Behind the Murals: Jenée Priebe on the Real Business of Public Art and Life After SHINE
Public art is woven into the very DNA of Tampa Bay, but have you ever stopped to think about what actually goes on behind the scenes to make those massive, vibrant murals a reality?
In the latest episode of the Tampa Bay Arts Passport Podcast, host Avery Anderson sits down with public art powerhouse Jenée Priebe. As the founder of No Good Deed Arts and the former Executive Director of the SHINE Mural Festival, Jenée has spent years spearheading the visual landscape of our region. In this candid conversation, she pulls back the curtain on her transition to full-time consulting, the gritty logistics of the mural industry, and her brilliant new vision for the Pinellas Trail.
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🛑 Finding Balance After SHINE
For years, Jenée’s entire calendar revolved around the massive undertaking of the SHINE Mural Festival every October. Making the leap to launch her own practice, No Good Deed Arts, was a major transition—and a highly rewarding one.
"It's been a big transition because I never, honestly, never thought I would be a business owner," Jenée shares. "But it's also been really nice to just, like, rest and feel like I don't have to be as involved in all the things... to slow the pace of my life and have my calendar back."
The shift has allowed her to prioritize life boundaries, enjoy flexibility with her two kids, and focus deeply on intentional, impactful regional projects.
🏗️ The Gritty Reality of the Mural Business
To the casual observer, a mural happens when a business owner decides they want some art and hires an artist. But Jenée breaks down the extensive workflow that actually goes into a single wall:
- The Long Timeline: Public-facing projects through cities or counties involve extensive calls for artists, review committees, and selection panels that can easily take up to a year.
- Intense Logistics: From ordering expensive lifts and securing power or water access to coordinating multi-round design revisions, the administrative side is a massive undertaking.
- The Florida Elements: Weather dictates everything. Painting from May through October in the brutal Florida heat is highly avoided, meaning planning right now is actually gearing up for November and December installations.
Most importantly, Jenée targets the outdated concept of paying artists in "exposure". Public artists are highly trained, skilled professionals—akin to electricians or carpenters—who deserve equitable compensation for their livelihood. This is exactly why Jenée loves stepping in as an "artist interpreter," bridging the gap to translate business needs for property owners while fiercely protecting the value of the artist.
🚲 What's Next? The Pinellas Trail Art Corridor
Though she is staying busy with upcoming projects—including managing maintenance for the City of Tampa's permanent public art collection and bringing new murals to Orlando—Jenée has her sights set on a massive evolution for St. Pete.
She recently presented a visionary concept to the Florida Greenways and Trails committee to transform St. Pete's portion of the Pinellas Trail into a world-class public art corridor. Modeled after iconic urban projects like the New York High Line and the Atlanta BeltLine, this initiative would turn our rail-to-trail path into an elevated, accessible fine-art destination filled with permanent sculptures, temporary installations, and mosaics.
🎧 Tune In to the Full Episode
Want to hear Jenée's incredible origin story as a volunteering stay-at-home mom, or learn more about her upcoming city projects?
Head over to your favorite streaming platform to listen to the full episode of the Tampa Bay Arts Passport Podcast. And remember: the next time you snap a photo with a beautiful local mural, make sure to tag, credit, and celebrate the artist!