By Kurt Loft. “I benefited greatly from the music-arts programs at Tampa’s Blake High, and education is very important to me,” jazz saxophonist Eric Darius explains. “I’m an advocate for music in the schools and I want to help keep it alive. It’s important to me to expose kids to jazz, encourage them to follow their dreams and inspire them to play musical instruments.”… Read More
By Robin O’Dell. Each year the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts empowers students and teaches critical thinking through photography. They celebrates the work done by these students with an exhibition of almost 500 photographs in the Community Gallery at the Museum, with highlights available online. This allows us a thrilling insight into the mind and experiences of a child…. Read More
By Gabrielle Reeder. St. Pete City Theatre hosts junior summer productions to promote the passion for live theatre and introduce children to the importance of the arts. On July 15, the organization graced the stage with a group of talented kids between the ages of seven and 14 for Seussical Jr. – illuminating Dr. Seuss’s work and entertaining an audience of over 200…. Read More
By Tom Winchester. The DMG School Project brings the art of glass to students who don’t otherwise have access to this art by offering demonstrations and workshops on-site at local schools. This project is funded, in part, by the Pinellas County Recovers Grant that’s awarded by Creative Pinellas through the National Endowment for the Arts’ American Rescue Plan. The DMG School Project helps to put the power of creativity into the hands of the next generation…. Read More
By Fanni Green. University of South Florida Theatre professor, actor, director and writer Fanni Green talks with USF English professor, author, spoken word and visual artist Dr. Gary Lemons about his focus this month as our guest editor – Community Healing through Artistic Transformation. As Gary explains, “We must change people’s lives to believe we all have the right to be creative.” Listen here… Read More
By Pamela Joy Trow. I was awarded an NEA grant from Creative Pinellas for a project encompassing my poem, Scanned Electron Microscope images and a message about the unseen world of water pollution. With the focus on engaging both children and adults in Pinellas County, the project vehicle is a coloring book to educate and provide solutions to achieving clean water…. Read More
By Suzanne Norman. Summer breezes from the shores of Indian Rocks Beach stir tree leaves by the shady doorstep of the Beach Art Center. A relaxed vibe welcomes visitors as they enter through a gift shop with local artists’ works. The center has a treasure chest of art activities for young minds and other age groups to entice their creative spirits. Established in 1978, the center has a history that supports the cultural needs of the community. It is vibrant today thanks to volunteers, a variety of local funds, grants and philanthropic sources…. Read More
The Morean Arts Center wanted to see what glass artist Dale Chihuly’s impact is on artists who work in other mediums. They selected 10 area muralists, painters, installation artists, ceramicists and more – and asked each to select a piece from the Chihuly Collection they admire, and create a work of art ‘inspired by’ that particular piece…. Read More
As part of our June Arts and Healing focus with guest editor Gary Lemons, we asked a range of artists the questions that Gary proposed. What is your concept of an art “community” for building creative alliances with individuals across different identities? What are your thoughts about art as a creating form of inner healing and well-being? As ever, we got a beautiful and moving array of responses for you to explore…. Read More
By Carlene Cobb. The 9th Annual Champions for ACT Breakfast at St. Petersburg Pier was an inspired success. Performances by Arts Conservatory for Teens students and alumni rocked the appreciative audience with music, singing, dancing, acting, spoken word and inspired energy…. Read More
