Fort Myers Finishes Massive River Basin Mural Project

The final eight murals now stand on river basin supports by the Luminary Hotel. These works complete a striking 53-piece outdoor display that shows Fort Myers' past since 1850.

This three-year effort faced setbacks. Hurricane Ian struck in 2022, damaging seven supports. Workers repaired these during the summer before adding the last art pieces.

Thirty-eight artists from the area made these works on mural cloth. They stuck each piece to cut-out sections with strong glue that fights off water and sun.

Visitors can pull up the Otocast app to hear stories and see the old photos that shaped the art. It tells tales of the city's bond with the Caloosahatchee River and shares facts about who made each piece.

Fresh works include Jacqueline Virtue's The Recreation Pier, which shows a grand 450-foot structure from 1913, where music filled the air while people danced. In another piece, Ava Roeder painted Promenade on the Royal Palm Hotel Pier, with guests walking along an 800-foot pier.

Pat Collins brought two scenes to life — one shows Tootie McGregor Terry as she pounds in the first seawall post back in 1908. The other captures Flossie Hill, who ran a shop called The Ladies Trading Place.

The latest installations include more city moments. There's the Royal Palm Hotel's big day in 1898 by Jacqueline Virtue, a huge tarpon catch by Victor Dotres, and the old Coca-Cola plant from 1911 by Diane Lady Light Tormey. Carolyn Gora painted two men in their boat, based on an old shot from Ken Rager's files.

Next up, the team wants to start phase two. They plan to paint four more supports on Edwards Drive, showing Manuel A. Gonzalez, Harvie Heitman, Tootie McGregor, and Dr. Ella Mae Piper.