Utility boxes aren’t the prettiest things to look at — they’re gray, utilitarian and, at best, hopefully go unnoticed by pedestrians. But downtowns can’t survive without them.

So, if you need them, why not have them look as good as possible?

On Friday, on Southeast 47th Terrace, the South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency hosted an unveiling ceremony for utility box art.

Fifteen works of art by local artists were selected to be on permanent display in South Cape. The artwork can be seen on utility boxes along Southeast 47th Terrace from Coronado Parkway to Southeast 15th Avenue.

Cape Coral Arts Studio Director Julie Gerhard said the CRA invited artists to enhance the downtown area in the form of utility box design by vinyl wrapping the boxes with their art and exposing Cape Coral as an arts destination.

“I hope it brings more attention to the local artists, the local art community and enhances our downtown area,” Gerhard said. “Support your local artists and come to the arts center. We have galleries all the time.”

Linda Biondi, chair of the CRA, said she was excited to see the artwork unveiled in the South Cape.

“It’s going to make our area another destination so not only can people eat, drink and play, but also be able to visit all these wonderful artists,” Biondi said. “We’re hoping this is only the beginning.”

Greg Gebhard, a business owner in the CRA, came up with this idea to bring art to the South Cape. He said the area needs more things like this.

“To see this actually happen is awesome. A lot of projects that were supposed to happen got pushed back by COVID because you couldn’t do as much as you wanted to,” Gebhard said. “This is another attraction of downtown. It takes something that was functional but ugly and turned it into something beautiful.”

In April 2020, the Cape Coral City Council granted permission for the CRA to place artwork in the South Cape. A call to artists was advertised last October, and CRA board members voted on their favorite designs in January.

Scott Lewis was among the artists selected. He said he was surprised when he got the call when his sea turtle art was approved.

“It looks great. It feels great because I love to do it for fun and I’m always a little surprised that people like my work,” Lewis said. “It’s nice reinforcement that it made it on the street in a public gallery.”

Kelly Morrison, who had artwork across the street from the unveiling, also loved the idea.

“This enhances the South Cape. It’s the icing on the cake for the downtown area,” Morrison said as her daughter, Madeline, showed support.

“It’s great to see the city light up in bright colors. When I see this, I want to yell ‘That’s my mom.'” Madeline said.