Marlys Meckler is a docent who gives tours full of stories at the Salvador Dalí Museum, the Chihuly Museum and The James Museum, as well as Mural Tours for Florida CraftArt and tours of St. Pete’s Public Art.
Marlys talks with Barbara St. Clair about the work she does – how Public Art is chosen and the stories behind many of the striking artworks that residents of St. Pete don’t always notice as they go about their day.
She became an expert by getting involved and volunteering after she retired, and by talking with the artists who work here. Listening to her stories will send you out exploring.
Check out the links below for opportunities to find out more, and directions to many of Marlys Meckler’s favorite Public Art pieces.
Arts In is produced by Sheila Cowley.
Executive Producer, Barbara St. Clair for Creative Pinellas.
Docent Tours and Volunteer Opportunities
THE DALI MUSEUM
Salvador Dalí Museum Docent Tours
thedali.org/visit/tours
Dalí Museum Volunteer Opportunities
thedali.org/join-and-give/get-involved/become-volunteer
Dalí Docent Training Program
thedali.org/join-and-give/get-involved/become-docent
FLORIDA CRAFTART
Florida CraftArt Walking Mural Tours
floridacraftart.org/product/mural-tours
Florida CraftArt Mural Tours by Bike
floridacraftart.org/product/mural-tours-bike
Florida CraftArt Volunteer Opportunities
floridacraftart.org/volunteer
THE JAMES MUSEUM
The James Museum Docent Tours
thejamesmuseum.org/plan-your-visit (scroll down the page)
James Museum Volunteer Opportunities
https://thejamesmuseum.org/support/ (scroll down the page)
THE CHIHULY COLLECTION
Chihuly Museum Docent Tours
moreanartscenter.org/chihuly/group-tours
Chihuly Museum / Morean Arts Center Volunteer Opportunities
moreanartscenter.org/volunteer
Public Art Pieces Mentioned in this Conversation
SHINE Mural Festival
stpeteartsalliance.org/shine-mural-festival
St Pete Arts Alliance Descriptive Mural Tour
stpeteartsalliance.org/shine-mural-festival
It Heals Up
by Robert Rosenquist
Corner of 4th St S and 6th Ave S
cam.usf.edu/PA/Pages/pa_rosenquist.html
Thrill Hill
by Kevin Brady
The Old Southeast Neighborhood Bridge at 3rd St S and 18th Ave S
a neighborhood partnership with matching grants
thrill-hill.blogspot.com
Security Lizard Catching Fireflies
by Paul Eppling
On the roof of the City of St Pete Maintenance Building
1800 7th Ave N – visible on the 5th Ave N northbound entrance to I-275
allthingsruffnerian.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-ingenious-sculptures-of-paul-eppling
Human Sundial “Vista Point”
by Eric Higgs
17th and Northshore Dr N
erichiggs.com
Heroes of St Pete Police
1st Ave to the water
Poem by George Hahn
built by corporate and individual sponsors
Millennium Gateway
by Alex Klahn
Walkway between the Sundial parking garage and Sundial Center
2nd Ave N between 2nd and 1st Streets N
Spun metal birds and animals
Fossil Wall
by Michelle Tuegel and Russ Gustafson
6635 Dr. ML King Jr St N
Imprints of actual fossils found in this neighborhood
visitstpeteclearwater.com/profile/willis-s-johns-recreation-center-fossil-park/2260
Dignity
by Kyu Yamamato
North Shore Fire Station 4
2501 4th St N
stpete.org/arts_and_culture/art_collections
Find more Public Art in St. Petersburg at
stpete.org/arts_and_culture/art_collections
