Florida CraftArt

January 24 – March 7, 2019

Inside the World of Public Art

Curated by Ann Wykell

Public art is a reflection of how we see the world – the artist’s response to our time and place combined with our own sense of who we are. Association for Public Art

This exhibit displays the exuberant spirit and creative diversity of public art that enhances the cultural life of our community. Eight artists whose monumental work in the Tampa Bay area engages traditional craft media are profiled, along with their smaller fine craft studio work.

Programming for anyone who would like to understand public art better includes lectures by artists and a studio tour. The project continues throughout the year with educational programs for artists interested in pursuing public art commissions.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
January 24, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Meet the artists and curator at the opening reception.
February 4, 6 p.m. Mark Aeling discusses his journey into Public Art.
February 11, 5:30–7 p.m.The Art of Healing,” performances on Tolerance and Acceptance.  (Sponsored by Massey Law Group)
More Info
February 19, 6 p.m. Catherine Woods talks on the process and drama of Public Art.
February 22, 1–4 p.m. Artist Studio Tours $15 for FCA and AARP members, $25 for nonmembers. This is a trolley tour, pick up and drop off from FCA
Join a tour!
March 7, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. “Taking the Leap: From Studio Artist to Public Artist” $35 FCA members price. $50 for nonmembers (Scholarships are available):
Conceived and Presented by Elayna Toby Singer
This workshop is for artists or anyone interested in knowing more about the process of public art. Elayna Toby Singer will present a diverse range of public art project types and the range of roles artists play in creating public art projects and an overview of the public art commissioning process, along with tips for how artists can be successful in responding to the Call to Artists, Concept Proposal Development, Design Development, Fabrication, Installation, and more. Additionally, Elayna Toby presents strategies to help studio artists prepare their portfolio for taking the leap to public art and outline three strategic next steps they each need to take based on where they are on the studio-public art continuum, to advance their priorities and steps along their path.
Sign up now!

Want to see Public Art on your own?

Here are some suggestions

Public Art in Downtown St. Pete

  • Look out the front door of Florida CraftArt, you will see the only mural on the street out of 520 throughout Saint Petersburg.
  • Walk down Central Avenue, find a six-foot iron horse on 6th Street block or the enchanted mangrove forest on 4th Street N at the Municipal Services Center and even more.
  • Visit the County Court House on 5th Street and 2nd Avenue N. to see the red chairs called “Face the Juror.”
  •  Look at Traffic Signal boxes throughout downtown, sponsored by OZK Bank and painted by local artists.
  • Take the Looper and look all around during the 40-minute ride. Almost every park has public art throughout. Get off at the Salvador Dali Museum to see their geodesic glass bubble known as the “enigma.”
  • Ride the Trolleys for Second Saturday Artwalk and visit any one of the 40-plus venues in artful spaces for the public to view free.
  • Take the PSTA Suncoast Trolley along Gulf Blvd. and go to Johns Pass Village. At the boardwalk look for the copper memorial, “Fisherman Lost at Sea,” or search for a HUGE alligator on ceiling.
  • Pay attention as you drive through any of the six arts districts: Waterfront, Central, Edge, Grand Central, Deuces and Warehouse.
  • Download the phone application Pixelstix to see and hear about 40 murals from the SHINE mural festivals. www.stpeteartsalliance.org/explore
  • Walk around the Mall at Sundial, pose for pictures at the water fountain with dolphins or across the street at the Millennium Gateway.
  • Walk along the waterfront park between the Dali and the Vinoy look for Birds on Beach, eight small copper birdies at random locations.
  • Travel through the artist enclave of Historic Kenwood to find painted benches in Seminole Park, banners on the light polls along 1st Avenue N. and 16 ornamental finials on top of their Historic Kenwood street signs.
  • Keep your eyes peeled for colorful 6-foot tall dolphins along the acclaimed Dolphin Trail covering Pinellas County. All designed by local artists using such elements as glass, ceramic, fiber art, and decoupage.  https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/profile/clearwater-dolphins-trail/463

Touring

Public Art Indoors

  • Restaurants like 400 Beach, The Lure, Ichicoro, Cassis, Red Mesa and many more have public art pieces as do many of the 41 craft beer venues in Pinellas County. In addition, the Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater Beach has more pieces of Mark Aeling’s artwork.
  • Go to St. Petersburg Museum of History to see the replica of the Benoit plane which was the first commercial flight from St. Petersburg to Tampa.

Websites Resources

Download a Public Art Resources PDF

Sponsors: AARP Tampa Bay, City of St. Petersburg, Creative Pinellas, Duke Energy, Kathryn Howd and Edward Rucks, J. Crayton Pruitt Family Foundation, Massey Law Group, David and Becky Ramsey, State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs

View the full Press Release

AARP Presenting Sponsor

Duke Energy Florida CraftArt Sponsor    

 

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