Downtown Beautification

Art connects us to each other. The arts helps to develop relationships and strengthens a community's character. Art brings people together both physically and culturally. We are proud and honored to be the canvas for our talented community members. Downtown LaBelle is growing into an artful public space to share stories that inspire others and form connections.
Please join us in taking in the beauty that is Downtown LaBelle.

The Good of the Hive Mural

Matt Willey with the co-founder of LDRC, Shellie Johnson standing in front of a honeycomb mural

Sign describing the history and artistic nature of the mural

Section of the mural thanking individuals for their support

Mural of children carrying honey and running among bees and flowers

Child holding a wheelbarrow filled with honey

A ladder leaning against the wall of the mural

Earlier stage of painting where the characters are an outline rather than fully painted

Early stage of mural where several key features are missing

Ladder leaning against wall of the mural

Ladder leaning against early version of mural with fewer honeycombs

Matt Willey standing on a ladder painting a section of the mural

Scaffolding standing near the mural along with painting supplies

Very early version of mural where only a few details are present

A single bee from the mural, without additional details nearby

Early version of the bee, where it appears only as an outline

Matt Willey preparing to be photographed in front of the completed mural

A group of people standing together in front of the completed mural

The completed mural with the sun behind it

Matt Willey has brought original, one-of-a-kind beauty to walls of homes and businesses throughout the US. By combining the abilities of designer, scenic artist and painter, this skilled visionary literally spins line, tone, atmosphere, and now bees, from the bristles of his brush. His current project The ‘Good of the Hive’ is both visual art and performance in that the murals are as much about using his life to create change as it is about what he paints. The Harold P. Curtis Honey Co. was fortunate to be the first location for Willey’s ‘Good of The Hive’ project. He created bees 1-16 right here in Downtown LaBelle.

Artful Friend to LaBelle

Marco Ruiz standing with artwork of a black cow — Marco Ruiz

Marco has graciously gifted Downtown LaBelle with several murals. He is a talented, self-taught artist from Miami and we are blessed that he has chosen LaBelle to be his second home.

White baby goat looking at a piece of art created by Marco Ruiz — One of our favorite pieces from Marco’s Gallery 101 collection.

Caloosa Belle

This interactive mural features LaBelle’s very own Oak Wings!

LDRC Office

This is the first mural that Marco created for Downtown LaBelle. It is at the LDRC office located at 8 Park Avenue. The mural is the backdrop for our Community Board sharing all the happenings of LaBelle.

American Flag

Marco Ruiz created this mural in 2017 in honor of Red, White & Tunes - the 4th of July Celebration that LDRC hosts annually. This has become a favorite of the community!

Marcos Ruiz with his painting, "The Emperor", Peoples Choice Award. Painting is a chicken in front of a green background — Marcos Ruiz with his painting, "The Emperor", Peoples Choice Award

Julian Keen Mural

Artists Caesar Aguilar and Brian Weaver created a mural in honor of Julian Keen of LaBelle as a tribute to the fallen officer. FWC Officer Keen was shot and killed when he tried to stop a hit-and-run suspect. Since his murder, LaBelle has created a scholarship in Keen’s name, offered donations to his family, and now unveiled artwork along Fort Thompson Avenue.
Keen is gone but not forgotten.

Mural of Julian Keen

A group of people stands in front of Julian Keen's memorial mural

Artist working on the mural

Artists working on the mural

Artist stands on a lift to reach a higher section of the mural

Two people pose for a photograph in front of the mural

CenturyLink Fabric Fence

CenturyLink added fence fabric to the Fort Thompson Avenue location, serving as a visual barrier to the facility’s industrial nature. LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation (LDRC) would like to express that we appreciate and admire CenturyLink’s phenomenal efforts to improve the appearance of Downtown LaBelle. We are impressed by the CenturyLink staff’s willingness to work with LDRC.

The open communication and professionalism have been very encouraging to our revitalization endeavors.

As a nonprofit organization, we have always made it a point to make every project we undertake a great success. CenturyLink has helped achieve our vision, and we ask you to join us in thanking them for going that extra mile for us.

A beige fabric fence in the parking lot of the CenturyLink facility, blocking the industrial view from the street

Girl Power

Sydney Roper posing with one of her art pieces — Sydney Roper, Muse Pottery

Wife, mom of six, artist, and maker. She enjoys time with her family and working on projects at home including gardening, pottery, cheesemaking, weaving, and spinning.

Public bench with a blue dragon breathing fire painted on the seat — Dragons in Downtown!

Danika & Sydney breathed new life into a cracked bench at Barron Library. This wonderful piece is a favorite of passersby.

Muse Pottery

Sydney created adorable magnets in honor of November’s Downtown Live Free Street Concert theme Bee Thankful.

Muse Pottery

Sydney, owner of Muse Pottery, creates custom ornaments for LaBelle.

Saran Wrap Project

Sydney & Danika had a joint project at Harold P. Curtis Honey Co to celebrate Women’s Month.

Downtown Live Interactive Art

Nothing is more fun that black light art while you are dancing in the streets! This was another collaborative project of Sydney & Danika.

Found Art is the Best Art

Whimsical creations can be found in Downtown LaBelle!

Danika Fornear posing in front of white background — Danika Fornear

Danika’s work makes meaningful use of the color spectrum alone with anarchic painting techniques- her subject matter includes the many places and people with whom she has found deep connections from around the world.

“Old Betsy”

Red 1953 Ford fire truck in front of trees

Text on back of fire truck reading "1953 Ford, Old Betsy"

Old Betsy Fire Truck parked on a concrete display with four cones on each corner around it

An idea sparked with Greg Bone, former LDRC board member, to bring LaBelle’s old fire truck back ‘home’ to Downtown LaBelle. That spark turned into a community-wide movement and we are proud to say with the help of many, ‘Old Betsy’ is now featured prominently back home on Bridge Street.

This 1953 Ford Engine 56 V.F. D. Fire Truck promotes and preserves the history, culture and architecture of the LaBelle Downtown District.

This would not have been possible without the help and persistence of Greg Bone and the following individuals and businesses: Ramiro Rodriquez with Hendry County Parks & Recreation, Kirrillos Welding, Sue WIlliams, Synovus Bank, Firehouse Community Theatre, Rose Williams, Heartland Registry, Hendry County, Hendry County Tourism, City of LaBelle & LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation.

Joy in Sculptures

Statue of two children reading a book — “Enchanting”
Located at Barron Library.
Funding was made possible through a generous donation to LDRC.

Statue of a boy holding a small dog — “First Love”
Located on the corner of Main Street & Park Avenue.
Generously donated by Maya Interpreters of LaBelle.

Statue of two children playing, with one child jumping over the other — “Playful”
Located at Barron Park
Funding was made possible through a generous donation to LDRC.

The beauty of these sculptures was captured by the talented Kathy Lee Shoaf. We thank her for sharing her craft with all of us.

This particular sculpture was a community effort. During our 2019 Wharf Walk fundraiser it was up for live auction donations. We would like to give a huge thank you to everyone that was involved in making this sculpture a reality in our downtown district. Thank you to Karson Turner, Rick Pope, Ellen Ferguson, Dave & Linda Lyons, Maya Interpreters, Blue Ribbon Homebuilders, Greg Bone, First Bank, Tuesday Tritt, Quality Electric, Micah Mims, Lyons Printing, Diane Walker, Keitha Daniels, Sheriff Steve Whidden, Mary Cosmo and, last but not least, Judy Martinez with Head to Paws Pet Grooming.

Statue of a young boy throwing a bone for a medium-sized dog — “Best Friends”
Located at Head to Paws Pet Grooming.

Firehouse Community Theatre

Firehouse Community Theatre is staffed with 100% volunteers for almost 30 years of entertainment! The theatre is located in Downtown LaBelle and provides a true community theatre experience in our area. Walk down memory lane with thrilling images of performances that were staffed 100% by volunteers from our community!

Actors performing a Christmas-themed play

Exterior of the Firehouse Community Theatre

Actors performing on stage at the Firehouse Community Theatre

Barron Park House Gallery & Gift Shop

Barron Park House Gallery & Gift Shop exhibits oil, watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media paintings, sculptures, and photos. Artwork is rotated monthly. Classes available!