color over the years. From art-covered restaurants to painted columns, building facades, and colorful nooks and crannies, their goal of art around every corner has just about been met.
Here’s your ultimate guide to traveling along the Panama City Mural Trail.
Bringing Art to Every Corner
Believing art to be an essential part of their community, the Bay Arts Alliance has been an active non-profit organization since 1978. Headquartered in Panama City, the Alliance has served its community in more ways than just artistic beautification: they have integrated national touring performances into the area, provided local schools with art education programs, and even given kids the opportunity to see performances at no cost.
In addition, the Bay Arts Alliance also helmed the Bay Arts Mural Project, under which the Panama City Mural Trail was born. This initiative aimed to bring art to every corner, and through hard work securing funding, commissioning artists, and rallying support, the Bay Arts Alliance did just that. Curious about what’s waiting for you on every corner? We’ve rounded them all up for you below.
Historic Downtown Murals
To wander the collection of murals in Downtown Panama City, start at the “Welcome Wall.” Showcasing a collection of multiple pieces by multiple artists, it’s the perfect way to get your mind right for the rest of your trip. Another stop with lots of bang for your buck would be “Love PC Mini Masterpieces,” a cornucopia of murals all by Christence Taylor adorning the pillars underneath the Destination Panama City Visitor Center.
If you’re itching to show the other Instagrammers where you are, go to “Greetings from Panama City” by Morgan Summers, a large postage-stamp-style piece perfect for capturing on camera. Head to Summers’ “Downtown Breezeway” next, a beautiful double-sided rainbow wall to get you from Harrison Avenue to Grave Avenue.
As a good reminder to keep on keeping on, George F. Baker III painted “Keep Dancing” in just three days, and has a popping color scheme sure to give you a serotonin boost. Encouragement to persist can be found in Heather Clement’s “Still We Rise,” a tribute she notes signifies their “community planting the seeds of trees whose shade we know we shall never sit in.” In a similar fashion, “Growing the Seeds of Change” by Jen Honeycutt is a sweet reminder of the beauty in leaving a positive community impact and striving for betterment.
If you’re a fellow lover of nature and animals, the Panama City Mural Trail has plenty of stops for you. See our favorite pollinators in “Honey Bee” by Heather Parker, and spot another beloved flying insect in “Flutter By,” a mural adorning the Panama City Center for the Arts by Cameron Moberg. The piece features a beautiful sunset orange-and-pink color palette of butterflies. If that’s not enough pink, and there’s never enough, see “FlaminGLOW,” created by Sara Griffith and Lauren McCluskey.
If you’re ready to dive into the water, see “A New Wave,” JD Justice’s modern pop art mural showing off a few rays dancing in the waves. In Joyful Enriquez’s “Sea Turtle,” the art pays pays tribute to the gentle swimmers the name suggests. Finally, with one more sea creature on the list of stops, you can see our misunderstood friends up close and personal at “Hammer Head” by Jessie Jennings while enjoying a crisp beverage at History Class Brewing Company. Not at all ocean related, but while you’re here, you might as well grab another beer and check out “Small Town Big Heart,” too.
Back on land, “Old Florida” by Heather Parker shows off the diverse beauty of Florida’s coastal landscape, featuring a little bit of everything from lily pads to palm trees and a variety of birds. With a similar vibe but a stronger nod to the past, the “115 Harrison Ave Mural” was painted in the 1950s and shows off another Florida landscape view. The “Mary Ola Reynolds Miller Palm Preserve,” designed and painted by Mary Ola, owner of the Gallery of Art in Downtown Panama City, was created to remind onlookers of the importance of preserving the natural beauty and creatures native to Panama City.
Nothing says funky-fresh like a taco restaurant covered from ceiling to floor in the workings of 12 different artists. So, if you’re craving a taco with a side of art, head to El Weirdo. If your eyes and stomach are still hungry for more, head to Tom’s Hot Dogs right next door to the Panama City Center for the Arts, where you can catch a glimpse of the restored 1940s “Coca-Cola” mural. It’s a beautiful tribute to the past even if you prefer your Coke diet.
St. Andrews Murals
The St. Andrews neighborhood has become known for its waterfront charm, walkability, and now, mural scene. Starting at Heather Parker’s “Day at the Creek,” you can see yet another fabulous representation of Panama City’s wildlife and sunny days. Stay salty at “St. Andrews Small Walls,” a picture-perfect stop to remember your trip to their neck of the woods.
If that wasn’t salty enough for you, you can try again at “MS Salty” by Heather Clements. Representing the spirit of St. Andrews, this beautiful work tributes its flourishing flora and fauna. The same artists also painted “Taproom,” a tribute to loved ones lost, each represented by a different component of the painting.
With a certain yin and yang component, “Darkside” and “Lightside,” by a collection of several artists, blueprint one of Panama City’s largest artistic collaborations. Facing one another, the works show an elaborate collection of creatures so intricate, you won’t know where to look. With one more look under the sea, “Captain’s Catch” at Captain’s Table Fish House displays a collection of colored fish by J.D. Justice. Back on land, you can see a beautiful rendition of colorful birds and leaves at “Alice’s on Bayview” before stopping in to grab a bite.
Bonus Stops
You wouldn’t be able to call Panama City such a prominent artistic location without its water tower also being covered in color, right? With the work of artist Paul Brent, the local water tower was transformed into the city’s first-ever mural and beautifully captures many of the things that make Panama City, Panama City.
Finally, at Watson Landings Marina, you can see the 2,000-square-foot painting by Heather Clements called “Octavia Clementine,” the perfect name for a purple octopus, if you ask me. Better yet, you’re already acquainted with Octavia’s sister if you stopped by the “MS Salty” mural.
Hungry for more travel inspiration? Click here.
| This article is presented in partnership with Destination Panama City, a Modern South Founding Partner.
