USPS Publication Number 16300
THE
SUMMATIONWeeklyy
This Community Newspaper is a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
S E RV I N G T H E F I RS T J U D I C I A L C I RC U I T Vol. 25, No. 14
April 2, 2025
SummationWeekly.com
1 Section, 8 Pages
Section A, Page 1
CITY OF PENSACOLA TO LAUNCH NEW
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Hellcat Hangar on Navy Boulevard in Pensacola by Daniela de Castro
By Morgan Cole
T
he City of Pensacola recently announced the establishment of its inaugural Artist in Residence program. Set to launch in late 2025, the Artist in Residence program is an initiative that was designed to support local artists while helping to enrich the city’s cultural landscape. The city has enlisted the help of local business owner, artist and arts advocate Daniela de Castro, who will spearhead the city-based program bringing her artistry, experience and steadfast commitment to helping shape and develop our local artist community. “I am honored to be part of this exciting initiative and look forward
to building a program that will create opportunities for artists who will bring new energy and perspectives to Pensacola,” de Castro said. “This residency will serve as a catalyst for artistic exploration and community engagement, further solidifying the city’s role as a thriving center for the arts.” As a large-scale conceptual artist, de Castro is widely recognized for her vibrant murals, which can be found on buildings and walls throughout the city, including the stunning mural painted on Hellcat Hangar located off Navy Boulevard. De Castro has a prolific career as a large-scale muralist and multimedia artist, as well as a background in program development. She studied classic oil painting as a teenager, graduated with a bach-
Artist Daniela de Castro
elor’s in graphic design in 2019 and began painting murals professionally in 2017. She has painted walls in Spain, Venezuela, England and the United States. In 2024, de Castro expanded her large-scale art business and rebranded as Daniela de Castro Studio. Her studio brings together artists and experts in their field to create conceptual art installations that are closely tied to the brands and the spaces they inhabit. Over the years, de Castro has also worked with numerous local institutions to create dynamic platforms for contemporary artists. De Castro was one of five artists selected to participate in the 2024 Pensacola Mural Fest, which featured a series of five murals painted on
businesses along the Barrancas corridor in downtown Pensacola. The Artist in Residence program will provide selected artists with dedicated space, resources and community engagement opportunities to create and showcase their work. “We are thrilled to launch this program as part of our commitment to strengthening the arts in Pensacola,” Mayor D.C. Reeves said. “Having someone as talented and visionary as Daniela de Castro at the helm ensures that this program will not only support artists but also inspire our community and elevate Pensacola’s reputation as a cultural hub.” The city says the new program aims to foster artistic innovation, connect artists with Pensacola’s diverse communities and institutions,
and highlight the city as a premier destination for creative expression. The new Artist in Residence Program is set to launch later this year, with details on the official application process, selection criteria and residency opportunities to be announced later this year as well. The City of Pensacola has created a video to help introduce members of the community to de Castro, which can be viewed online at bit.ly/AboutdeCastro. To learn more about de Castro and view some of her latest projects, visit danieladecastro.com and follow @danieladecastrostudio on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more about the new Artist in Residence program, visit cityofpensacola.com.■
Outdoor mural at Garden & Grain, downtown Pensacola by Daniela de Castro
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