A new art initiative is taking shape in Zephyrhills, one that aims to capture the city’s beauty and highlight its place within Pasco County’s cultural story. Local artist Abraham Albadawi is
leading the Zephyrhills Art Heritage Project, a creative effort designed to celebrate the city’s small-town roots and lasting sense of pride.
Rather than focusing on growth or change, Albadawi’s approach looks inward — toward the familiar sights, calm atmosphere, and people that make Zephyrhills unique. Two Impressionist-style oil paintings form the center of the project: “Pure Water,” which reflects the quiet strength of the city’s springs, and “Founders’ Day, Zephyrhills,” which portrays the energy and color of the annual heritage festival.
Albadawi said the project began as a simple idea — to see his community represented through art. “I kept hearing people say there’s no artwork that really shows Zephyrhills,” he said. “So I thought, why not create it myself?” Beyond local pride, the project also aims to spread Zephyrhills’ image throughout greater Pasco County as a form of cultural diplomacy, showing how art can connect small communities to the larger regional story.
The completed oil paintings are expected later this year, and talks are underway about where they might be displayed — possibly in a public building or community space.
For Albadawi, that visibility matters. “Art belongs to everyone,” he said. “If it can make someone pause and feel proud of where they live, even for a moment, then it’s worth it.”
