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In paint, the tales of two cities
By JANEL STEPHENS ST. PETERSBURG -- They're re-creating the city's history with a stroke of a brush. Bob and Cathy Schott of St. Petersburg were recently commissioned by First Night organizers and the city to create a mural on the Florida International Museum to commemorate the city's 100th anniversary of incorporation and the 300th birthday of St. Petersburg, Russia.
They've transformed the wall into a compilation of historical sites, people and moments of the two St. Petersburgs. "I love it," said Pat Mason, executive director of First Night, as she visited the Schotts, who were busy painting the mural early Monday morning. "This long blank wall just cried out for a wonderful art piece for people to enjoy." Familiar with the Schotts' previous work, which includes murals in local restaurants, pool halls and banks, Mason asked them to submit a proposal that would incorporate the cities' anniversaries. They pieced together a work to include Russian artifacts like the matryoshka, the stacked doll that is a favorite toy for Russian children; a Russian clown figure; and the Alexander Column of St. Petersburg. They painted attractions from the Florida city, such as the tour boat Manatee, Webb's City, the Coliseum and the Vinoy -- and moments such as a flag bearer standing at attention during the St. Petersburg Fair and Tourist week in 1913. Painted palm trees serve as bookends for the mural. A pelican swoops down from one tree. Bob Schott plans to include more birds from the Sunshine State on the mural. But first things first. He sits cross-legged in front of a recently painted picture of the Coliseum. The longtime resident completed the building over the weekend and was adding some finishing touches that included a park, trees and benches in front of it. He works swiftly underneath the covered walkway. The mural should be finished in two weeks and will be up for one year. A passer-by stops and watches. "It looks so real," said 20-year-old Renee Graham of St. Petersburg. "Are you going to add people to those benches?" she asked Bob Schott. "Maybe," Schott replied. His wife of 13 years is perched on a wooden ladder, filling in her recently drawn sketch of Webb's City. "My mother used to work there," Graham said. Since they started the project, the two have gotten used to people stopping by to watch and chat. "The most common response we've had so far is that (the mural) is so beautiful," said Bob Schott, 54. "They say 'Finally, they're doing something with this wall.' " Cathy Schott sees the mural as a photo stop for tourists who have stopped next to the mural, even though it's not finished. "It's a nice photo opportunity for people with kids to take pictures," said Cathy Schott, 41. Suggestions on what should be placed on the mural were made by the city and First Night. The mural was underwritten by the city and other sponsors.
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