Susan Gott's craftsmanship in the medium of glass will be recognized by the City of Tampa next month when they unveil a the new Zack Street Promenade of the Arts.
Gott, the owner and creator of the , was chosen for the $1.2 million project after she submitted a proposal with the design for a system of mounted glass work. The promenade will extend from Ashley Street to Franklin Street leading to Curtis Hixon Park and will mask an unsightly parking lot along the way.
"I think it's significant in that I'm getting some really great recognition from the city," Gott said. "There will be a system where there is a trellis, then a column of six glass pieces that I've made, then another trellis and another column of glass. I took a lot of time putting together these pieces of Tampa's history, but I don't think I was aware of the significance of the project when I submitted the proposal."
The project was a massive undertaking that has taken over a year's worth of researching topics for the depictions and casting them into glass murals. It will be installed and unveiled prior the the Republican National Convention next month and is the first part of a three stage project to create a pedestrian corridor on Zack Street that will eventually stretch from Ashley Drive to Nebraska Avenue.
The city has discussed the project for years and after uncertainty over whether or not a conclusion to the project would ever be reached, local residents are looking forward to its unveiling.
"It's going to be gorgeous because of its placement it will play with the natural light that shines into downtown," said Robin Nigh, a connoseuir of Gott's work. "It's going to screen a parking lot so it's a nice urban solution to a typical kind of unsightly piece of land. I think people are going to be delighted with it. I buy Susan's work for Christmas and birthday gifts."
Mary Geraci is a friend of Gott's and once filmed Gott blowing glass for a documentary on public access television. She sees the Seminole Heights studio owner as a brilliant artist and is happy to see her gaining recognition from the city.
"She's incredible, from her technique to her vision," Geraci said. "She's a really great artist and it's a joy to watch her work. I've been lucky to film her doing some incredible things and when you look at the beauty of the work she has done here, it's nice to see her being featured like this."
