Arts Council of Hillsborough County invites residents to enjoy local art at County Center rotating installation
Hillsborough County Center's lobby is once again filled with vibrant colors and unique shapes as the County celebrates the second instillation of its youth art exhibit, "Rising Voices: Creative Works by Hillsborough County Youth."
Through March 25, visitors can experience a vibrant collection of student-created sculptures from the 12th Annual Re-Purposed DooDad Sculpture Competition. Featuring entries from elementary, middle, and high school students across Hillsborough County, including public, charter, private, and home schools, the exhibit highlights the creativity and talent of the community's youngest artists.
This year's theme, "Florida: Flying into the Future," challenges students to envision what lies ahead for the Sunshine State. Using repurposed materials such as broken electronics, outdated equipment, and discarded wires, students transformed everyday objects into thought-provoking works of art that reflect innovation, sustainability, and imagination.
The DooDad Sculpture Competition encourages participants to think creatively while promoting environmental awareness. Each piece embodies key 21st Century skills: collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. It also incorporates elements of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) through hands-on design and problem-solving.
The competition is supported in part by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County through the Community Arts Impact Grant program, which is currenly accepting applications for 2026. In fact, the Arts Council has proudly supported the initiative since its inception, helping to foster artistic expression and educational opportunities for local students year after year.
Residents and visitors are invited to stop by the County Center lobby during regular business hours to experience these imaginative works firsthand and celebrate the next generation of creative, artistic thinkers.
For more information about Hillsborough County's public art initiatives, visit HCFL.gov/ArtsCouncil.