St. Petersburg’s public art scene is getting a meaningful boost this September with the restoration of Ed Ross’s “Untitled Ceramic Wall” at Campbell Park. Installed in 1996, the ceramic mural has long served as a vivid tribute to the people and moments that shaped the city’s civil rights history, local pride and community identity. Its central figures, including David Isolm and Earnest Fillyau, represent pivotal civil rights actions, while other elements honor local sports heroes and community leaders devoted to youth and unity.
The mural also carries a powerful family motif, symbolizing unbreakable bonds and the shared legacy that connects generations. At the work’s conclusion stands Eugene Mclin, looking back on the history he helped shape and reinforcing the mural’s message of progress and remembrance.
The restoration was completed by Art Conservator Coderre Conservation, whose careful work has returned the piece to public view in renewed condition. City officials are encouraging residents and visitors to see the mural in person at Campbell Park, 601 14th St. S., and experience how public art can preserve history while strengthening community pride. In a city known for its vibrant arts culture, the restored ceramic wall stands as both an artwork and a reminder that legacy lives on in shared public spaces.