The City of Tampa has added the monumental sculpture “Open House” by Area C Projects to its Public Art Collection, installed at the City Center at Hanna Avenue. Created by Rhode Island-based husband-and-wife team Erik Carlson and Ericka Carpenter, the piece features house silhouettes in vibrant sunset-inspired panels and illuminated street-name inscriptions.
This addition matters because it reflects Tampa’s commitment to integrating public art that celebrates local identity and community growth. The sculpture’s use of familiar street names and Gulf-inspired colors directly engages residents, reinforcing the role of public art in civic pride and urban placemaking.