March 16-17
Free
Kenwood Artist Enclave, St Pete
Details here
Two of the 2024 Creative Pinellas Emerging Artists live in the St. Pete neighborhood of Historic Kenwood – David McCauley and myself. Other current and former neighbors have also been recipients of Creative Pinellas grants and fellowships, including Amy Wolf, Andee Scott and Steven Kenny.
Kenwood is a charming neighborhood filled with small bungalow homes and colorful gardens. It’s also a designated Artist Enclave, with a high percentage of artists working out of their modest homes.
Historic Kenwood is located west of downtown St. Pete – between Central Avenue and 9th Ave N – and between I-275 (19th Street mostly) and 34th Street.
Every year during the 3rd weekend of March, we open our home studios and backyards to the public to look behind the scenes of the creative process, mingle with fellow art lovers, enjoy performances and purchase hyper-local art. And that Kenwood Artist Studio Tour is happening THIS weekend – March 16 & 17.
What is the Artist Enclave of Historic Kenwood?
The Artist Enclave of Historic Kenwood (AEHK) was created in 2014 when the St. Petersburg, Florida City Council approved Historic Kenwood to become an Artist Enclave Overlay District (AEOD) with specific guidelines to follow.
The main benefits that come with the designation of an artist enclave overlay district are
- permission to conduct artist business from the home (mainly, teach and sell)
- large-scale public events
- being part of an artist community
Currently, the only other artist enclave overlay district in St. Petersburg is the Old Southeast neighborhood. I don’t know of any such districts elsewhere in Pinellas County or in Florida.
To utilize the district overlay’s perks, to build community, learn from each other, and to facilitate events and outreach, Kenwood artists formed the Artist Enclave of Historic Kenwood membership organization (AEHK) that functions under the umbrella of the Kenwood Neighborhood Association. We currently have around 70 artist members who all live in our neighborhood.
Besides the Kenwood Artist Studio Tour in March, our other major event is Winter in the ‘Wood, which is a one-day winter festival featuring local visual artists, makers, vendors, food trucks and performers. That event is co-organized by the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association and has taken place on the Sunday before Christmas the last two years.
Other events have included exhibits at public venues in Kenwood, mainly Creative Grape and Kenwood Gables.
On a personal note
Since 2021, I was involved in managing the public face of our group, organized past Artist Studio Tours, and finally became the group’s chair.
Last summer, I stepped down so I could focus more on my own artwork, which gave me the space to imagine and create what I have cooking for the Creative Pinellas Emerging Artist exhibit in May. If you come to my “Creative Lab” next weekend, I’ll give you an exclusive sneak peek of that project.
I’m proud to be part of the Kenwood Artist Enclave – and I know I wouldn’t be “out” as an artist if I hadn’t moved to Kenwood and joined.
I’m grateful for those who set up and managed the organization before me – and grateful for those who have taken over since. I’m also very proud of what we and I accomplished during my tenure. I don’t know why it’s so much easier to feel proud of work I did for a group and with others than of my own individual creations. I’m also relieved that I’ve stepped down and don’t carry the responsibility anymore.
Instead I can focus mainly on making art and showing it to you. . .
Kenwood Artist Studio Tour
March 16 & 17, 2024
The Kenwood Artist Studio Tour is a free 2-day event that is open to the public. The tour through the historic neighborhood of bungalows is self-guided and can be done by foot or car or bicycle.
Throughout Historic Kenwood, more than 30 artists will present their artwork at 22 stops (home studios and art businesses) and let you get a glimpse of their creative process.
You will experience a variety of work ranging from emerging artists to internationally-recognized professionals – from visual artists to musical performers.
You can check out a map with all the stops on the Kenwood Artist Enclave website right now – or pick up a collectable press-printed map during the event at any stop and at Craftsman House Gallery, Sugar Cream Clay and Woodfield Fine Art Gallery.
I hope you come visit me during the Artist Studio Tour and let me know if you found out about it through this artist story.
At my home (aka The Burlinsky) you will not only see my photography, film and mixed media work, but also the fine wood creations of my husband Scott Solary (aka Man Glitter Studio) and get to hear the music of Deb Ruby. And there will be drinks and snacks and butterflies, birds and blooms. . .
Photos of 2023 Kenwood Artist
Enclave Studio Tour taken
by Cole Brungart
