By Cindy Stovall
a Creative Pinellas Joint
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Pinellas County’s reputation as an arts destination has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past decade – the harvest of seeds sown over many years. As a longtime resident, it’s a bit heady to see the place you call home appear in such coveted countdowns to coolness as Condé Nast Traveler and Forbes Travel Guide – not just for the beaches, but now, increasingly for the arts.
Creative Pinellas, the county’s leader in arts advocacy and innovative programming, has taken the campaign to inform travelers about our premier arts scene to a whole new level.
Beyond the Walls, now in its third year, is an original concept that makes art and culture accessible to all. The idea is to exhibit art – not just in a gallery, not just in a museum – but to bring it to the point of arrival for visitors from all over the world. . . hotels.
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“It is the perfect way to create new partnerships and cultural collaborations between the travel and arts industry,” says Creative Pinellas CEO, Barbara St. Clair. “It’s at the heart of our mission to elevate awareness and interest in the arts to everyone – not just those who are already engaged in the creative community. Our partnership with Visit St. Pete Clearwater is a foundational example of this concept.”
This year’s 12 participating hotels are located throughout Pinellas County, from Clearwater Beach to Dunedin, to downtown St. Pete and beyond. Pairings visual artists with hotels is like pairing a fine wine or craft beer to a great meal. The style and presence of the selected artists – all recipients of Creative Pinellas artist grants, is aligned with the atmosphere and vision of the hoteliers and their teams. And the result is not always what you’d expect.
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For example, The Belleview Inn, a stunning vintage boutique hotel on Bellaire Beach, is a bastion of history and tradition. Seascapes and landscapes, telling its storied past, dot the walls.
Enter the powerful, bright and very modern imagery of graphic artist, Miss Crit. “I admit, I wasn’t sure about whether or not my work was the right fit for the Belleview,” she says. “But it’s such a beautiful place and I was honored to be invited to show my work there, so I was certainly willing to take the shot. When the installation was done – my art on easels descending the great staircase – I was so happy with the result. It really worked.”
“I love the contrast of modern and traditional, and how [Miss Crit’s] art stands out at the Belleview,” says general manager Ted Palmer. “I’m thrilled with the unexpectedness of the pairing and we’re so happy to participate, once again, in Beyond the Walls.”
Of course, natural pairings such as seeing the soul stirring artistic alchemy of Javier Dones seamlessly meld into the elegant surroundings at The Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach – or the mesmerizing, fluid lines of stone sculpture created by Christina Bertsos, exhibited at Wyndham Grand – or the edgy multimedia work of Daniel Barojas filling the ‘garage’ off the lobby at The Post Card Inn on St. Pete Beach. It all just works.
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Then there are the pairings that complete a circle. Last year, surrealist Stephen Kenny exhibited at the Birchwood and Teak properties in downtown St. Pete. He also acted as mentor to one of last year’s emerging artists, Mark Mitchell. This year, it is Mark’s work that adorns those self-same iconic spaces.
This year, BTW is excited to welcome the “Pink Palace,” non other than the Don CeSar – participating for the first time. Brazilian born visual artist, Patricia Derderian brings her international flair to one of Florida’s most famous hotels. “We know our guests will gravitate toward Patricia’s colorful modern landscapes,” says general manager Thomas Fraher.
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Some artists are hosting or already hosted special events and talkbacks at the hotels exhibiting their work. Nathan Beard, whose Exit Music and Pond’s Edge series grace several floors at the historic boutique Hotel Fenway in Dunedin, has several events planned at the picturesque rooftop bar. Abstract artist Angela Warren hosted a virtual “tour” just this week at Hyatt Place in downtown St. Pete.
Having been present at the installations, I can tell you it is a thrill to see hotel guests gush over fresh and different concepts like the whimsical animal collages of Gianna Pergamo, who placed a record 27 pieces of art at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. Two pieces have already sold! “This is so cool!” I heard one little girl exclaim as she came down the hall.
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Hollander Hotel guests are greeted by Don Gialanella’s larger than life metal sculpture of a horse as they enter the lobby. Diners at Springhill Suites in Clearwater get to enjoy the work of another modern metal sculptor, George Retkes. Clyde Smith, general manager at the Bilmar Beach Resort said to me, “Kodi Thompson’s sculpture reminds me of Picasso.” I don’t guess you can get a better compliment.
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Beyond the Walls will continue through December 20 and is part of Arts Annual, Creative Pinellas’ largest annual fundraising event. A visual-art-and-talent-filled weekend reception in mid-November will be the official event that, with your help, produces programs and initiatives like Beyond the Walls, Emerging Artist Grants, Professional Artist Grants, the Arts Business Incubator, grants for arts education and the home of so many great events and exhibits, the Gallery at Creative Pinellas.
Many of the installations have been made into very beautiful films by the talent and force of nature that is Starfruit Productions. You can find those films here.
You can visit creativepinellas.org to learn more about upcoming events including the Arts Annual, or to donate to Creative Pinellas.
