Rubber ducks are coming to Tampa International Airport as part of new exhibit

Maggie Duffy, Tampa Bay Times
Updated ·2 min read

The next time you go to Tampa International Airport, Phoebe the Flamingo won’t be the only piece of art to take a selfie with. Through a collaboration with art-meets-technology museum Fairgrounds St. Pete, the work of St. Petersburg-based artist Jabari Reed, aka iBOMS, went on display Wednesday and will run through September.

The diorama-style installation called “Joy for All” features rubber ducks and iBOMS’ signature characters and is on display in the airport’s main terminal.

The artwork, which gets its title from Fairground’s tagline of “Art for All, Play for All, Joy for All” is an extension of iBOMS’ full immersive exhibit opening at Fairgrounds St. Pete on May 2.

“Travel can be stressful; Jabari’s artwork will bring smiles and spread kindness to those looking for a quick break along their journey,” said Liz Dimmitt, CEO of Fairgrounds St. Pete, in a news release. “Partnering with Tampa International Airport offers a worldwide stage for this local artist, and this is just a taste of the immersive exhibit and joy-filled initiative visitors can experience at Fairgrounds St. Pete.”

Tampa International Airport has a long-established public art program that includes the 21-foot flamingo sculpture “HOME” by Matthew Mazzotta and more recent installations like Aaron T Stephan’s “Paths Rising,” made up of more than 300 wooden ladders. Last summer, it hosted the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts’ international photo competition. To learn more, visit tampaairport.com.

At just 24 years old, Reed is a local art luminary, known for his characters and themes of his experience as an African American man, materialism, faith and ego. In addition to his work being sold in local galleries, he has a massive mural on Grand Central Brewhouse in St. Petersburg. In 2019, he was the youngest artist at age 19 to be featured in the Tampa Bay Rays art series.

Reed’s installation at Fairgrounds St. Pete is permanent and will be housed in a secret passageway, with iridescent paintings that feature native Florida species, one of his signature characters, a “Grillz Garden” and wordplay, another characteristic of his work.

A corresponding scavenger hunt called Lucky Duck Hunt in which guests try to find rubber ducks around the museum opens May 2. Find and stamp each design for a chance to win a limited-edition iBOMS duck. Reed’s ducks will be available for purchase in the Fairgrounds gift shop, along with his hand-embellished sculptures and more.

In July, there will be a Duck Duck Jeep Market at Fairgrounds St. Pete, in keeping with the national trend of Jeep owners gifting each other rubber ducks as a compliment to their vehicles.

Visit fairgrounds.art for more information.