TAMPA, Fla. — Artwork was vandalized at Perry Harvey Sr. Park and Tampa city officials say that it could take up to a year to repair. Police say either late the night of Oct. 2 or early morning of Oct. 3, someone using a blunt object struck several pieces of artwork in the park. Police are reviewing security footage to try to piece together who did it.

What You Need To Know

  • Artwork depicting Black history in Tampa was vandalized late night of Oct. 2 or early morning of Oct. 3

  • City says it could take a year and six figures to fix 

  • City is working with artist to find solutions

  • Police reviewing security cameras around the area

Fred Hearns is a Black history curator at the Tampa Bay History Center and viewed the damage last Friday afternoon. He was part of a group that helped to get the artwork put in the park eight years ago.

“We tried to include as many important people in the development of Tampa as far as Black people are concerned,” Hearns said.

The art is part of a history walk and was the work of artist Rufus Butler Seder. The images are a walk through the history of Black life in Tampa from the Civil War to the present day.

“It’s like reading several history books when you walk along the sidewalk,” Hearns said.

The city is assessing what to do next and is in touch with the artist. It could take upwards of a year to make repairs and cost six figures.