A vibrant, Japanese-art-inspired piano now sits in the Centre Gallery at the University of South Florida (USF), bringing music and art together on campus. Titled “Mint Condition,” this piano is the sixth public piece donated by the nonprofit organization Tampa Tunes, according to Kaylee Ayres, programs coordinator for the Center of Student Involvement at USF.
Tampa Tunes aims to install a series of permanent public pianos across the Tampa Bay area, encouraging anyone to play them at any time. The organization already has several pianos placed throughout Ybor City, including one at the live music venue 1920 Ybor.
Ayres shared the philosophy behind Tampa Tunes, stating, “They believe that art is a reflection of the human experience, and they are committed to creating works that inspire, engage, and move our audience.” The USF team is “proud” to host one of these pianos on campus.
The piano found its way to USF after founder Joshua Holton sought a new home for one of his creations, recognizing the university’s significant role in the Tampa Bay community. The artist behind the design, Alyona Garcia-Vianello, is a Tampa local, and Holton felt USF was the perfect setting for her work.
The eye-catching piano features a purple, sparkly lid, a mint green body, and seat, with its standout design element being two yellow and orange tigers with vivid green eyes. The design, according to Garcia-Vianello, blends “the vibrant aesthetics of lowrider culture with the powerful imagery of tigers locked in a dynamic standoff.”
Originally intended to be a temporary installation, “Mint Condition” fit perfectly with the gallery’s “Nature’s Artistry” exhibit. However, after witnessing the enthusiastic response from students playing the piano during the Sept. 16 opening reception, Holton decided to offer the piano as a permanent fixture.
“He was really excited about all the students playing it and how excited everyone else was,” Ayres explained.
Although the piano now has a permanent home at the gallery, it is still available for purchase at $700. Should it be sold, Ayres mentioned that they plan to collaborate with Tampa Tunes to bring another piano to campus.
The opening reception attracted a record crowd of 190 students, with members of USF’s Music Makers club invited to perform on the new piano. One STEM major, in particular, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play, as casual pianists don’t have easy access to pianos on campus. While USF’s School of Music has practice rooms, they are reserved for School of Music students’ rehearsals and practices.
Ayres emphasized the importance of having musical instruments available for all students. “It’s great to still have a method for students to have easy access to musical instruments,” she said.
While the tiger-themed piano blends seamlessly with the current nature exhibit, Ayres is confident that it will continue to complement future displays, including the upcoming LGBTQ+ History Month exhibit. Its ongoing presence aligns with the mission of both Tampa Tunes and USF to promote and support local artists.
“It seems like it matches the mission of Tampa Tunes because both of us are working to promote artist voices and uplift them and give them a platform to share their artistic visions,” Ayres concluded.
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