Traveling Art Car Show Carmada Parks in Ybor City

A Carmada attendee leaves a dedication on the Nomad Rolling Art studio to her friend who died from fentanyl. His birthday is 2/11. It was one of the many ways people expressed themselves on the public art space.

Carmada is the brainchild of multidisciplinary artist and writer Mitzi Jo Gordon. She is the founder and curator of this project, as well as other traveling art projects. She brought the show to Ybor City on Saturday, showcasing not only the colorful cars but other activities that attendees could participate in. Part of the mission of the Carmada project is to educate the public about the arts and support creative engagement.

Anyone who wanted to could get a tray of paint and create their own art on the big white bus.

One of the favorites was the Nomad Rolling Art studio, a full-size bus where blossoming artists could paint their messages and creations on its white sides. Art on the street was also promoted, providing colorful chalk and stencils, inviting passersby to either freehand their art or use a stencil for more guidance. The one-day show was from 12 to 4 PM.

The Nomad Rolling Art studio was parked in the middle of 7th Avenue in Ybor City

Gordon, who now resides in Washington state, will return with another edition of Camada on March 2 - 3 at the Gasparilla Festival of Arts at Julian B Lane Park in Tampa. That exhibition, featuring 250 artists, it is free to the public.

The colorful creator of Carmada, Mitzi Jo Gordon, in Ybor City on Saturday

Oskar the Bus, a vintage Volkswagon Microbus, was a fan favorite

This 1974 Volkswagon Thing is one of the vehicles on disply during the Carmada traveling art show in Ybbr City