The Artisan Magazine - Jan-Feb 2024 by KEM Media Group, LLC

ART • MUSIC • LITERATURE • PERFORMANCE • CUISINE • FASHION • DESIGN

Florida's West Coast Bimonthly

THE ARTISAN

January February 2024

MAGAZINE

Dalí The Museum and The Man

"Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision." - Salvador Dalí, Declaration, 1929 The Artisan Magazine

January/February 2024

TAPROOT An exhibition featuring ceramic vessels, and mixed media works by

BABETTE HERSCHBERGER On view January 12 - March 1, 2024

2 January/February 2024

SHOP ONLINE: www.ar ticlesstpete.com

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VISIT: 1234 DR MLK JR ST N | ST PETE

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January/February 2024

The Poetry of Paint

P.O. Box 791, St. Petersburg, FL 33731 www.TheArtisanMagazine.com

813-842-3818 info@TheArtisanMagazine.com

An Art Exhibition of the work of

D. YaeL Kelley and Robert Jeffrey

CONTRIBUTORS

OPENING RECEPTION:

Friday, January 12th, 2024 from 5 to 9 pm

EXHIBIT DATES:

Keith Matter

D. YaeL Kelley

Friday, January 12th, 2024 through Saturday, March 2nd.

30 new abstract expressionist paintings to unveil

Gallery DirectorGallery Director - Soft Water Gallery. Extensive experience in magazine production, branding/identity, copy writing, production of marketing collateral, and art direction.

Edward Craig

Kerry Kriseman

Writer. Volunteer Gardener/Docent at Sunken Gardens. Studied at Indiana University.

Robert Jeffrey

John Curtis/Mary Khosh St Pete arts supporters from Westminister Shores

Presenting 12 new watercolor paintings

... t a y l n

St. Petersburg, Florida 727-254-6981 www.woodfieldfineart.com woodfieldfineart@gmail.com 4 January/February 2024

Maureen McDole

Poet, Writer and Speaker. Founder/Executive Director of Keep St. Pete Lit, Poet

Susana Darwin

Carol Dekker

Carol Dekkers is a certified Cicerone at level 1 (Beer Server), is the owner of Curated Craft Experiences, LLC.

Alissa Sotelo

Susana is a lifelong political activist and filmmaker who spent decades in Chicago developing cat-herding skills in educational and reference publishing and the law.

MFA Creative Writing Student | Graduate Teaching Assistant University of South Florida | Department of English

Malory Speir

Bob Devin Jones

Hal Freedman

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JOBS IN THE ARTS

Author and accidental First Lady

Writer and editor. She’s been an editor for print and digital publications for more than a decade. She’s written and edited content about health, food, travel, and arts/entertainment.

Founder, retiring Producing Artistic Director at studio @620

SCAN ME

A multifaceted poetic talent & cuisine afficianado

A FEW OF OUR "PARTNERS":

Plus, see the work of 34 other local artists in our main gallery!

2323 Central Avenue

Lisa Lippincott

Artisan Magazine Publisher/Editor Writer/Photographer

Open til 9pm for ArtWalk The Artisan Magazine is published every other month and is distributed to more than 300 businesses and street boxes throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough and Sarasota Counties. Submit articles, photos, events and news to: info@TheArtisanMagazine.com.

©2024 The Artisan Magazine. All rights reserved. The views expressed within are not necessarily those of the Publisher. Editorial submissions are welcome. Publisher reserves the right to reject or edit submissions for length and clarity. The Publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions. The Artisan Magazine reserves the right to reject or edit advertisements. The Artisan Magazine is not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space.

The Artisan Magazine

CONTENTS 8

COVER 12-17 DalÍ

Sentimental Colloquy, 1944, oil and india ink on canvas. Worldwide rights ©Salvador Dalí. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí (Artists Rights Society), 2017 / In the USA ©Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc. St. Petersburg, FL 2017.

Culinary Arts - Cassis

By Hal Freedman

10 art in harmony - James Suggs By Edward Craig

18 pERFormance art - Daniel Johnson By Malory Speir

20 CRAFTy - ART IN THE wood - Randy Colbath By Keith Matter

22 crafty quaffing - Beer Cicerone By Carol Dekkers

24 LITERATURE - Poetry & Prose By Maureen McDole

28 Indigo Jones - 12 Days By Bob Devin Jones

29 PERSONAL NARRATIVES By Kerry Kriseman

SPOTLIGHT - Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

By GFA

30 ELDER ART - Bob Jeffrey

MARCH 2-3 JULIAN B. LANE RIVERFRONT PARK

“ART ENABLES US TO FIND OURSELVES AND LOSE OURSELVES AT THE SAME TIME.” -Thomas Merton Find yourself immersed in two days of fine art, food, music, and merrymaking. 250+ fine artists, 14 emerging artists, Remote Artists Studios, more than a dozen musical performances, and much more at one of America’s most prestigious juried art festivals.

By Mary Knosh & John Curtis

32 COMING SOON - Celtic Woman RG

By Mahaffey Theater

“RI

DE Y

OU R W AY ” BY KARINA

LLE

35 The Artist Registry The Artisan Magazine

January/February 2024

Cold War’s Comforts 48” x 36” Ready to make its debut along with several new works at Woodfield Fine Art on October 13th

Works in permanent collections of: The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art Daytona Museum of Arts and Sciences Florida Gulfcoast Museum of Art American Embassy, Madrid, Spain

Closed Closed Sundays

LanceRodgersArt.com 6 January/February 2024

The Artisan Magazine

January/February 2024

THE ART OF CUISINE

Cassis Restaurant and Cassis Market

By Hal Freedman

Longevity with Quality

estaurants come and go in St. Petersburg, but Cassis American Brasserie has been a constant in Downtown St. Petersburg since 2010. The owner, Phillipe Berriot, came from the Philadelphia fine-dining restaurant, Le Bec Fin. He brought along Jeremy Duclut to be Executive Chef and Christophe Guillot to be front-of-house Manager. Both Jeremy and Christophe have moved on to open their own local restaurants. Trevor Lyman, formerly the Sous Chef, is currently Executive Chef…and doing a damn good job. The menu has changed significantly, and the change is positive. Phillipe’s vision for Cassis was a classic French Brasserie with an American twist. Luckily, Phillipe was then married to Lisa Wannemacher, lead architect at Wannemacher Jensen, one of St. Peterburg’s leading architectural firms. Lisa was able to design Cassis to realize Phillipe’s vision. The tile floors, high ceilings, wood finishes, and sidewalk café tables and umbrellas, all make you feel like you are in Paris. As an aside, having a drink at one of the outdoor café tables makes for some of the best people-watching in Town! Before we get to the food, let’s vis8 January/February 2024

it the kitchen. At significant expense, Phillipe & Lisa designed and built one of the finest restaurant kitchens in Tampa Bay. Stainless steel forever, an interior recirculating filtration system to avoid sending kitchen exhaust into the outdoors, the recent addition of a four-tier Italian pizza oven (more about that later), a dedicated kitchen staff, several of whom have been at Cassis since it opened. It is extremely well maintained and kept as clean as possible for a working kitchen. All that’s nice, but you can’t eat ambiance. So, you ask, how’s the food & service? In a word: Terrific! The bar & bartenders are also among our favorites. And, Cassis’ happy hour is arguably the best in town… my go-to, a slightly dirty martini with cheesestuffed olives, is $6.50 for a generous pour. The food! For Starters, my favorites are Yellowfin Tuna Tartar, raw ahi tuna and avocado cubes with a spicy habañero aioli and house-made chips, and House-Smoked Fish Spread, served with lots of spiced, homemade Lavash. It’s hard to go wrong with the starters. The Calamari, Steak Tartar, and Mussels have all been excellent, when we wanted a change. The same The Artisan Magazine

2901 Beach Blvd. South, Gulfport, FL BrendaMcMahonGallery.com

Ceramics • Painting • Jewelry • Glass January Artist of the Month Kimberly Engel: Contemporary Abstract Paintings. can be said for the salads. My favorite is the house-cured Smoked Salmon Salad, but the Beet Salad and Watermelon Salad are a good choice, if smoked salmon isn’t your thing. As for entrees, the Maple Leaf Duck Breast is hard to beat. It’s tender & juicy and cooked perfectly. The cherry reduction is sweet, but not too sweet. But you can turn to several other main dishes without feeling like you’re settling. The Bouillabaisse, which we or-

for house-baked items like croissants, scones, muffins, French macaroons, and more. Full cafè coffee/espresso service and gelato are also available. They also serve excellent salads and sandwiches that are made-to-order. But the star of the show at the Market, and on the new restaurant menu, is the PIZZA from the newly-arrived pizza oven. I recently had a tour of the kitchen and met Matthew, the pizza chef. The 14” pies are cooked more slowly

"Cassis’ happy hour is arguably the best in town… my go-to, a slightly dirty martini with cheese-stuffed olives, is $6.50 for a generous pour." dered and brought home during the pandemic, the Bar Steak Frites, the Cassis Burger…we’ve never been disappointed. However, my new favorite: the Pasta Fruit de Mer… as good to eat as it is beautiful to look at! Clams, Mussels, perfectly cooked large shrimp, in a sauce that’s almost a cream broth. I tried it for the first time recently and will have it again soon. The sides are also interesting, with the standout being the Mac & Cheese. An ample bowl of pasta with lots of cheese and a baked cheese top, to which you can add bacon, jalapeños, and/or hunks of lobster meat. I often order this, fully loaded, with my happy hour Martini. It’s enough as a “light” dinner before or after a movie at Sundial. Attached to the restaurant is Cassis Market (formerly Cassis Bakery)

Artist Opening during Gulfport Art Walk: January 5th 6-9pm Musical Guest: Cerulean Songbird

February Artist of the Month Jim Kammerud: Intimate Connections. Oil on Canvas Artist Opening during Gulfport Art Walk: February 2nd, 6-9pm

and at lower temperature than in many other restaurants. It takes about 22 minutes for the pie to bake and rest, but, boy, it’s worth the wait. I’ve tried Goat In My Garden (with fresh goat cheese) and Lombardy Party, both of which were winners. Mathew also made my wife and me a custom pie, ½ without cheese, to accommodate my wife’s allergy. The crust is made with Cassis’ own sourdough yeast; cheese is brought all the way to the edge, so the edge is crisp. A Steller pie! After 13 years, Cassis is still putting out great food, changing things up, adding a whole new category (Pizza), and offering a wonderful dining experience. • 170 Beach Drive NE St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Musical Guest: Dean Johansen

Ongoing exhibition Brenda McMahon: Ceramics

Open 7 days a week. E VISIT US ONLINE Q @brendamcmahongallery or call us

727.454.0453

The Artisan Magazine

January/February 2024

MUSIC

St. Petersburg's Musical

RENAISSANCE MAN Trumpeter James Suggs - a Community Treasure By Edward Craig

Listen:

Nave Camaleón Quartet // St. James Infirmary Blues

ou could be almost anywhere in St. Petersburg these days and spot local musician and music educator extraordinaire James Suggs doing his thing. During this past holiday season he was like the jazz version of Elf on a Shelf. You might see him performing at specialty concerts in Old Northeast at The Palladium, or downtown at the Ale and Witch, or in Grand Central at Studio Public House on Central, or teaching trumpet at St. Pete College, or leading student jazz ensembles at USF. You might bump into him across the bay at nightclubs in Tampa, or even down in Naples, where he supports featured headliner musicians from places like New York City once a month for their “Artis Naples” series. Even more improbably, you might be dozing off in a church pew on Sunday morning only to be awakened by the sweet sound of his golden trumpet, as he sometimes makes guest appearances performing sacred music in area churches. He seems to be everywhere all at once, and every place he goes, in every season, people enjoy his rich, brassy sound, his fresh jazz improvisation, his handsome face, and his ebullient personality. James, like so many of us, is not originally from Florida. He was born in Roch-

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ester, NY and raised in Harrisburg, PA. He took up the trumpet at age 9—not out of a love of music so much as to sit next to a friend in the horn section--then had a life-changing event attending a Wynton Marsalis concert as a youngster. He asked to meet the legendary performer and Pulitzer Prize-winning educator during the intermission and was somehow granted a private audience with him. They talked and talked about the instrument, with Marsalis giving his own trumpet to young James to play, and hands being placed on diaphragms to feel subtle variations in breathing, until Suggs understood what the great man was trying to teach him, and handlers had to whisk Marsalis back onto the stage to finish the show. By the time the impromptu private lesson was finally finished James had become a true jazz trumpet aficionado and has been one ever since. After that his maturation as a musician took on a new and loftier arc. At the tender age of sixteen, James was selected to tour through Europe with The Continental Singers, a contemporary Christian group, accumulating passport stamps in Switzerland, Germany, and Holland. Then, as a junior at Youngstown State University in Ohio, he was chosen to perform with a jazz combo making appearances at

music conservatories in Beijing, China. Among his other early accomplishments, he performed on Norwegian and Royal Caribbean Cruise ships for several years in his early 20s, had stints with the famed Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras, and followed that up with eight years playing, teaching, and touring in and around Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he also became a fluent Spanish speaker. He has obviously seen a lot already at 43 years of age, having performed alongside big-name jazz stars like Kenny Burrell, Jason Marsalis (younger brother of Wynton), Wycliffe Gordon, and Chuck Mangione in famous clubs everywhere from New York to San Francisco to London. But he particularly liked what he saw here in St. Petersburg and decided to give it a long look. He sniffed out local jam sessions and got to know the local jazz community playing in places like Ruby’s Elixir on Thursdays and The Hangar on Mondays. Getting involved in the local academic scene also enlarged his footprint. In 2015 he was named Best of the Bay’s “Best Jazz Transplant,” and in 2018 he received his master’s degree in jazz performance from USF School of Music. St. Petersburg became his permanent home, to such a degree that his parents followed him here and aren’t hard to spot

The Artisan Magazine

cheering him on wherever he plays. When asked about the state of the jazz community here in St. Pete, James, like many of us, admitted to some concern about music venues being lost to high commercial rents, and buildings with sentimental (if not historical) significance being torn down willy-nilly and replaced by shiny skyscrapers. But he nonetheless remains optimistic about the local music scene in general, and in particular about the quality of local talent. Steady gigs beloved by local jazz fanatics like his Sunday series at the now defunct Independent on Central have been replaced by others like Sola Bistro on St. Pete Beach every other Wednesday. And as for the performance level, he remarks, “I love it when friends from New York City or Chicago come here and can hardly believe the caliber of musicians in the area. It makes me proud to be a part of it.” One thing is certain, so long as Suggs remains involved in the local jazz scene it will be vibrant and entertaining. Best of all, through his work at USF School of Music he is doing us all the favor of training his own eventual replacements. But that’s a story for another day. For now, let’s all treasure our good fortune in having an artist of his rare quality calling our home his home. •

On View Carlton Ward Jr: Path of the Panther

December 7 - March 17, 2024 1630 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa

813.221.2222

www.fmopa.org Carlton Ward Jr, Survivor, 2019

BLACK & WHITE - January

VALENTWE’EN - Febuary

Women’s Caucus for art examines the metaphorical concepts of opposites.

Images of dark love inspired by Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart.

10 Fifth Street N. DTSP, upstairs from Florida CraftArt

5 pm - 9 pm Come On Up!

Open for Second Saturday Art Walks

www.theartlofts.com

MEMBER BENEFITS 1. Discounted ticket pricing for classes, concerts, movies, and shows. 2. Access to quarterly Member Social events. 3. Call to Artists: art submissions for the gallery exhibitions. 4. Participating in Second Saturday ARtWalk through tent space rentals or the WADA member store. The Artisan Magazine

January/February 2024 11

COVERSTORY

The Dalí Museum Fuses Art and Technology for a Global Audience Art lovers from around the world visit The DalÍ and in turn experience the numerous and diverse array of the Tampa Bay area's local art scene. It is the backbone of a body of work turning the world’s eyes towards the area.

By Lisa Lippincott

THE MUSEUM

hether you’re a Dalí enthusiast, Dalí-curious, or you’re merely in the mood to dilly-Dalí, The Dalí Museum is worth a visit (or many). A worldclass destination that has been awarded three stars in Michelin’s Green Guide; the museum pulls a truly global audience. Home to the largest collection of Dalí’s work to be found anywhere outside his native country, it was founded in 1982 with a huge bequest of art and reference materials from longtime Dalí friends and avid collectors A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. The couple, whose Ohio-based collection had grown to immense proportions, had been shopping it around to donate for some time when the 12 January/February 2024

push began to bring it to St Petersburg. The stipulation that the collection be maintained in its entirety dissuaded many institutions, but the local boosters were both enthusiastic and unfazed by this requirement, with one reportedly saying (according to a 1982 article in the New York Times) ''It's the greatest gift to the City of St. Petersburg since sunshine.'' To house the windfall collection, at the time comprising over 1300 works and reportedly valued at an estimated thirty-five million dollars, the Florida state legislature contributed an appropriation in the princely sum of two-million-dollars, which was, up to that point, the largest sum the state had ever committed The Artisan Magazine

to an arts-related purpose. The new museum took shape in a completely re-imagined marine warehouse a pebble’s toss from Tampa Bay, and for a time it served its purpose. But the museum’s mission and need for space was expanding, and the low-lying waterfront location proved worrisome in the long term. The collection came under threat each time a significant storm approached, and the process of de-installing and moving the work into a protective vault each time posed significant risks in itself. Opened in 2011, the current building, a stalwart 60,000-squarefoot art fortress whose 18-inch-thick concrete walls were engineered to resist a category 5 storm, it is a

Meliton Casals Portrait of Dalí, 1951 Collection of The Dalí Museum, St Petersburg, FL (USA); Dalí Museum purchase 1986.12 © Meli Casals; Image Rights of Salvador Dalí reserved. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Figueres, 2023.

Archeological Reminiscence of Millet's Angelus, c.1934, oil on panel, Worldwide rights ©Salvador Dalí. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí (Artists Rights Society), 2023.

work of art in itself. Designed by Yann Weymouth, the blocky structure is broken up by a vitreous geodesic bubble called “The Enigma” (a nod to the dome atop the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres) that appears to squeeze out through the building like caged glass. Experiencing the actual scale of famous artworks can be both fascinating and surprising, and the Dalí holds many such surprises. Some of the artist’s most recognizable works, including The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory (a later and similarly-sized companion piece to The Persistence of Memory) are not much larger than a piece of writing paper, while others are immense. The Hallucinogenic Toreador,

for example, measures almost twice the height of an average NBA player. In addition to the lure of the celebrated and voluminous permanent collection (which currently stands at more than 2,400 works) the museum continues to expand its offerings with high profile special exhibitions and cutting-edge, award-winning technological innovations. Currently on view is Dalí & the Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Degas & More which highlights the strong influence these artists had on Dalí’s early works, and the recent technology-driven rollout, Dalí Alive 360, an immersive Dalí experience that takes place inside a sixty-foot-tall planThe Artisan Magazine

etarium-like projection dome. This optional add-on requires timed entry and an additional Fifteen-dollar fee. Once inside, guests can either sit, stand, lie on the floor or walk around. The forty-ish minute extravaganza envelops the visitor in a psychedelic, dreamlike sequence of animated paintings interspersed with quotes and biographical nuggets that help to put both art and artist into better context for visitors. If you opt out of the 360 experience, regular museum admission still gets you plenty of tech-forward bang for your buck. You can’t scroll through a news feed these days without encountering something about AI possibly bringing about the end of the January/February 2024 13

Unknown photographer Dalí & the Morses at Chateau Madrid, 1954 Collection of The Dalí Museum, St Petersburg, FL (USA) Image Rights of Salvador Dalí reserved. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Figueres, 2023.

world, but the Dalí hired a tech team to use a benign form of AI to bring an interactive facsimile of Dalí to life years ago. Dalí Lives, which opened in mid-2019, was built by feeding frames from archival footage of Dalí as well as the artist’s own words into a machine learning program in order to resurrect the artist into an eccentric, life-sized Catalonian chatbot. Dalí’s avatar can be summoned via a doorbell on each of several digital kiosks. The one stationed at the museum’s exit offers to take a selfie with guests that they can presumably later use to confuse people on Instagram. It should come as no surprise that the museum has a smartphone app, which isn’t novel in itself, but many viewers are sure to enjoy the augmented reality animations that are tied to particular pieces within the collection. Dreams of Dalí, introduced in 2016, is a virtual reality experience that inserts the visitor into a surreal landscape where columns of ants and spidery-legged elephants dwell. As I waited my turn in line, a captivating senior lady named Cheryl-Ann giggled with childlike delight while she took her turn in the one of the three stations, looking left and right and then tilting her head up, up, up to gaze at invisible elephant underbellies.

THE MAN

The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory, 1952-54, oil on canvas. Worldwide rights ©Salvador Dalí. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí (Artists Rights Society), 2017 / In the USA ©Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc. St. Petersburg, FL 2017.

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The Artisan Magazine

Dalí the man was both a complex, creative genius and a complicated individual plagued by sexual phobias, avarice, and narcissism. Conceived very shortly after the death of his older brother (also named Salvador) who died at less than two years of age, his parents took him to the gravesite and explained to him that he was the reincarnation of their first son. The future artist was only five years old at the time, and this unusual bit of information, and the notion of being a “replacement” haunted him throughout his life. Showing extraordinary talent as an artist from a very young age, he was enrolled in art school. Never one to suffer from an excess of humility, he was ultimately expelled for refusing his oral exams, claiming the faculty was unqualified to examine him. It’s possible he was correct, but his outsized ego later proved to be something of a double-edged sword. The discovery of Andre Breton’s surrealist manifesto and the works of Sigmund Freud and his theories of the subconscious in the mid-1920s fueled a potent new direction in Dalí’s work--work that is generally seen by critics and art historians to be the most important of his lengthy career. Initially welcomed by the Paris surrealists and celebrated for the groundbreaking contribution of his “paranoi-

The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, 1958-59, oil on canvas, Worldwide rights ©Salvador Dalí. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí (Artists Rights Society), 2023; Photo © Doug Sperling and David Deranian, 2021.

Paul Facchetti Salvador Dalí, 1951 Collection of The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg, FL (USA); Dalí Museum purchase 2000.29 © Paul Facchetti; Image Rights of Salvador Dalí reserved. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Figueres, 2023.

The Artisan Magazine

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ac-critical method” whereby the artist would naturally induce hallucinogenic states in order to access irrational imagery from the recesses of his mind, he was later criticized by a possibly-jealous Breton for being money-hungry, expelled over accusations of fascist sympathies, and his method denounced. Ironically, Dalí both was and is the artist most-closely-associated with the surrealist movement. In 1929, while still in the surrealist circle, Dalí met Gala, whose importance in his life cannot be overstated. Then married to celebrated poet Paul Éluard and nearly ten years Dalí’s senior, the free-spirited Russian matron and the young Spaniard shared an instant attraction, and Gala left her plush Parisian apartment, her husband and their daughter to take up with the relatively penniless young artist. Though in his questionably accurate 1942 autobiography Dalí claimed that upon their first meeting he had an impulse to murder her, she became his muse, his wife, his collaborator, and his business manager, and Dalí became wholly dependent upon his relationship with her. It was a strange and sometimes fraught union that lasted until her death at the age of 82. She was said to be an unrelenting promoter of her husband and his art, and may have helped cultivate, or at least certainly encouraged, his trademark flamboyant persona that aided mightily in keeping him in the public eye. The eccentric behavior, the cape, the cane, and the familiar mustache had become part of an indispensable brand, one that, for a time, threatened to completely overshadow his work. Always open to experimentation, new media, and new avenues for fame and success, Dalí made forays into film, jewelry, fashion and set design, collaborating with Luis Brunel, Alfred Hitchcock, Elsa Schiaparelli, Walt Disney, and others. As such, Dalí has left an indelible mark on the culture of the 20th century. His reputation as a self-promoter, his eagerness to explore the unknown, and his lifelong interest in science speak to the notion that he would absolutely love what St Petersburg’s The Dalí Museum has become. And with an incredible 60,000-squarefoot, $68-million expansion on the horizon, the museum is on track to become an even greater attraction and a grander tribute to the brilliant Spanish artist with an undeniable flair for calculated madness that survived him even in death. Exhumed in 2017 nearly 30 years after his passing to settle a paternity claim (which proved false-Dalí had no children) the attendant forensic physician who had embalmed Dalí decades before noted with apparent delight that a “miracle” had occurred, and that Dalí’s mustache was, in fact, in perfect condition. •

Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea which at Twenty Meters Becomes the Portrait of Abraham Lincoln-Homage to Rothko (Second Version), 1976, oil on canvas. Worldwide rights ©Salvador Dalí. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí (Artists Rights Society), 2017 / In the USA ©Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc. St. Petersburg, FL 2017.

The Basket of Bread, 1926, oil on panel. Worldwide rights ©Salvador Dalí. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí (Artists Rights Society), 2017 / In the USA ©Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc. St. Petersburg, FL 2017.

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Meliton Casals Dalí in the Rambla with Grecian urn, 1962 Collection of The Dalí Museum, St Petersburg, FL (USA); Dalí Museum purchase 1986.9 © Meli Casals; Image Rights of Salvador Dalí reserved. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Figueres, 2023. Daddy Longlegs of the Evening – Hope !, 1940, oil on canvas. Worldwide rights ©Salvador Dalí. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí (Artists Rights Society), 2017 / In the USA ©Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc. St. Petersburg, FL 2017.

The Artisan Magazine

January/February 2024 17

Profiles In Performance

By Malory Speir

Daniel Johnson w/ Olivia Parsley- Photo by Amy Smith

Daniel Johnson - Ballet

n last October’s issue of The Artisan, I told you about the history of St. Petersburg’s The Academy of Ballet Arts and its co-founder, Suzanne Pomerantzeff or “Ms. P.” Now, let’s take a look at a professional dancer who not only attended the Academy as a kid, but has been a ballet instructor there for seven years. A Gibbs High School graduate and longtime St. Pete resident, Daniel Johnson performed with ballet studios throughout the eastern U.S. for years before finding his way back to his home community and the studio that started it all. He is the director of the men’s division and the instructor for pas de deux (partnering) classes and boys’ classes at the Academy. Daniel got his start with dance at the age of 8 years old when he came from football practice to

18 January/February 2024

pick up his brother from a Russian character dance class at the Academy. He was interested because the dancers were doing “a bunch of cool tricks,” Daniel recalled. Ms. P noticed Daniel’s interest and asked him if he would like to join the class. He loved it, so she told him he needed to take a ballet class. Though he was reluctant at first, Ms. P was convinced he had something special and provided him with a full scholarship to join the Academy. “I didn’t like it for five years,” Daniel explained. “Not until I studied at Miami City Ballet, where I got to see Edward Villella’s dancers perform.” By around 12 years old, Daniel realized that dancing was what he wanted to do with his life, so he began to take it more seriously. He studied at Boston Ballet and Orlando Ballet and later attended The Boston Conservatory on a The Artisan Magazine

full scholarship, graduating in 2012 with a degree in dance. He then moved to New York City and joined the Nai Ni Chen Dance Company, where he danced for two years. They performed a style of modern contemporary dance mixed with martial arts and tai chi. After finding out he was going to be a father, Daniel decided to relocate to Asheville, North Carolina, where The Asheville Ballet’s artistic director Ann Dunn took him under her wing. Daniel later returned to Florida where Ms. P welcomed him with open arms as a ballet instructor at The Academy of Ballet Arts. He’s been teaching there ever since. When asked what his favorite thing about teaching is, Daniel replied, “giving back to the community and seeing the young artist grow every year as an artist. I couldn’t ask for more!” •

T I C K E T S AT M Y PA L L A D I U M . O R G O R 7 2 7 - 8 2 2 - 3 5 9 0

Palladium Chamber Series

Daniel Johnson w/daughter Izabella Johnson

2023-24 SEASON

JAN 17

The Chamber Players: Schumann & Brahms

FEB 7

Vaughan Williams Piano Quintet

MAR 27

Mozart & Dvorak Viola Quintets

MAY 1

The Mile-End Trio

BUY TICKETS

W E D N E S DAY, JA N . 1 7

R. SCHUMANN: Märchenbilder, Op. 113 C. SCHUMANN: Three Romances, Op. 22 R. SCHUMANN: Adagio and Allegro in A-flat Major, Op. 70 BRAHMS:

Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25

W E D N E S DAY, F E B . 7

BEETHOVEN:

Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 1, No. 1

PROKOFIEV:

Sonata in C Major for Cello and Piano, Op. 119

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Daniel Johnson w/ Olivia Parsley- Photo by Amy Smith

Piano Quintet in C minor, Op. 25

253 FIFTH AVENUE N, ST. PETERSBURG, FL • MYPALLADIUM.ORG

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January/February 2024 19

SCULPTURE

Randy Colbath Studio 521 @ 4 Gats Gallery

ART IN THE WOOD

"...a free flow of ideas generates a result with a totally unique character."

andy Colbath is a sculptor who works with salvaged wood. His work can be abstract, figurative, and sometimes surreal. It reveals much attention to natural characteristics within the wood and complements them with the strong use of line. Art historical references and appropriated styles along with his personal style, technique, and passion meld into completely unique and original works. Randy discovered wood sculpting in college from a friend who worked in exotic woods. He made many small sculptures throughout his four years there where he received a degree in Marine Engineering. After work-

20 January/February 2024

ing as a Marine Engineer aboard cargo ships traveling around the world, Randy retired from shipping in 2007 and has since worked as a full-time artist. Studying art history, particularly modernist painters such as Picasso and Matisse along with contemporary sculpture, has been greatly influential in his work. His experience with machinery and working with metal show in his art and are evidenced by surface and edge work that is seemingly machined. A strong vessel reference has been a staple throughout his career which also includes hollow form, figurative, and most recently his work has become influenced by the Art Deco Movement.

Randy works with hand and power tools to shape the wood, sometimes without having a concrete vision at the outset. He begins working in an almost automatic manner, where wood grain and natural abnormalities provide the impetus, and a free flow of ideas generates a result with a totally unique character. Randy now makes St. Petersburg his home. He opens his house as a gallery space ‘Studio 521 @ 4 Gats Gallery’ for St. Pete’s monthly Second Saturday Art Walk and is also open by appointment. He is located at 521 27th St. South in the Warehouse Arts District. •

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January/February 2024 21

Craft Beer Artistry Transforming Malt Beverages into

“Liquid Art”

By Carol Dekkers

HISTORY The history of craft beer is rich and diverse, spanning thousands of years and various cultures. Beer itself is one of the oldest beverages humans have produced.

Ancient Beginnings: The earliest record-

Carol Dekkers, a certified Cicerone at level 1 (Beer Server), is the owner of Curated Craft Experiences, LLC. Her craft beer involvement includes service with both the Tampa Bay Beer Week (TBBW) board of directors and the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE). Through her initiative, VolunBEERs, (comprising a robust 500-person community), she coordinates volunteers for local brewery/charity events. Carol writes, blogs, and speaks on craft beer nationally, and teaches responsible alcohol service as a certified TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) program trainer.

ed evidence of beer production dates back to ancient Mesopotamia around 5,000 B.C. Sumerians are credited with brewing a rudimentary form of beer using barley. Brewing was one of the earliest ways to purify water for human consumption.

Medieval Brewing: Beer brewing

became a household activity in medieval Europe. Monasteries also played a significant role in brewing, developing various styles and refining brewing techniques. Today, a dozen Trappist breweries carry on the monastery tradition.

Industrial Revolution: With the advent

of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, brewing shifted from smallscale, localized production to larger, industrialized breweries. This period saw the rise of pale lagers and the consolidation of the beer industry into the global conglomerates of mass produced beer today.

he fusion of artistry and craftsmanship has propelled an unexpected transformation in a traditionally conventional realm: the beer industry. While the essential ingredients of malt, water, hops, and yeast might seem limiting, American creativity has shattered these constraints. No longer tethered to the brewing doctrines of Germany and Belgium, independent brewers in the US have revolutionized beer, turning it into a liquid canvas through inventive recipes and novel ingredients. The burgeoning presence of craft breweries, not only in the Tampa Bay area but across the United States, might have caught your eye. What might surprise you even more is the sustained double-digit growth in the craft beer trend, evolving over four decades from a mere eight breweries in 1980 to a staggering 9500 by the close of 2022, as per the Brewers Association's Annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report. Projections indicate that this upward trajectory is poised to persist, with expectations of continued double-digit annual growth through the end of the decade. Craft breweries, defined by the 22 January/February 2024

This emblem (found on packaged cans or bottles of beer) signifies a craft brewery in the U.S. that is independently owned.

Brewers Association, are characterized as "small and independent," producing six million barrels of beer annually or less, roughly 3% of U.S. sales. Independence is further emphasized, with less than 25% ownership or control by a noncraft brewery alcoholic beverage industry member. This autonomy from "big beer," synonymous with mass-produced brews, grants craft brewers the liberty to craft and innovate with new and imaginative beer recipes featuring diverse ingredients spanning the flavor palate. As of June 2023, the craft beer landscape boasts recipes for over 100 beer styles and numerous variations. The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) plays a pivotal role, issuing guidelines for almost 100 types of beer, mead, and cider. This thriving diversity underscores the artistry and innovation within the craft beer movement, signaling a shift towards valuing uniqueness and quality over conventional mass production. The constant exploration of flavors and styles showcases the industry's dedication to pushing boundaries and providing consumers with a diverse and enriching beer-drinking experience.

The shift towards craft beverages in the beer industry has not only transformed the demographics of beer enthusiasts but has also resulted in an equal participation of both women and men enjoying these artisanal drinks. I (Carol Dekkers) was quoted in The New York Times in October 2013 in an article on craft beer: "When you go to a tasting room or a bar with more than 10 taps, you'll notice that 30 to 40 percent of the patrons are women." Drawing a parallel, I also expressed that savoring craft beer is comparable to discovering refined Italian cuisine, especially for those who are accustomed to pizza from a nationwide chain. In St Petersburg, our craft breweries are also winning awards from as far away as Denver’s Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and the World Beer Championships for their liquid art. Stop in at a brewery tasting room soon and sample some of the creativity and artistry at work in craft beer. p.s., Most local craft breweries LOVE to talk about the beer they make - just ask for a "taste" (a small sample) and your taste buds will thank you forever! •

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Craft Beer Revolution: The craft beer

movement in the late 20th century marked a return to smaller-scale, independent brewing. It gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States, spearheaded by pioneers like Fritz Maytag (Anchor Brewing Company) and Jim Koch (Boston Beer Company).

Styles Emergence: As craft brewing

gained popularity, brewers began experimenting with traditional styles and creating new ones. Pale Ales, IPAs, Stouts, and Porters were among the early styles revitalized and reimagined.

Innovation and Diversification: Craft

brewers emphasized quality, creativity, and using high-quality ingredients, leading to a wide range of styles and flavors. They drew inspiration from historical recipes and global brewing traditions.

Local and Independent: Craft breweries often focus on serving local communities, emphasizing unique flavors and often using traditional brewing methods.

The history of craft beer styles is deeply intertwined with the evolution of brewing techniques, ingredients availability, and cultural preferences. What began as a resurgence of traditional styles expanded into a movement that embraces experimentation and innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what beer can be. This has resulted in an incredible diversity of styles and flavors in the craft beer world today.

Craft Beer Tasting - Start at the Beginning

Carol Dekkers' guide to help you navigate and enjoy your first (or nth) craft beer tasting adventure.

BE BRAVE:

Confess your newbie status to the beertender. They're there to help. Express your interest in trying something new and ask for recommendations. Don't hesitate to request samples before committing to a full pour.

BE YOURSELF:

Share your preferences and dislikes with the bartender. If you're used to mainstream beers, let them know. Mention any allergies or aversions to specific ingredients. Good bartenders will use this information to guide you to beers you're likely to enjoy.

GO WITH FRIENDS OR GO ALONE: Craft breweries are welcoming to everyone, regardless of gender or age. Even if your friends aren't beer enthusiasts, there are often alternative beverages like wine or cider. Tasting rooms are designed to be inclusive and enjoyable, making them perfect for solo or group visits.

SUPPORT LOCAL BREWERIES:

Buy your favorite craft brew directly from the tasting room (instead of a grocery) - it's both fresher and gives more bucks to the brewery. When you purchase craft beer at a grocer, look for the inverted beer bottle that signifies an independent craft brewer.

BE ADVENTUROUS:

Explore beer flights to sample a variety of styles. Craft breweries often offer flights of 4-5 small pours, allowing you to taste a diverse range of flavors. Experiment with different styles, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts.

NEW YEAR, NEW BEER: Enjoy core beers but don't miss out on the excitement of seasonal and experimental brews. Craft breweries frequently introduce new flavors, so each visit offers an opportunity to explore and discover something unique.

Craft beer tasting is a journey, and everyone starts as a novice. By being open, communicative, and adventurous, you'll find the experience not only enjoyable but also a great way to expand your palate and knowledge of craft beer. So, here's to new tastes and the wonderful world of craft brewing! CHEERS!

Contemporary art gallery showcasing over 50 emerging and established artists from South America, Europe, Australia, the U.S.,and local to Tampa Bay contact: info@d-gallerie.com shop: www.d-gallerie.com visit us: 1234 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. St. Petersburg, FL. 33705 The Artisan Magazine

January/February 2024 23

LITERATURE

THE WRITE LIFE By Maureen McDole Founder and Executive Director of Keep St. Pete Lit Maureen’s weekly podcast The Write Life can be found at:

www.maureenmcdole.com

“If you’re really listening, if you’re awake to the poignant beauty of the world, your heart breaks regularly. In fact, your heart is made to break; its purpose is to burst open again and again so that it can hold evermore wonders.” -Andrew Harvey

hange is hard, especially change that feels forced on you. It can feel suffocating in its loneliness. You feel like you’re crazy, because you keep hanging onto the old; you’re not ready to meet the new. This isn’t the life you planned! Ugh! It can feel impossible to manage, especially if it comes with heartbreak, grief, and disillusionment. Yet, on the other side of change an entire life can unfold for you that you never imagined was possible. You have to let go of what was, to be able to welcome in what is coming. The only option is to keep on moving through it until you get to the other side, which can sometimes seem to last forever. Several years ago after a brief love affair had ended and I was bemoaning about how I don’t ever want to get my heart broken again, a friend of mine said to me, “Oh, I plan to have my heart broken many more times. I’m actually looking forward to it.” That immediately reframed everything for me, because what she was saying was she willing to go out there and continue to try. She refused to shut down her heart to growth and change. She knew that life is about living and it isn't about closing down and giving up. Yes, we don’t

24 October January/February 2024 24 2023

want our hearts broken, but the only way to truly live is to continue to put our hearts on the line. It’s a new year, and I welcome it. 2023 was full of copious amounts of grief and endings for me, but they were balanced out with many new beginnings and beauty. I am ready to step into 2024 with curiosity as my guide and my old life in the rearview mirror. I’m always grateful for the start of a new year. I look at it as a clean slate; a blank page. It's exciting to think about all the potential possibilities that can come with this year, many I can't even imagine. I plan to practice daily the conscious choice to stay open to the new. I have started saying out loud every morning when I wake up "Show me the way!" I then stay open to what signs and clues come my way each day. If something feels right for me, I explore it and see where it leads. We create our own narratives, so why not edit and rewrite yours, so it reflects the one you always dreamed living? That’s what I plan to do in 2024 with my heart open wide, ready for what’s next, even if that means a bit of heartbreak along the way. Fingers crossed that I can avoid it, but I promise to stay open to adventure, wherever it leads me.

THE PAINTING

ike an icon for some minor but ardently worshiped deity, the painting stands behind a giant molcajete of guacamole, its colors splashier even than patrons usually expect from a Mexican restaurant – the painting, that is; the guacamole is just green. “That’s got to have a dozen avocados,” she says aloud, and although no one can hear her, the canvas vibrates lightly with her words. “This party is going to be a real wingding. Unless guacamole is all there is.” She watches as the two that brought her enter the party room. “Hey. Better view from here than days on end looking at the arm of that couch, I’ll tell you that much. And traveling wrapped in brown paper made my dyspepsia flare up.” She suppresses a burp and shifts her attention. “Look at that bar. What a busy night.” The wait staff has things down better than management. After a bit of a dressing down from one of the two who stuck her in the car back seat sideways, the assistant manager issues staccato instructions to a brawny young guy. He quickly heaves the two barrels that had been relegated to the corners out into the main part of the party room to serve as high-top tables. Guests can now move the straight-backed chairs ringing the room like ranch fencing into little klatches. The lead server, a blonde grown-up, moves the decorations from the sideboards to the barrels and pauses to look at the painting. “I was wondering why the room was laid out like a funeral in a mafia movie.” The blonde smiles but doesn’t hear her. She watches the blonde calibrate her interactions with the two who carried her in from the car: efficient, alert, but not obsequious. Runners arrive with platters of quesadillas, tostadas, and flautas, plus little dishes of pico de gallo and sour cream. “Quite the spread. Could someone make me a plate?” The blonde moves from a new pair of guests to confer quietly with one of the two hosts, who rolls her eyes and nods, swatting the air. They share a ‘carry on’ moment. The server hustles off to the bar. Congratulatory hugs from the dozen plus guests for both hosts, who are all smiles as they position themselves in front of the painting. “Is my lipstick all right?” she asks as the phone camera flashes. The guests converge on the buffet table and begin loading plates. “You’d think they’d have a pile of napkins along with the silverware rolls. Now all those unused utensils will have to get washed again,” she tsks. The blonde returns with a tray: mostly

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margaritas, but also one top-shelf mezcal and one she guesses is a mai tai. “I hope a kid somewhere gets that umbrella tonight as a souvenir.” One of the hosts pings a glass, and the blonde claps to back her up for quiet. It’s a giddy speech, ad lib, no notecards or multiply-folded ratty piece of paper. Shout-outs, heartfelt gratitude, some mention of the painting that doesn’t quite compute. “That one seemed so polite. Does tequila make people point? Kind of rude.” After the speech, people continue to enjoy their drinks and each other’s company. A few people drift away, ready to head out to their next thing. She observes a conversation between the blonde and a guest. They don’t point, but they do stare. “Manners. Honestly.” They appear to arrive at an agreement. The older one approaches the speechifying host, and her delight seems genuine. She flashes a big grin and a thumbs-up at the blonde. As the crowd thins, hugs all around, the blonde and the hosts pack up to-go boxes with leftovers to send home with the lingerers. The blonde stuffs a plastic tub to its brim with the guacamole. The speechifier puts the tub in a paper bag with two boxes. “Too bad the tostadas don’t keep.” The hosts return to stand in front of the painting, seeming happy and wistful, both. A respectful moment swells, and they leave without looking back. “Oh,” she says. “Good-bye.” The party room is quiet now. Servers and runners clear the table cloths and reset the tables and barrels and vases of white silk tulips. The blonde moves the painting to one side. The room dividers rolled aside reveal a bigger space with a fireplace. “That would have been nice, but too big for that crowd.” After the restaurant empties, the blonde returns and speaks directly. “You get to go home with me. I’ve got just the spot for you.”

Susana Darwin is a lifelong political activist and filmmaker who spent decades in Chicago developing cat-herding skills in educational and reference publishing and the law. In 2018, she moved with her wife to St. Petersburg, a notably film-supportive city, where she made her second and third short films. Longer (2020; 11 minutes) appeared in 28 festivals, and Flag Act (2023; 10 minutes) is currently on the festival circuit. She is at work on several short and feature-length screenplays, in addition to other forms of visual art and a novel.

POETRY The line between me and you See the soft face of a loved one with the peaks and valleys of their smile. The light behind their eyes, a caress of eyelashes above their cheek. Hear the way they move, the thud of their footsteps as they echo across a room. The small rush of each breath they take and a reassuring heartbeat beneath your cheek. Touch their skin and feel the warmth it emanates. The silkiness of each strand of hair as it trickles through your fingers, the solidity of an embrace as it wraps around you and holds you for just a moment. What if this person your person. my person, our person was hurting? See the pain in the arch of their eyebrow, hear their stomach rumble endlessly, and feel the burning of their overheated skin. Watch their future waver and then seem to slip away. Did you cause the pain? Did I? Was it because we didn't care enough or we were too busy to to see? To act? What would you do to fix it? Or better what wouldn't you do if you knew you could stop it? Would you still do it if it was for me? Your person and mine, they breathe the same And bleed the same And need the same. Everyone has a person, is a person, That someone else loves enough to move mountains. So why don’t we move them for each other?

Alyssa Sotelo (she/her) MFA Creative Writing Student | Graduate Teaching Assistant University of South Florida | Department of English Alt: alyssasotelo@usf.edu

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The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival Of The Arts Perfecting The Fine Art of Juried Art Festivals For 53 Years

hen the 54th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts comes to Julian B. Lane Riverfront park in Tampa’s Downtown on March 2 and 3, 2024, it brings with it a rich blend of culture and history. For more than five decades, the Festival has offered art aficionados, enthusiasts, and families the chance to immerse themselves in the world of fine art, music, culinary delights, and entertainment, all while embracing a vibrant cultural atmosphere. It is also an opportunity for art collectors to buy high-quality work and for the country’s most accomplished artists to showcase and sell their work and be judged by elite fine art thought leaders from across the

26 January/February 2024

country. The Festival features a wide variety of art mediums including ceramic, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and wood.

Beyond the art, there’s something for everyone, including live music, culinary attractions and areas designed for children and families. Admission is free. For many Februarys in Tampa, a juried art exhibit was held at the Florida State Fair in conjunction with the city’s Gasparilla pirate invasion. Highly accredited artists and art

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administrators from New York were invited to jury the show on the fairgrounds, and eminent architect Mark Hampton even designed a special exhibition space. But as the show evolved and grew, organizers came to see that it would soon require a more flexible and friendly habitat. The informality of the State Fair exhibit brought high-quality artwork to many people who normally wouldn’t venture into museums, and the Festival’s supporters knew they wanted to maintain that informal and welcoming atmosphere. In 1970, a group of downtown business people conceived the notion of a “sidewalk art festival.”

Amid a sleepy downtown Tampa, Robert John Dean and Richard Redman had recently completed the renovation of several charming old brick buildings on Whiting Street between Ashley Drive and Franklin Street. Across the street was radio station WDAE, managed by Donald Clark, a businessman with a sense of community and a familiarity with the concept of outdoor art shows. Clark took the outdoor show idea to Jim Turner of the Tampa Electric Company, who connected Clark with Dean and Redman and was later joined by Lester Olson, Frank

Franklin and Fred Matthews – all visionaries who dreamed of a rejuvenated city, bustling with people and culture. They were joined in their efforts by community leaders and art enthusiasts Lois Nixon, Ann Ross and Jeanne Winter, among others.

The festival succeeded beyond expectations and became known as “The

Little Art Show That Could.” In 1973, the Gasparilla Sidewalk Art Festival was the recipient of the First Annual Governor’s Award for the Arts, selected due to its melding of business and arts interests. The groundwork was laid for what was to become one of the most prestigious juried outdoor art festivals in the country. If the relaxed atmosphere of the Gasparilla Sidewalk Art Festival made this venture a popular success, the factors that made it a critical success were distinguished jurors and substantial cash prizes. To jury the first show in 1971, Festival organizers invited Pierre Apraxine, then assistant curator of painting and sculpture at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Apraxine’s reputation was a crucial element in the growth of the festival’s appeal to both artists and patrons. The opportunity to have one’s work evaluated by an eminent juror was a strong attraction to artists, many of whom were from area university faculties, such as Bruce Marsh, professor of art at the University

of South Florida. Marsh was Best of Show winner for the first two years and said the wins were important to him, not only because the prize money represented a not-inconsiderable percentage of his annual salary at the time, but also because the awards brought him recognition. Over the years many positive changes for the Raymond James Festival of the Arts have occurred. Prize money has grown from its original $3,900 to nearly $100,000 and categories of submission have expanded to include new mediums such as digital art. In 1995, the logo and the name were changed from the Gasparilla Sidewalk Art Festival to Gasparilla Festival of the Arts to reflect an expanded focus and include cultural partners such as the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library. In addition to a larger and more diverse entertainment schedule, an Emerging Artist program was launched to broaden interest in the Festival. Initially inviting only five artists, the Emerging Artists Program has grown to 15 selected artists each year and is considered to be a milestone in the career of up-and-coming artists. Artist’s interest in the Festival has grown dramatically over the years. In the 1970s, Festival organizers were thrilled to see 200 applications. In preparation for the 2024 festival, the team of selection jurors had over 1,000 applications to review. The increase in interest from artists necessitated an increase in the number of volunteers who make the Festival a reality each year. Alongside a dedicated board of directors, the Festival is presented by a committee of about 50 community members who, from September through April of each year, donate hundreds of hours to

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the event. Festival weekend draws another 350 volunteers to bring the Festival over the finish line. In 1995, Raymond James Financial became the Festival’s title sponsor, a sponsorship position it has held ever since. In the 28 years Raymond James has been a sponsor, many of the Best of Show selections and other works from exhibiting artists have become permanent fixtures of Tom James’ personal fine art collection. The Festival location also changed several times from its humble beginnings on Whiting Street. The Festival’s physical location has mirrored its growth, transitioning from various venues before finding its current home at the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. Today, this event showcases over 230 fine artists, 15 Emerging Artists, a Local Artists Spotlight and a Remote Studio program, where artists bring festivalgoers into their creative process. The Festival features two full days of live performing arts and provides a platform for special needs artists – a testament to its inclusive spirit.

Save the date for an unforgettable cultural immersion on March 2-3, 2024, as the

54th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts takes center stage at

Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, downtown Tampa. It’s a celebration of art, diversity,

and community that continues to evolve and captivate audiences year after year.

January/February 2024 27

OP-ED

"Indigo" Jones

Bob Devin Jones

The Twelve Days of Christmas Past Y

ou know, I speak it to my shame, that I am somewhat ignorant as to exactly when/what are the 12 days of Christmas. I mean do they proceed the blessed day or are they the dozen or so days in the aftermath of all that incessant gift giving. And just when actually do we receive those oft mentioned 'twelve drummers drumming”! Well, the number 12 will represent the 12 months of the year and they will suffice for my end of the year celebration. I will choose at least eleven happenings/events (months) that gave me moments of extreme gratitude, wonderment, tears, laughter and thanksgiving. I will save the last month, for one fervent hope/wish for the new year of 2024. Here follows 12 golden rings in no particular order... except for that last one!

1. Michelangelo’s statue of David, the

most exquisite moment of human petition and exhalation in western art. Standing over five meters tall, and fixing to vanquish a giant Michelangelo’s David is infused with very human contemplative resolve and murderous decision. David breathes! And thus leaves you breathless. Since that very moment standing in the Academy in Florence Italy... my soul has grown deep, like the rivers.

2. Jobsite Theater: Twilight featuring An-

dresia Moseley Stageworks: Mark Leib’s, masterpiece When the Righteous Triumph, Poirot Returns, featuring a masterful performance

by Roxane Fey gives credence that both sourdough and American Stage Colored Museum directed carrot muffins were invented right here in St by Erica Sutherlin Florida! Bob DevinPetersburg Jones and i.B.O.M.S. Free fall Theatre Company, the Studio @ 620 Pass over, Off Central Theatre saw three ex6. Both Rusty et Beck's 80th BIRTHDAYS cellent performances this past season. the AND 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! What season opener of Chamber Music at the Pala lovely gathering, watching Rusty sing to ladium Theater. The seasonal performances his bride of half a century “ For I can’t help of Dirty Johns eg Jingle Balls, Freakenstein falling in love with you”. Priceless. and Project Alchemy's Mixed all performed at Studio 620. 7. REUNION WITH FRIENDS I’VE KNOWN SNICE before the last supper and Woodcrest 3. The Pier Elementary; Charles Lane and, the 1970’S EDGE District and the 1980’s. Fairfax High School Residential towers that began sprouting Jeanne Weldon, RochelleWalker, Mark Noah, ‘round the Studio @ 620 Lloyd Slayen, Katherine Crosby, William Bath, EVOS, 400 CENTRAL, Art House. Not quite Frank Rosenthal, Michael Engle. Manhattan rather a riff on Montreal Canada... Hey! 8. POETRY SERIES @ THE DALI KEEP ST PETE LIT 4. Ray Arsenault his amazing chronicle of GrowHouse Poetry Collective: Tampa the African American Journey in the 20th Amie Caesar Until the River Never Grieves; Century, Marian Anderson, the Freedom Choreopoem written for Dali Museum Riders, Arthur Ash and Arsenault’s current biography on Congressman John Lewis, In 9. ST PETE PRESS Search of the Beloved Community TOMOLO BOOKS OXFORD EXCHANGE Tampa 5. Craft Kafe: blueberry pancakes Bacchus Wine Bistro, phenomnial charcuter10. Best Friends Joe Marinelli, Nate Najar ies and brilliant service and of course Jamie Howell City's Bistro on 4th Street North, excellent homemade rye bread tuna melts, and yum11. The City of St Petersburg and our bemy breakfast on the weekends, we patronize loved community. I have been given every at least once a week. necessary nutrition one man could ever Crumb Factory, sourdough bread, and wish for. I have truly thrived in this city. I love Mickey’s Organic carrot walnut muffins, calling St Petersburg home!

12. My retirement as Artistic Director/Founder (along with Dave Ellis) of the Studio@ 620. I am deeply humbled that Erica

Sutherlin will be the incoming Artistic Director of the Studio. I wish for you Erica and the entire Studio family everything you wish for yourselves. The Board of Trustees of 620 has made a truly awesome and soul gratifying appointment. Make every preparation for a remarkable 2024! • i.B.O.M. - Grandsun - 60x60

28 January/February 2024

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Unveiling the Power of Personal Narratives:

A Journey from Memoir to Empowerment

n the vast tapestry of human experience, our stories are the threads that weave together the narrative of our lives. It takes courage to share the raw and unfiltered chapters, to expose the vulnerabilities that make us human. Two years ago, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery when I wrote Accidental First Lady, my story of life as a political spouse. I didn’t only write about campaigns and elections. That was my husband’s story. Through my stories, I shared how I navigated life. I raised two kids, nurtured friendships, sustained a marriage, and survived the inevitable challenges life throws at us. What’s so special about that, you ask? I did all of this in the public eye. Creating the narrative of my life as a 22-year political spouse required me to engage and be comfortable with being uncomfortable through vulnerability. That not only produced my book, but it was a transformative experience. Memoirs are not just tales of the

past; they are blueprints for the future, offering a roadmap for others to navigate their own journeys. Having taught memoir classes and witnessing the transformative power of storytelling, I believe in the inherent value of our narratives. Each story is a reservoir of strength, resilience, and leadership waiting to be told. I believe that our stories have value. Not everyone desires to tell their unique story through memoir, but for those who are considering it, I tell them what my childhood friend and author Susan Sheppard Fekete told me: If it’s in your heart, do it. We don’t need permission to write, but having a framework of support is helpful. When I published my book, I joined a community of writers, authors, and cheerleaders. This was unexpected but is undeniably the best benefit of writing a book. Sharing my stories of those 22 years in politics enriched my life by creating opportunities for me to connect with others outside my

Welcome to Keep St. Pete Lit! Do you read? Do you write? Do you live in or around St. Petersburg? Well then, check out Keep St. Pete Lit, where we celebrate and promote the area’s literary community. Whether you’re a writer, a reader or just love the arts, we want you to help us Keep St. Pete Lit. Founder Read and Write on, my friend! Maureen McDole

Visit our site!

KEEP ST. PETE LIT celebrates and promotes greater St. Petersburg’s literary community – past, present and future – through arts, education and events with a literary twist. We are readers, writers and lovers of words who strive to bring an approachable, engaging literary component to St. Petersburg’s vibrant arts community. Our headquarters are located at 2622 Fairfield Ave S. St. Petersburg within The Factory St. Pete.

By Kerry Kriseman

circumference of comfort. Those kinds of connections are the buoy in an increasingly tough world of violence, vitriol, and sadness. When we take the chance to share a piece of our world and our experiences with others, it can be a conduit for empathy and understanding. Seeing ourselves through someone else’s lived experiences reinforces the concept that humans want to feel connected and to be understood. As I reflect on the journey that led me to this point and celebrate the 2-year anniversary of the publishing of Accidental First Lady, I am reminded of the transformative power that lies within our stories. Little did I know that the decision to share my experiences and lessons learned from 22 years of political spouse life would not only alter the trajectory of my life but also become a catalyst for change, leadership, and unexpected opportunities. My literary journey finds me on the brink of a new chapter – the launch of an online course in 2024. This course is not merely a compilation of writing techniques but a sanctuary for aspiring writers to find the courage to bravely write their stories and to dare to share authentically. It's an opportunity to cultivate the seeds of resilience and leadership embedded in our experiences. When we decide to share our words with the world, we don’t have the benefit of knowing how they will be received. One of the biggest surprises from embarking on the author’s journey is the opportunities I’ve had to continue to share my story. In November, I was named a “Featured Firestarter” by Shannon Watts, Founder Emerita of Moms Demand Action. This was a testament to the impact of sharing my story. It reinforced the notion that personal narratives have the power to instigate change, to spark conversations that resonate beyond the pages of a book. Our stories are not just mirrors reflecting our past; they are mirrors illuminating the path forward, beckoning others to follow suit. In a world saturated with informa-

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tion, personal narratives cut through the noise, fostering connection and empathy. Through the lens of my own journey, I've come to realize that every opportunity, every instance of growth, and every door opened since the publication of my memoir can be directly traced back to the decision to share my story with the world. The invitation to talk to high school students about leadership through resilience came because of the examples I shared in my book. Sharing honestly and openly from the heart hopefully inspired the next generation of leaders. My stories are also evidence that leadership comes in many forms and not only from a dais, boardroom, or athletic field. Leadership, in its truest form, emerges from authenticity. When we share our vulnerabilities, we invite others to do the same. This reciprocity creates a space for collective growth and empowerment. As we navigate the complexities of our lives, we must recognize that our stories are not confined to the pages of a book but ripple into the fabric of society. They have the power to shape perspectives, challenge norms, and inspire change. The act of sharing our stories is an act of courage, a declaration that our experiences matter and can contribute to a larger tapestry of understanding and connection. Kerry Kriseman will teach a 2-part memoir course at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Eckerd College in January and February. More information can be found at https://olli. eckerd.edu/event/memoir-masterycrafting-your-life-story/. Contact Kerry Kriseman at kerrykriseman@gmail. com; follow on Instagram @kerry. kriseman.author. January/February 2024 29

30 January/February 2024

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Everything Old is New Again… Renovation as an Art Form

By John Curtis and Mary Khosh

John Curtis and Mary Khosh are supporting the St. Petersburg Art’s Alliance and promoting the benefits of arts for seniors in the community. They are working to encourage St. Pete’s artistic seniors to join the St. Pete Arts Alliance.

o fully appreciate the art of Bob Jeffery, one must first know about his day job. Bob is an historic preservationist and artist who has been practicing watercolor painting for 45 years. His interest in old buildings came naturally because that was all that was around him in his childhood home of Oil City, Pennsylvania. It all started at home. “We lived in an old house that needed constant repair. I was ‘forced child labor’.” This led to his study of architecture and environmental design at Miami University in Ohio, and graduate studies in Urban Design at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned a masters degree in Architecture, specializing in Historic Preservation at Kent State University. For most of us, when we enter an old building, all we see are walls and clutter. “I see past the door, past the dysfunction.” For him, it happens very fast, five minutes or less. He's putting together all the things that need to be undone, scaled back, all the additives other people have put in over the years. He sees open space and possibilities. “I’m a problem solver. I work with what’s there and come up with something creative to do with it. Creative reuse. I’m a redeveloper, the ultimate recycler.” This was obvious to those who toured his home (the old Nolan’s Grocery Store) during Historic Kenwood’s Bungalow Fest on November 4. (pictured below) 1920’s era store on 1st Ave, N. is now a spacious contemporary home with seven loft apartThe Artisan Magazine

ments around a lush courtyard and pool. A once cavernous space that on entry takes your breath away, like entering a cathedral. Like Frank Geary, his architectural revisionism is informed by an artistic mind. His interiors are masterpieces. As Geary says “Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.” We owe our treasured Historic Kenwood to Jeffery. He started 34 years ago with an $82,000 purchase which became seven units, and then generated revenue to buy another house, and another: “All really rundown in a neighborhood with six legitimate businesses and twenty illegitimate ones.” When he paints buildings he sees them as living entities with personality and memories. He tries to tell their “ghostly history.” With Nolan’s Grocery he found the original owner's granddaughter who helped him understand the “heart of the building” as she said. “A building can tell a story,” he says. When Bob paints, he first sketches with a blue watercolor pencil, then goes over it with pen and ink. The blue becomes a light shadow when he drops in very wet highly pigmented watercolor paint. His paintings of historic St. Petersburg buildings will be on display at Woodfield Fine Art Gallery, 2323 Central Ave through the holidays. “No person who is not a great sculptor or painter can be an architect. If he is not a sculptor or painter, he can only be a builder.” - John Ruskin. • January/February 2024 31

Celtic Woman SATURDAY MARCH 2, 8 PM Mahaffey Theater - Duke Energy Center for the Arts FL – Saint Petersburg, FL

In the 20 years since the global musical sensation’s debut, Celtic Woman has emerged as both a formidable musical presence and a genuine cultural phenomenon. The group's albums and DVD releases have been consistent multi-platinum best-sellers and its concert tours continue to touch the hearts of a devoted audience that spans the globe. Both an accomplished recording ensemble and a world-class performing collective, Celtic Woman introduces some of Ireland's most talented singers and musicians to the world stage. The group's repertoire encompasses Irish classics, contemporary songs, classical favorites and stirring originals. The lineup of performers has evolved in the years since the group's inception but the signature sound of Celtic Woman has remained consistent, showcasing the members' individual and collaborative talents. Celtic Woman is comprised of four young Irish women whose performing skills bring centuries of musical and cultural tradition to life. In concert, their angelic voices and instrumental virtuosity are accompanied by a robust ensemble that includes Irish dancers, bagpipers and a full band playing an array of traditional Celtic instruments, including bodhrán, tin whistle, bouzouki and Uilleann pipes. Returning to

the group is soprano Mairéad Carlin, a former member who joins the show for this very special anniversary tour. Joining her are fellow soprano Muirgen O’Mahony, fiddle and Irish harp maestro Tara McNeill, as well as the newest member of the group, the multi-talented Emma Warren, who has toured with Riverdance, Heartbeat of Home and most recently performed in Les Miserables, London. The “20th ANNIVERSARY” album and DVD will be released in January 2024 and features brand-new compositions and arrangements plus some fan favorites. Since 2005, Celtic Woman has sold over ten million CDs and DVDs, and amassed more than 3 billion streams, making it the only all-female act to achieve multi-platinum success in the classical crossover and world music genres during the past decade. Named Billboard’s #1 World Music Artist of the Year six times, 12 of the studio CDs have debuted at #1 on Billboard’s World Album chart. Celtic Woman has also scored two Top 10 debuts on Billboard’s influential album chart and five Top Five DVDs on Billboard’s Top Video chart, as well as achieving platinum-level sales in nine countries. Their 2016 album release, “Destiny”, was nominated for a Grammy award in the category of Best World Music Album, marking the group’s first-ever Grammy nomination. •

YOU RAISE ME UP THE PARTING GLASS

32 January/February 2024

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Photo Credit: Kip Carroll

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January/February 2024 33

How Important is Art in Human Existence? Art plays a significant and multifaceted role in human existence, and its importance can be understood from various perspectives:

Richard Minster’s

Minsterpiece Gallery Uniquely Original Art

1. Cultural Expression:

Art is a fundamental form of cultural expression. It reflects the beliefs, values, and identity of different societies and communities. Through art, people can convey their stories, traditions, and history to future generations.

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Distinctive Unique Colorful

2. Emotional and Psychological Impact: Art has a

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profound emotional and psychological impact on individuals. It can evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy and happiness to sadness and introspection. This emotional connection can provide comfort, catharsis, and a means of processing complex feelings.

3. Creativity and Innovation: Art fosters creativity

and innovation. It encourages individuals to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and experiment with different materials and techniques. This creative process is not only valuable in the arts but also in various aspects of human endeavor, including science, technology, and business. 4. Communication and Expression: Art is a universal language that transcends linguistic and cultural barriers. It allows people to communicate complex ideas and concepts that may be difficult to convey through words alone. Artists use their work to express their thoughts, opinions, and commentary on societal issues. 5. Aesthetic Appreciation: Art enhances our appreciation of beauty and aesthetics. It can transform everyday objects and scenes into sources of inspiration and wonder. This aesthetic dimension of art enriches our lives by encouraging us to see the world from different perspectives. 6. Historical Documentation: Art serves as a historical record. It provides insight into the past by capturing the visual, cultural, and societal norms of different time periods. Artifacts, paintings, sculptures, and literature all serve as valuable historical documents. 7. Social Commentary: Art has been a powerful tool for social commentary and activism. Artists often use their work to critique injustice, advocate for change, and raise awareness about pressing social and political issues. This can inspire social movements and promote positive change. 8. Entertainment and Leisure: Art also plays a vital role in providing entertainment and leisure activities. Music, film, literature, and visual arts are enjoyed by people around the world as a source of relaxation and enjoyment. 9. Education and Learning: Art education is essential for cognitive development, especially in children. It encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Exposure to art and cultural diversity also broadens one's worldview and fosters empathy. Art is a deeply ingrained and vital part of human existence. It encompasses cultural, emotional, intellectual, and social dimensions that contribute to our understanding of the world and our place in it. It enriches our lives by offering diverse forms of expression and providing a lens through which we can explore and interpret the human experience. • 34 January/February 2024

Each idea manifests in its’ own individual style. 615 27th St. S., Unit C Saint Petersburg, FL 33712 WEBSITE

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richardminster@gmail.com (727) 655-8234

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ARTIST REGISTRY

In partnership, Celebrate St. Pete and The Artisan Magazine will provide a free profile for every art-related business in The Artisan Magazine on Celebrate St. Pete's online directory, and include a post in at least one of the following of the online directories sections; Daily Post, Article, Event, Photo, Product, or Video.

FINE ART/CLASSES

hello@shelbydillonstudio.com

Krporter@centralartclasses.com

Coastal paintings, fine art prints, and online painting classes for all levels.

Central Art Classes: The Downtown destination for art classes. All ages. Taught by professional artist K.R. Porter at the ArtLofts.

FINE ART - PAINTERE

PAINTER

Shelby Dillon 919-886-7046

Patricia Tierney Moses

K.R. Porter

727-481-6612

John Bayalis

PAINTER

Blaquejack Studios Artmosphere Studio 21 327 14th Ave S St Petersburg FL 33701

727-273-5011

www.blaquejackstudios.com IG: @blaquejackstudios blaquejackstudios@gmail.com

PAINTER

Nancy Cohen

Nancycohenstudio.com

The Factory St. Pete 2622 Fairfield Ave. S.

johnbayalis@gmail.com

IG: @pangelatierney Tricia@ptierneymoses.com

John has embraced still life as well as landscape as subject sources. Distinct realist style.

Classical fine art paintings, studio visits welcome. Represented by Woofield Fine Art.

PAINTER

FINE ART/PAINTING

cjadus@gmail.com

margaretbayalis.1@gmail.com

larry@larrymaynardartist.com

Bayalis’ paintings are in numerous private and corporate collections internationally.

“An American Tonalist” Fine Art Painter of Florida Wetlands

CERAMIST

PAINTER

727-599-7144

(727) 648-7142

917-921-6821

SCAN TO DOWNLOAD

Carrie Jadus 727-318-3223

Jadus is a Tampa Bay Artist, her work is exhibited in galleries and private collections all over the world.

Margaret Bayalis (727) 648-7142

Larry Maynard 727-403-1315

SCAN TO DOWNLOAD

PAINTER

Janie Haskins

Brenda McMahon

614-330-5463

518.692.7742

janie@janiehaskins.com

brenda@brendamcmahon.com

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Jim Kammerud Warehouse Arts District St. Pete

614-353-9556

Colorful, impressionist oil paintings of coastal scenes, shorebirds, and Florida life.

Custom designed sculptural ceramic tile and Japanese inspired vessels.

Contemporary figure paintings and portraits

PAINTER

CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING

dyaelk@gmail.com

Jthomas@cmdigroup.com

An organic expressionist, Yael Kelley’s paintings are in collections internationally.

Learn the art of Chinese Brush Painting at the Morean - Oct. 21st

Lance Rodgers lrodgersart@yahoo.com

727-365-4662

Lance Rodgers’ thoughtful narrative paintings have been displayed in numerous galleries and museums.

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D YaeL Kelley

727-365-6664

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Workshop with Jo-An

(617) 921-6880

January/February 2024 35

MARCH 2-3 JULIAN B. LANE RIVERFRONT PARK

“RI

DE Y

OU R W AY ” BY KARINA

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art festivals.

36 January/February 2024

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