By Hannah J. Farrow, AliveTampaBay Correspondent
Born in Jupiter, Florida, Tara Zanzig moved to Chicago the week before she turned 22. While roaming around the streets, she watched artists create huge murals, bright lettering with intricate designs, faces come to life with a paintbrush. She looked on with amazement. She knew she wanted in.
With a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Zanzig started off small and accepted any offer that came her way. She learned she was a process artist as she worked her way to complete a 25×85 piece titled “Who Do You Love?” in downtown Chicago for Wabash Arts Corridor as part of Big Walls 2016.
A big theme is Zanzig’s work is the idea of a community working and living together: utopia.
“It’s not about the individual piece,” Zanzig said, explaining what it means to be a process artist. “It’s about the experience and process that goes through it.”
Zanzig uses art to make a living, but also to grow, learn, and evolve.
“I seek purpose, meaning, and benefit through my work,” Zanzig said. “My favorite work facilitates connection between people.”
In August 2016, the Tampa Heights Civic Association asked Zanzig to paint a mural for the yellow brick buildings on North Franklin Street that house the Rialto Theatre and surrounding businesses. The result, “Yellow Brick Row,” with its Wizard of Oz theme, has gained Zanzig even more fans.
To find more of Tara’s work, visit her website www.tararchy.com.
Meet the ‘Wiz’ Who Painted the Yellow Brick Row Mural