“Bloom and Become” is a new public mural coming soon to Canned Ham Vintage at 2081 12th Street in Sarasota. The artwork will be painted on the shop’s south-facing wall, which fronts directly onto 12th Street, making the mural visible to visitors and neighbors traveling through the Park East area. Installation is planned for early August.
The mural is part of the City’s Call for Walls program, which brings artist‑designed public art to highly visible buildings throughout the City of Sarasota. For this project, the property owner has been an active partner from the beginning, helping prepare the wall for the artwork and supporting the project by providing the new gradient background that will enhance the final design.
About the Mural
“Bloom and Become” draws inspiration from the migration of monarch butterflies, whose long journeys symbolize resilience, transformation, and community movement. The mural uses bright colors and flowing forms to echo Sarasota’s open skies, shifting light, and coastal atmosphere. As the monarchs appear to travel across the building’s five filled-in window panels, the artwork creates a sense of motion along the 12th Street corridor.
The design invites viewers to pause, look closely, and enjoy a moment of color within the everyday landscape. By uniting several different wall sections into one continuous composition, the mural adds new visual energy to the exterior of Canned Ham Vintage while complementing the character of the historic building.
About the Artist
Annie Dong is a Florida‑based muralist and painter whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and community connection. Her murals often feature bold color palettes, nature-inspired imagery, and layered storytelling elements that encourage viewers to engage more closely with public spaces.
Annie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Psychology from New College of Florida and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Painting at Cranbrook Academy of Art. Her work can be found at universities, community centers, and neighborhoods throughout Florida, where she focuses on creating warm, inclusive, and uplifting environments.