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'Graffiti Artists' Paint Post Office

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

SUN BAY SOUTH - Elves have visited the Interbay Post Office, leaving holiday cheer in their wake.

Anderson Elementary fourth-graders showed up with paint brushes in hand, creating holiday scenes on the windows. Their paper ornaments drip from the ceiling like icicles and add color to the office's Christmas tree.

"It was a lot of fun," said fourth-grade teacher Marilyn Knecht, who worked with the students for a week creating the paper decorations. "My students were so excited to be painting the post office."

She and friend Loretta Deangelis crafted an outline for the 13 students to follow. It took the fourth-graders about an hour to fill in the stencils Nov. 30.

Designed after the annual holiday stamp - four designs featuring a teddy bear, Christmas tree, reindeer and snowman - the students' ornaments and window art are part of an annual tradition for the U.S. Postal Service.

"Every year we try to get one of the different schools to get involved," said Kent Moyer, customer service manager at Interbay, 4520 W. Oakellar Ave. "It gives children some place to be graffiti artists. We like to get them involved."

Tinker and Mabry elementary schools and Robinson High School also have been guest artists.

Since 2001, post office tours haven't been offered because of heightened security. Moyer said the student project is a way to reach out to the community.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 835-2114 or jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com.

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