San Leon Unveils New Mural Celebrating Florida Wildlife Corridor

San Leon Apartments Completes New Mural to Promote Florida Wildlife Corridor

Lakeview Oak, the developer of the San Leon apartments in historic downtown Sanford, announced the completion of a new large-scale mural on the exterior of the new upscale 10-unit complex at 201 Sanford Avenue. The community art project was started in late September and was completed as the first residents were moving into their new apartments.

The 18x18 foot mural features new artwork commissioned by Lakeview Oak principal Dan Matthews to promote the Florida Wildlife Corridor, which encourages and promotes the protection of 18 million acres of land to prevent damaging fragmentation of wildlife habitats, including the Volusia Conservation Corridor near Sanford. See Species Map and Legend below.

"Lakeview Oak is excited to lead this community art project to visually enhance the new San Leon Apartments and historic downtown Sanford with a strong message of protecting and preserving Florida's precious wildlife," said Matthews.

Florida illustrator and biologist Deanna Derosia of Sealacanth Studios designed the striking artwork featuring the critically endangered Florida panther surrounded by indigenous plants and five butterfly species, including a monarch to represent Sanford's designation as a Monarch City. Derosia's painting team included artists Amy Koehler and Jessica Soriano.

"My creative style is to blend my scientific background into my artwork to create pieces that are accurate and educational, while using the story-telling quality of art to inspire others to take a closer look at their local environments," explains Derosia.

The mural includes a map of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and a QR code which links to more information about the statewide project and the artwork.

To learn more about the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Path of the Panther, visit www.floridawildlifecorridor.org.

Photos courtesy of of Sealacanth Studios