Art on Public Infrastructure — Vinyl Wrap Series (2016–2025)
OVERVIEW
Between 2017 and 2025, artist Emily Clanton’s original artwork was adapted for printed vinyl wraps on public infrastructure in three cities: traffic signal boxes in Pompano Beach, Florida; a bus shelter in Chattanooga, Tennessee; and electric utility boxes in Homestead, Florida. Each project was selected or commissioned through a municipal public art program.
The series shows how a single body of work can be adapted to different sites, surfaces, and programs. The artist applied and was selected for each project through a public art program, except in Homestead, where the City commissioned the work directly after seeing the Pompano Beach wraps.
OBJECTIVES
Bring original artwork to everyday infrastructure outside downtown and tourist areas
Support each city’s public art program goals with durable, low-maintenance work
Adapt existing designs to new surfaces and dimensions without losing the original artwork
"Sisters" on an electric utility box, SW Washington Avenue & Campbell Drive in Homestead, Florida (2025).
Summertime: vinyl wrap art reproduction for wall on large bus stop in the Shepherd Neighborhood, Chattanooga, Tennessee (2019).
PROCESS
The artist applied to public art calls in Atlanta, Pompano Beach, and Chattanooga and was selected in each. In Homestead, the City’s municipal electric utility commissioned the work directly after seeing the Pompano Beach installations.
For each site, the artist adapted the artwork to the surface’s dimensions and worked with the fabricator on printing and outdoor durability. In Homestead, two existing designs were adapted to the City’s boxes, and the project moved from commission to installation in about six weeks.
PROJECTS IN THE SERIES
Precedent: Atlanta, GA (2016). 1942, a portrait painting on paper, was reproduced at billboard scale for the Bartaco Loves Art campaign, curated with Atlanta Contemporary. It was the first time the artist’s work was adapted for large-format public display. View project →
Pompano Beach, FL (2017). Two traffic signal box wraps on Powerline Road for the City of Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs / Public Art, Wraps Program Phase 3. Designs: Sisters and Lily in Berea. View project →
Chattanooga, TN (2017–2019). Summertime, a vinyl wrap on a bus shelter in the Shepherd Neighborhood, through the City of Chattanooga’s Art in Neighborhoods program with Public Art Chattanooga. The design was selected in 2017 and installed in 2019. View project →
Homestead, FL (2025). Electric utility box wraps for the City of Homestead through Homestead Public Services (HPS Energy), part of the City’s Art in Public Places Initiative. Two boxes are installed, featuring Sisters and Lily in Berea; a third, Summertime, is pending installation. View project →
'1942,' Billboard-scale reproduction of natural dye portrait, Midtown Atlanta, GA (2016)
'Sisters' design on traffic signal box, Powerline Road, Pompano Beach, FL (2017) (two detail images)
OUTCOMES
Original artwork installed on public infrastructure in three cities across two states
A repeat commission in Homestead that came directly from the Pompano Beach installations
Designs adapted to new sites and surfaces, extending the reach of each artwork
IMPACT
The series offers cities a practical model for public art: existing artwork, adapted to a site, produced by local fabricators, and installed on infrastructure residents already pass every day. Utility boxes and transit shelters become small points of interest in neighborhoods that public art programs often aim to reach.
PARTNERS
City of Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs / Public Art · City of Chattanooga, Public Art Chattanooga, Shepherd Action Council, and CARTA · City of Homestead and Homestead Public Services (HPS Energy)