Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Thai-Chinese makes up Bangkok’s largest diaspora.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
7 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
7 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
8 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
9 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Florida Tampa Hong Kong Willie

Hong Kong Willie

This funky outdoor gallery in Florida is filled with whimsical recycled art installations.

Tampa, Florida

Added By
Katie Bush
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Hong Kong Willie   KatieBush / Atlas Obscura User
Hong Kong Willie   KatieBush / Atlas Obscura User
Hong Kong Willie   KatieBush / Atlas Obscura User
Hong Kong Willie   KatieBush / Atlas Obscura User
Hong Kong Willie   KatieBush / Atlas Obscura User
The Funky Outdoor Gallery In Florida Where You’ll Find Whimsical Recycled Art Installations   farmerjay43 / Atlas Obscura User
To Live a life in the art world and be so blessed to make a social impact. Artists are to give back, talent is to tell a story, to make change. Reuse is a life experience   hongkongwillie / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Sitting along I-75 in Tampa, Florida is a squat bait shop that looks like it may have been dragged up from the bottom of the ocean for all of the fishing buoys wrapped on and around it, but this is actually Hong Kong Willie, a fishing business turned preservationist art center. 

The found object art that adorns the bait shop is almost exclusively created from detritus and found items. Brown see this reuse not just as an opportunity but as a responsibility, turning his environmental morals towards his artwork. 

The most striking piece is likely the tall "tree" made of strings of disused fishing buoys. This theme is carried over to the house as well which features more strings of buoys along the walls accented by signs, life preservers, and assorted other artfully placed pieces. There is even an out of commission helicopter on the grounds which is also covered in netting and painted a bright orange. 

Visitors and passersby will likely remember Hong Kong Willie for its cacophonous art pieces but locals generally seem to know the shop more for having the best composting worms around.  

 

Related Tags

Art Outsider Art Shops

Know Before You Go

Near a Bob Evans and the highway

Community Contributors

Added By

KatieBush

Edited By

hongkongwillie, Collector of Experiences, farmerjay43

  • hongkongwillie
  • Collector of Experiences
  • farmerjay43

Published

June 16, 2014

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://familydestinationsguide.com/florida-outdoor-funky-gallery/
  • https://hongkongwillie.blogspot.com/2021/08/famous-key-west-artist.html
  • https://patch.com/florida/newtampa/the-story-behind-the-eye-catching-art-at-i-75-exit
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/25893
  • http://hongkongwillie.blogspot.com/
  • http://hongkongwillie.blogspot.com/2016/06/famous-florida-artist-updated-6182016.html
  • http://hongkongwillie.blogspot.com/2020/11/famous-key-west-reuse-artist.html
Hong Kong Willie
East Fletcher Avenue
Tampa, Florida, 33637
United States
28.069308, -82.360613
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Two-Headed Gator of Seminole Heights

Tampa, Florida

miles away

J.C. Newman Cigar Factory

Tampa, Florida

miles away

La Segunda Central Bakery

Tampa, Florida

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tampa

Tampa

Florida

Places 27
Stories 3

Nearby Places

Two-Headed Gator of Seminole Heights

Tampa, Florida

miles away

J.C. Newman Cigar Factory

Tampa, Florida

miles away

La Segunda Central Bakery

Tampa, Florida

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tampa

Tampa

Florida

Places 27
Stories 3

Related Stories and Lists

In Tampa, a Wonderful World of Junk

roadside attractions

By Eric Grundhauser

Related Places

  • Gene Frankel Theater

    New York, New York

    'Dreams of Hyperion'

    A unique collection of figures perform down the facade of the Gene Frankel Theatre.

  • Kyoto, Japan

    Chaos Room

    A nondescript building is home to a one-room museum filled with an overwhelming array of art and objects.

  • The north side is a wonder to behold.

    Seattle, Washington

    Wall of Misfit Art

    A mesmerizing amount of crazy art is attached to the side of this house on Seattle's Phinney Ridge, bringing smiles to those who venture down the driveway to take a look.

  • The Glowquarium

    Grapevine, Texas

    The Real Unreal

    Fall through a crack in the seams of reality at this immersive art installation.

  • Working in progress in the wood shop

    Bluefield, West Virginia

    Gary Bowling's House of Art

    A once-abandoned school building converted into a fantastical multi-level art installation and haven for Appalachian artists.

  • Monument to the Unknown Child

    Arnhem, Netherlands

    Monument to the Unknown Child

    Cycling around the Veluwe visitors are treated to a collection of stones from around the world.

  • 'In-the-Loop'

    Des Moines, Iowa

    'In-the-Loop'

    A unique work of outsider art sourced from scrap metals and signifies conservation.

  • 'A. Lincoln'

    Battle Creek, Michigan

    'A. Lincoln'

    A massive portrait of Abraham Lincoln created with approximately 24,500 pennies.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.