PIE Unveils New Airside Murals by Artists Leo Gomez and Laura "Miss Crit" Spencer

PIE’s airside is more vibrant than ever with its debut of two new murals with a Welcome to Florida spirit.  Mural artists Laura “Miss Crit” Spencer and Leo Gomez were selected by an arts committee panel in September to create new murals on Gate 12 airside walls.  Visible to passengers arriving and departing from Gates 7-11 and Gate 12, these murals transformed the slate gray walls with Leo’s “Go Easy” Welcome to Florida message and Laura “Miss Crit” Spencer’s Florida colorful flora and fauna ecosystem mural into a uniquely inviting arrival.  The artists were selected from 20 local muralists and collaborated together to create PIE’s first ever murals.

Leo Gomez’s mural "GO EASY" features a dreamy Tampa Bay sunset, with welcoming colors, bold text, and silhouettes that evoke travel and nature. “Tampa Bay is an arts destination and there is no better way to show our culture than with what we do best. PIE has already done a beautiful job at incorporating different types of local art pieces all around the airport for the public to enjoy, but these new murals are just going to take things to another level,” said Leo Gomez.

 Laura “Miss Crit'' Spencer was inspired by Florida native flowers inhabited by a variety of bees, butterflies, and pollinators in her design “La Pascua Florida.” "As a Pinellas County native, it's an honor to celebrate the vibrant culture and ecosystem of our community. My goal was to merge elements of the Arts Coast and Nature Coast – creating a 'welcome home' message that matches the elegant and effortless vibe that PIE Airport provides,” said Laura “Miss Crit” Spencer.

 

“This marks the first partnership with St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) where this mural project will create a welcoming first impression for all those traveling to and from the Tampa Bay area.” said Creative Pinellas CEO Barbara St. Clair. “This mural project will elevate Pinellas County as the Arts Coast destination.”

“Leo and Laura have transformed our Gate 12 airside with a playful invite inside St. Pete-Clearwater’s airport and community.  Go Easy is PIE’s motto and we feel it also connects to the arts, culture and beach life in Pinellas. Gomez brought this message to life, and we are thrilled to have his mural as a first impression to our visitors and a welcome home to locals!  Laura “Miss Crit” Spencer’s mural showcases her enthusiasm for our local natural environment.  Their excitement about collaborating to bring PIE’s first two murals to life is the same excitement we want visitors to feel when they arrive.  We are so thrilled to showcase their work at PIE!” said Michele Routh, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) Public Relations Director.

 

Leo Gomez of Leo Gomez Studios - A hand lettering artist, muralist, sign painter, designer, and all-around lover of hand-crafted art. He creates beautiful hand lettering designs and murals. Every project is meant to communicate a positive message and make a difference. He is extremely passionate about creating authentic work, transforming boring walls into inspiring spaces and boosting community engagement with bright and colorful designs. https://leogomezstudio.com/

Laura "Miss Crit" Spencer- Miss Crit [Laura Spencer] is an Illustrator born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. With a style that is a little bit spooky and a little bit psychedelic, Miss Crit designs with her third-eye wide open. As a native Floridian, Miss Crit loves to celebrate the vibrant, natural environment of her home state. She brings together traditional fine art techniques, narrative storytelling devices, and digital design technology to craft quaint and quirky illustrations. https://www.themisscrit.com/

For additional information on the mural program, contact Creative Pinellas at muralarts@creativepinellas.org.

Airport Media Contact:  Michele Routh, Airport Public Relations Director   

mrouth@fly2pie.com  727-453-7879