A young man throws a cast net from the Ballast Point Pier. Nearly three million people reside in the Tampa Bay Area, all directly or indirectly connected to its waters.

Title of Project: Tampa Bay: Living Waters portfolio for the Portal
Artist: Carlton Ward, Jr.  www.carltonward.com
Year Completed: 2009
Materials LED screens, digital photography
Commissioning Agencies: City of Tampa, Public Art Program
Location: Temporary digital installation at Tampa Convention Center (storefront); printed images at Tampa City Hall 

This photographic portfolio celebrates the natural wonder of the original Tampa Bay and the humanity connected to its living waters.  For Lights On Tampa, this portfolio was digitally displayed on LED screens installed in a storefront window as a prototype for the Portal.

The Portal is a project in development for permanent placement along Tampa’s Riverwalk. Portals will function as a linear gallery, combining short educational statements about the Environment, Well-Being, and Tampa’s Arts and Culture with beautiful imagery.

 Portals will also provide an access point—or Portal—to a companion website that will further delve into each subject area. Educational content for all ages, including links for further reading and exploration, lesson plans, and resource material specific to the Bay area will be accessible.

 This ambitious program is a collaborative project. In addition to the City of Tampa, partners include Southwest Florida Water Management District.