Since the beginning of Suntan’s association with the Don Vista building, there has been talk of a mural…. something that would tell the community that there was art going on inside the historic building . After nearly 40 years, plans began to take shape early this winter. Members of the community, the City of St Pete Beach and Suntan Art Center formed a committee to explore the notion.

It was decided with some trepidation to execute a mural, 8’ and 22’ long, in glass mosaic.   Noted local artists, Frank Saso and Libit Jones contributed the initial cartoon renderings. The design chosen would fill the blank wall with familiar images from life on this quiet barrier island. Scale drawings were enlarged into 2’ X 4’ line drawings that were used as a template/pattern to create 22 panels that would become the glass mural.

Every Tuesday evening, since March, members of the community and Suntan have worked together to interpret the original design with small glass squares, tesserae, cut by the hundreds, by glass students from Suntan . In order to create a smooth final product, the mural was created using an indirect method of application. Pieces of glass were glued to the paper pattern, upside down, using a watersoluble glue. When each paper pattern was completed, it was attached, glass side down, to a thin sheet of  cementaceous backer board using special exterior mortar designed especially for glass. The paper was then washed away to expose the true side of the glass.

In late November, glass laden panels were mounted to the East wall of the Don Vista building using special fasteners to insure that the panels are secure and will support the weight of the glass. Additional pieces of glass are being added to the panels where they meet, giving the colorful mural a seamless appearance.   The materials were purchased   with donations from members of the St Pete Beach and Suntan communities. There is an ongoing fundraising campaign to provide suitable lighting for the enormous work of art so that it may be enjoyed  both day and night. The panels will be grouted together and the piece of public art dedicated in the new year.

The Suntan Art Center wall in St. Pete Beach before the mural goes up