Description
Tocobaga Monument dedication
Our team of creatives has been immersed in the history of the Tocobaga, the Native Americans (Indigenous People) that first inhabited Tampa Bay. The design team was comprised of local artist, Steve Graff, Commissioned Artist, Creative Concepts & Design; Debby Hill, iQbranding, Graphic Illustration; Sara Mullins, CEO, Galleries on The Go / iQbranding, Agent.
We have the privilege of creating the monument to honor the rich history of Indian Shores. As we continually research and create artwork and communications for the community we would like to share the beauty and the wisdom we have been blessed with. Many thanks for the tireless support of the arts by Mayor Pat Soranno, the Town Council, Bonnie Dhonau, Town Administrator, and Freddie Lozano, Town Clerk. Paid for by Penny for Pinellas#pennyforpinellas
The Phil Graham Gulf Boulevard Beautification Plan allotted Penny for Pinellas money for 11 beach communities along Gulf Boulevard based on beach footage. Indian Shores received a total of $4M for projects such as utility undergrounding, pedestrian safety, bike safety, landscaping, and various signage and art installations to enhance Gulf Boulevard.
The founder of Galleries on the Go, Sara Mullins, was approached by Chief E.D. Williams, Town Administrator–Indian Shores. Mullins was invited to identify an artist who could submit sketches for a memorial to the Tocobaga people.
Through Town Council workshops, the artist team of Sara Mullins and Steve Graff collected ideas from the public to further develop the memorial concept. This led to the definition for a Memorial plaza dedicated to the Tocobaga and a re-branding of the Town with the new logo featuring the Tocobaga man casting a net into the Gulf. Due to input from conservative Indian Shores residents, the branding ended up being done first followed by the Memorial dedication.
ART AS PLACEMAKING
The monument is designed as a plaza. The methodology is called ‘Art as Placemaking.’ We wanted people to interact frequently with the monument, not just look at a bronze piece once and walk away. Each kiosk is interpretive signage with short paragraphs outlining the history that can realistically be shared on such a small space. We are adding video shorts so that visitors may scan with their phones for more information.
The timeline is graphic vinyl applied underneath the arch, and the outer ‘skin’ of the arch is graphic vinyl depicting Florida fish and wildlife in full color.
CREDITS:
Seminole Tribe of Florida, Paul Backhouse, Heritage & Environmental Resources Office Senior Director; Gordon Wareham, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Director; Tara Backhouse, Collections Manager; Elizabeth Medina, Event and Programming Coordinator; Melissa Sherman, Visitor Services and Development Manager.
Sculptor, Geza Gaspar #gezagaspar
Fabricator, Danny Powell, SignStar
Landscape Architect, Celia Nichols, Nichols Landscape Architecture
Archeological Support by Dr. Robert Austin, AWIARE; Dr. Lori Collins, Associate Professor | USF
Monument was completed June 2022. Location : Tiki Gardens, Indian Shores
Indian Shores Monument Kiosk
Tocobaga sculpture
Arch Timeline
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