By Kurt Loft. “If I’m authentic on the stage, with the music I do, the way I sing, how I present myself – the audience, no matter their background, will connect with what I’m giving them,” says Ona Kirei. “I try to focus on that everywhere I go and I always feel the warmth of the audience, and it’s the best feeling ever.” Kirei believes people need that “best feeling” in large doses today because of the anxiety from COVID, mass shootings and so much political division. “Art always plays one of the biggest roles in difficult times… 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 Andrea Assaf. At Water’s Edge / Al filo del agua is a bilingual, interactive, theatre and dance performance, with storytelling and live music, created by three women from different generations and different geographic locations—one in the United States, the other in Mexico, and the third at the edge of the two. Stories, legends and acts of resistance intertwine as their lives intersect…. 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 Jake-ann Jones. Erica Sutherlin, who is making herstory as the first Black woman director at American Stage, has brought together a panel to discuss Amiri Baraka, the man behind the upcoming play Dutchman. The evening’s presentation, “Through the Lens: Amiri Baraka, the man behind the words,” is the first in a three-evening series of talks in the free “Beneath the Surface” conversations on the play. The next discussion, “The Forbidden Fruit: exploring the themes in Dutchman” will be held Tuesday, June 14 at … 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
By Cindy Stovall. “What we’re doing is creating a space that’s accessible for people with developmental or other disabilities to express themselves through an exploration of the arts,” Creative Clay CEO Kim Dohrman says. “And the art that our member artists create is valued and embraced by this wonderful St. Petersburg community. When someone attends Spring for the Arts, they actually get to see our mission in action.”… Read More
