Graffiti artwork coming to Bradenton's skate park

By mid-February, graffiti art will cover most of Bradenton's new skate park at the Riverwalk downtown.

On Tuesday, Bradenton Downtown Development Authority public art coordinator Ann Wykell said two local artists -- Matt Lang and Brandon Sommers -- have been selected to spray paint graffiti-style art throughout the park. The artists will paint roughly four pieces each and the work will remain at the skate park for a year or two. 

Wykell said about eight artists applied for the opportunity and Lang and Sommers were selected by an art panel. The artwork, which will reflect skateboard design and graphics, will be paid for by the DDA. 

"We want to integrate public art into Riverwalk and we want to integrate artwork to relate to the people who   use it," Wykell said. 

Some of the sketches by Lang were presented to the DDA board on Tuesday. One featured a giant eyeball painted along a ramp inside the skate park.

In other art-related news, Realize Bradenton and the Bradenton DDA, in partnership with South Florida Museum, is hosting Art Connects, an exhibition reception to recognize the art work of roughly 100 Manatee County high school students. The reception, to be held at the museum, will feature work showing Bradenton's cultural history along with a summary of what prior students learned from the exercise. 

The reception is set for 5: 30 p.m. Feb. 9, 201 10th St. W.