Johnny and Paul Vitale are certainly doing their part to help make St. Pete a world class arts destination. Since 1992, they have been installing signs and murals for local businesses including the Tampa Bay Rays and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Today they travel throughout the country doing work for L’Oréal’s SalonCentric locations and the Ciccio restaurant group that also owns CAMP fitness centers in Los Angeles and Tampa.
Together with business partner and artist Tes One, the Vitale brothers and their crew recently installed the first large-scale residential mural in Pinellas County. Kelly and Cole Brantley had wanted a mural on their modern home for several years, but they were never selected by the SHINE Mural Festival since they are outside of the downtown area in Historic Kenwood. They approached the Vitale brothers, who with Tes One happened to have a design just about ready. “Triumph” features the Greek god Zeus holding a chalice. It covers an entire wall of the house plus the surrounding concrete walls.
“Since Cole is a pilot and also into motorcycles, we thought the mural’s triumphant/win feel to it would be perfect for this family,” says Johnny Vitale. “And Kelly is excited that the next mural on the stairwell will include imagery of a woman.”
Depending upon the amount of detail required, prices start at about $2,000 for a mural. Their next venture will be creating three-dimensional murals and special lighting, “which could be the next big thing,” Vitale says. “And no job is too weird for us.”
All will be pleased to know the SHINE Mural Festival is back on this year for October 15-24. Involved with the festival since Day 1, the Vitales will be busy preparing about 10 walls in the downtown area for mural artists who come from all over the country.
“In a city that celebrates the arts, we were overjoyed to partner with Tes One and the Vitale brothers as they created a stunning installation that integrates modern architecture into a historic neighborhood,” Kelly Brantley says. “We are thrilled with ‘Triumph,’ as it complements all the different angles and dimensions of our home. We are happy to help support the arts here in St. Pete, and look forward to participating in this year’s SHINE Festival tour.”
You can view the Brantleys’ new mural from the back of 2214 2nd Ave. N in St. Pete. For more information about having a mural done for your home or business, contact the Vitale Brothers at (727) 643- 9280 or visit www.vitalebrothers.com.
