The Art of Banksy at Morsani Hall at the Straz Center in Tampa

“The Art of Banksy” exhibit now open at the Straz Center in Tampa

By https://muckrack.com/laura-byrne-6 Last Updated
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The world’s largest authenticated collection of Banksy art is now on stage at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa!

The Art of Banksy exhibit will be on display on the Morsani Hall Stage from July 31 through Sept. 27, 2026.

What to Expect  at The Art of Banksy exhibit in Tampa

The Straz is taking advantage of the break between Broadway seasons by bringing a different kind of art to the stage for guests to experience, allowing you to step up on stage and immerse yourself in world-famous art. Last summer, it was the Beyond Van Gogh and Monet exhibit.

Related: The Straz Center announces its 2026-2027 Broadway Season lineup!

Banksy at the Straz Center in Tampa
“The Art of Banksy” at the Straz Center in Tampa.

If you haven’t heard of Banksy, you’ve more than likely seen his political and social satirical graffiti artwork, like the “Girl and Balloon”. The original version popped up on the Waterloo Bridge in London in the early 2000s. You will get to see many other versions of it for yourself, along with the 160 other original pieces by the elusive artist from a privately owned collection.

We spoke with Straz Center president and CEO Greg Holland about the opportunity to bring this exhibit to Tampa. It wasn't just knowing the right people; it was also the right timing.

“Right now we're under construction for an expansion of the Straz, and we're adding 164,000 square feet, and last summer and again this summer we've closed the theater lobbies to do construction, so we thought, how do we use the stages, and we realized we'll bring the audiences through backstage, give them a cool experience with what it's like to be behind the scenes, and then add extraordinary art to that, and it turns out that everyone loves tha,” Holland told us. “This is the next evolutionary step for the Straz Center: this idea of looking at the performing arts, visual arts, providing  access to it, and letting our audiences know it's all for them.”

Banksy at the Straz Center backstage gift shop
You'll also get a chance to walk the backstage area of Morsani Hall. Look up and see the posters and banners for past Broadway performances as you peruse the gift shop!

The exhibit also features unseen works, such as “Mona Lisa,” which actor Brad Pitt purchased from the artist but returned to Banksy in 2022. He has since transformed this piece, and it's now on display for the first time in the United States.

This is a unique opportunity for the family to walk among the work created by one of the most intriguing graffiti artists of our time, the artist who is known, yet no one really knows who he actually is.

You’ll get to see the many different types of art he’s created, from sculptures, canvases, prints, and other unique works.

The Art of Banksy has already been on a worldwide tour, featured in Melbourne, Tel Aviv, Auckland, Toronto, Miami, and ran for two years in London. So it's a big deal that Tampa is finding its place on the tour. We can't wait!

Side Note: If you've been to Park City, Utah, for a ski trip with the family, you may have seen one of his popular graffiti art pieces on the side of Java Cow on Main Street! 

How to get tickets for The Art of Banksy in Tampa

Tickets start at $29.99. There are multiple ticket purchase options, including:

  • Online at www.strazcenter.org
  • In person at the Straz Center Ticket Sales Office
  • Calling 813.229.7827 or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay

There are special rates for students, seniors, military, and children.