Tomlin Middle School has been serving local Plant City students since 1972. The school was originally built in 1955 and one of the key features of the school was its bandstand at the back of the building. The bandstand has seen many local and school-related activities over the years, but as the years went on and more entertainment venues opened up in Plant City, the bandstand saw less activity and became a storage facility.
The staff at the school wanted to revitalize the bandstand, so they reached out to the Tampa Bay Foundation to help with creating a mural to help bring it back to life. “I work closely with the Tampa Bay Foundation,” said Leah Tinsley, owner of The Creative ArtNest. “I have done some murals at other schools in Tampa and murals in and around Plant City, so I wanted the opportunity to do the mural at Tomlin Middle School.”
Tinsley and her team recognize the profound impact that art can have on community well-being. It enriches lives, promotes mental health, and can even drive economic growth through cultural tourism. “Art serves as a vital tool for expressing emotions, addressing social issues, and envisioning a brighter future together,” Tinsley said. “Our mission is to weave creativity into the fabric of everyday life, using our artistic endeavors as a medium for connection, healing, and empowerment.”
Tinsley and the staff at Tomlin Middle School are looking to the Plant City community for sponsorship for the mural project. “We have had a few local sponsors step, but we need more to complete this project at the middle school. We are trying to raise $30,000 for the project.”
Tinsley has worked closely with the staff at the middle school to come up with how the mural will look. “We have incorporated all the things Plant City is known for, and these local icons will be featured in the mural,” Tinsley said. “Plant City has a rich history, and we want the mural to be an expression of its history.”
Tinsley hopes more local businesses and residents will help raise the funds to complete the mural project at Tomlin Middle School. “We want the Plant City community to become involved with the mural project,” Tinsley said. “Many Plant City residents have attended Tomlin Middle School and have wonderful memories of the school and the bandstand. We want them to help us revitalize this historic space.”
If you would like to be a sponsor of the mural project at Tomlin Middle School, you can contact Tomlin Middle School’s principal, Matthew Johnson at 813-757-9400 or contact Tinsley at THECREATIVEARTNEST@gmail.com. If you’d like to learn more about The Creative Artnest, you can visit their website at https://thecreativeartnest.com.
