23 Bradenton millennials highlight Realize Bradenton's public art project

BRADENTON -- Until the end of September, downtown Bradenton buildings will be the canvas for a Realize Bradenton "See Me, Hear Me," public art project featuring 23 Bradenton-area millennials as part of the agency's ongoing "PopUps for a Purpose" project.

Photographer Dieter Tamson took the portraits that will be displayed on the windows of the Bradenton Herald, 1111 Third Ave. W; Manatee Chamber of Commerce, 222 10th St. W.; Manatee County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W.; and at the downtown Bradenton offices of Fawley Bryant Architects, 1001 Manatee Ave. W.

Realize Bradenton Community Engagement Coordinator Catherine Ferrer said the project is a thought-provoking display and the community will be able to see the portraits and then visit Realize Bradenton's website at realizebradenton.com to read about the millennials in the photos. Ferrer said it was the millennial movement in Manatee County that came up with the idea.

"We interviewed several millennials who attended our PopUps for a Purpose events," said Ferrer. "What emerged from those interviews were stories that challenge the notion of a generation that is unattached to place."

Studies show that millennials care more about where they work and live than what they do for a career and the millennials featured in the project tell why they have such a strong connection to the Bradenton area. Officials, businesses and community members have taken note of the millennial movement and as the Manatee County workforce ages, understand the need to attract the next generation.

The project is funded by a grant that came with being named a winner in the 2015 Knight Foundation's Cities Challenge.

Realize Bradenton is at the forefront of that effort with allies that include local municipalities, the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp., Manatee Chamber of Commerce and the Manatee Young Professionals. Realize Bradenton's award-winning PopUps for a Purpose project is designed to create connection among millennials in innovative ways, as well as to bridge the generational gap. Six events have taken place since October that have temporarily transformed outdoor areas of the city into event venues. Past events include Plaza Cubana at the South Florida Museum, Books, Bots and Bites at the Central Library, Market Meetup at the Bradenton Farmer's Market, PopUp Lounge at Pickin' Picnic and Shuffle at the Shuffleboard Park off 14th Street West.

"Bringing people together is a major strategy of Realize Bradenton," said Executive Director Johnette Isham. "Through PopUps for a Purpose, we're simply narrowing our focus by finding innovative ways to strengthen local connections amongst the largest and most demographically diverse generation, because when people connect with each other in new places, the social capital of a community grows, vibrancy builds and lasting economic development goes forward."

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published May 13, 2016 at 5:07 PM with the headline "23 Bradenton millennials highlight Realize Bradenton's public art project ."