ELISABETH CONDON
LET’S GET DREAMY.
Discover surreal works of art at The Dalí Museum. Encounter American classics at The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. And catch captivating murals around every corner in colorful St. Pete-Clearwater. Make every moment a masterpiece. Let’s shine.
DRV
Gallery Brings Uplifting
Creativity
to the Region this November and December
Gulfport’s DRV Gallery creative calendar for November and December includes a solo exhibition by a multiple-award-winning fiber artist, free live concerts, and a leading role in the town’s 8th Annual Gulfport Artist Studio Tour.
On Friday, November 1st from 5:30-8:30 PM, the gallery will reveal a collection of portraits by decorated fiber artist Dawn Waters at Face Value, a solo exhibit that will run through November 16th. The gallery’s Evening at the Gallery live music series will serve as musical accompaniment to the show, with multi-instrumentalist Jim Gilmour welcoming acclaimed musician Rebbeca Zapen-Douglass back to DRV Gallery.
The evening is designed as a free, uplifting gathering for the community and will serve as a fundraiser for local efforts by the Red Cross, with both Waters and the gallery donating proceeds from the event to the charity.
On Saturday, November 16th from 1-2:30 PM, DRV Gallery will host its first creative workshop of the season at Expert Series: Impressionism the Easy Way with Jack Providenti. Jack is a multi-award-winning artist and will provide an in-depth demonstration on how to create a dramatic, light-filled impressionistic landscape or seascape painting, indoors or outdoors, without having to draw. Interested parties are invited to register for the event at https://tinyurl.com/ drvimpressionismworkshop.
DRV Gallery will serve as stop eight of nine on the Eighth Annual ArtJones Gulfport Artist Studio Tour on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th. The event has become one of the region’s most anticipated holiday season art shows, and this year’s event features 22 professional artists. During this twoday event, DRV Gallery will showcase works by owner Deserie Valloreo and painters representing three distinct styles: Amy Howell, Paula Roy, and Jack Providenti.
To learn more about these events and DRV Gallery’s artists, visit the gallery’s online home at https://www. drvgallery.com/.
Featuring resident artist Brighton Tendayi. Brighton is arguably the best animal stone sculptor not only in Zimbabwe, but in Sub Saharan Africa.
Bowman, who creates what she calls “vine art” to reflect her connection with nature.
Says Bowman, “Through my artistry, I aim to create pieces that not only captivate the eye but also evoke a sense of tranquility and harmony with nature.”
In addition to Bowman, this year’s group includes painters Ray Domingo, Deserie Valloreo, Amy Howell, Jack Providenti, Christine Di Staola, Angela Warren, Nancy Poucher, Kiersty Long, Paula Roy, Cynthia Dugat, John Doyle, and Puma Love, as well as ceramic artists Brenda McMahon, Denny Howard, Patricia Burrows, and Margaret Pankhurst, metal artist Eric Folsom, jeweler Jessica SteeleKoupas, and mixed-media artists Polly Tetrault, Debra Campbell, and Monika Watson. Eight of the 22 participating artists a hiatus.
ArtJones is sponsored locally by the Enroy Foundation, Kathleen and Peter Forde, Gulfport Beach Bazaar, Stella’s, Sail Market & Boutique, and Qi Crystal Energy. For more information on the artists and to download a brochure with a map of this year’s ArtJones Open Studio Tour, visit ArtJonesStudioTour.com and follow the group on social media outlets @weareartjones on Facebook and @artjonesgulfportfl on Instagram.
About the organization:
ArtJones is an independent artist-run collective with a rotating list of artists selected by invitation annually.
Two Scoops For Bette, 30” x 40” currently on display in City of Dunedin - City Hall
SHINE CELEBRATION PARTY
2024 SHINE Mural Festival
November 9, 8-11PM at FloridaRAMA.
Celebrate 10 years of shine and the 10-day festival at FloridaRAMA featuring a solo show and book release by 2023 artist Chris Dyer, custom installations from 2021 artists Nicole Salgar and Ricky Watts, DJ and special performance by Woes Martin (2021) and The Mighty Giants, Giano Currie’s interactive photography experience, After Hours Photoshoot and more. The event is free and open to the public.
A limited number of tickets are available for purchase to gain access to the SHINE VIP Experience inside FloridaRAMA’s immersive art space. Mingle with past and present SHINE artists while exploring the multi-sensory art exhibits. The $75 ticket price includes valet parking, limited edition keepsake item, gourmet bites from Uptown Eats and open bars sponsored by Mandarin Hide, Great Bay Distributors and Mother Kombucha.
Brenda McMahon Gallery Hosts Award-Winning Book Excavation Artist Ted
Wray this November
Brenda McMahon Gallery in Gulfport will welcome one of the world’s leading book excavation artists to its roster of decorated artists this November. Ted Wray, a multiple-award-winning artist, rescues books from the recycling bin and transforms them into mind-expanding, exciting new 3-dimensional worlds of inexhaustible exploration and wonder. He accomplishes all this with just a blade and his imagination.
“Books contain secrets,” says Wray. "I like digging deeper because, while we can’t see all the answers at once, we can glimpse the beauty of the interaction of chaos and order.”
Wray's works will be unveiled during a solo exhibition at the gallery during the town's First Friday Art Walk on Friday, November 1st from 6-9 PM. St. Petersburg jazz innovator Henry Ashwood will perform a live suite of classics and originals for the crowd to enjoy while perusing Wray's works and those of nearly 20 regional artists.
Wray has pursued careers in printing, music, and art, earning multiple awards for excellence in each field. In 2019, he redirected his creativity to become a leading book excavation artist, earning numerous awards from
New York to Florida. His unique style allows viewers to see imagery from every page of the book simultaneously, integrating width, height, depth, and time.
Says Wray: “I’m fascinated by the interplay of chaos and order. I’m offering a new view into something that’s always been there. The book is not what you think it is.”
The gallery was also recently announced as the first of nine stops on the 8th Annual ArtJones Gulfport Artist Studio Tour, taking place on Saturday, December 7th, and Sunday, December 8th. This tour has become a must-see and must-shop event on the region’s holiday arts calendar and features work by 22 professional artists. The gallery will showcase gallery owner and ceramic artist Brenda McMahon, painters Christine Di Staola and Angela Warren, and mixed-media artist Debra Brown during the event. To follow updates on the event, follow @BrendaMcMahonGallery on Facebook and Instagram, or visit the gallery’s homepage at https://brendamcmahongallery.com/. Brenda McMahon Gallery is located at 2901 Beach Boulevard S
downtown Gulfport.
CULINARY
Where Culinary Art Meets French Flair: An Interview with Executive Chef Jermaine Bass of The Left Bank Bistro
By Terri L. Hall
Ienjoyed sitting down with Chef Jermaine of The Left Bank to explore how he transforms food into an art form. In this exclusive Q&A, he shares the inspiration behind his culinary masterpieces and the creative process that brings his dishes to life.
• What inspired you to focus on French cuisine?
From a very young age, I was fascinated by cooking. I love everything about food, and sometimes I wonder if I’m the reincarnation of a chef. My
father passed away when I was only one, so a group of incredible women raised me—my mother and aunts— who were all talented cooks. They often told me that, as a baby, I would crawl into the kitchen whenever they cooked.
As I got older, my first job was as a dishwasher at the Tampa Club, where Chef Joseph was mastering French cuisine. Working from the ground up, the Chef and his team taught me everything I needed to know about cooking, and that experience shaped my skills. My passion for learning different techniques has only grown stronger since then.
about food and the techniques behind it. We became close friends, and he deepened my passion for cooking. He introduced me to the concept of "soigné" and pushed me to refine my skills and elevate my love for food. Carl's influence was transformative. He had a genuine love for pastries long before becoming a pastry chef, and his enthusiasm spread to everything in the kitchen. His passion made me fall in love with food in all its forms—from desserts to complex dishes—and inspired me to become the chef I am today.
• How about adding your past experiences (desserts) to the specialties you apply at LBB?
is my favorite. It’s a technically French dish with tomatoes and risotto, and it’s a big hit with people on the current menu. I’m also a fan of beef bourguignon—it reminds me of comfort food. It’s essentially an elevated version of a beef stew or pot roast, a dish that’s been around for ages. Many chefs have put their own spin on it over time. It pairs well with beer, wine, or anything and goes great with mashed potatoes.
• What’s your approach to balancing tradition with creativity?
• Is there a particular chef or experience that shaped your style?
When I first started, I challenged Chef Joseph while he was making Pommes William. I told him I could improve them, and he laughed but was impressed when I actually did. That began my journey of learning his techniques and creating some of my own.
During that time, I also worked with Carl Bertka, a pastry chef who had worked with Gordon Ramsay and appeared on Hell's Kitchen. Carl, then a sous chef on the rise, taught me so much
I gained valuable experience working in the Dessert Room at Bern’s Steak House. Carl once told me, "You're not a real chef if you're not well-rounded," which inspired me to pursue pastry making. During my time there, I learned a great deal and was mentored by Kim Yelldington, now Chocolate Pi's owner.
• Which dishes best represent your skills as a chef at LBB?
That’s a tricky question because I love so many dishes. Often, chefs find themselves in a rut when a dish becomes extremely popular—they want to elevate or change it, but it can become a classic and something they’re known for.
If I had to pick, I’d say Monte Carlo
Many chefs, including myself, believe in paying homage to those who came before us. We often try to modernize classic dishes for a younger generation that may not know their origins. By tweaking recipes and incorporating new techniques or ingredients, like fresh produce and poaching methods, we aim to improve these dishes while still honoring the original creators.
Take Beef Bourguignon, for example. Julia Child introduced it to America, and chefs today continue to modernize it—focusing on flavor and presentation, making it look as beautiful as it tastes, instead of just serving it in a simple bowl.
• I understand you create weekly features - how does that add to your creativity?
My creativity stems from experimenting a lot when I was younger. I
still do a lot of research and development at home, even though many chefs don’t enjoy cooking outside of work. I love trying out new ideas, and my wife is my go-to taste tester—if something is too salty or too sweet, she lets me know, and I adjust accordingly.
I also encourage my crew to develop techniques and push their limits in the kitchen. I’m constantly working on new ideas, which takes time, but the creative freedom Susanne Byram, the owner, gives me at Left Bank is invaluable. She lets me do what I do best, and I genuinely appreciate that.
One of my favorite things is watching people’s reactions to the food I create. I’ll walk through the dining room or the kitchen doors to see how they respond. Seeing them smile, take out their cameras, or enjoy the first bite brings me so much joy. Watching people enjoying their food makes all the hard work worth it.
• How do you maintain consistency in quality during busy services?
I believe in following recipes as a foundation to maintain consistency. As Chef Thomas Keller, my favorite chef, says, "The recipe is a base, but as a chef, your soul speaks to how you make it perfect." A recipe provides structure for consistency, but as a chef, your soul brings it to life. You are the soul of the recipe, elevating it beyond the instructions.
• You recently curated a wine-pairing dinner at Left Bank. How do you create a memorable dining experience for your guests?
Over the past 30 years, I’ve hosted many wine dinners. My head chef taught me about wine profiles and tastings during that time. We had sommeliers from France, Spain, and
California visit the Tampa Club, where they trained us to pair wines with different foods. I had the privilege of learning how to match specific wine profiles with the right dishes.
When pairing wine and food, it’s essential to consider how the protein complements the wine, ensuring everything works harmoniously together. After tasting countless wines over the years, I’ve developed a strong ability to ensure those pairings mesh perfectly.
• How does diner feedback influence your menu?
When I create new features (not specials) that are hits, I often revisit them later. If a feature is well-received a second time, that’s when I know it should become a permanent menu item. People love it; it’s memorable, and they tell their friends to try it. Consistency is critical—when a dish resonates like that, it deserves a place on the menu.
I also believe in the power of comfort food. When a dish reminds someone of childhood or something mom or grandma made, it especially connects with their soul. Once a dish touches the soul, I know it belongs on the menu.
• What about sourcing your ingredients?
I grow some of my vegetables at home and engage in extensive gardening throughout the seasons. I like using seasonal veggies and fruits in my cooking. I believe using fresh, locally sourced ingredients is essential to achieve the best flavor in my dishes.
• Are there any culinary trends you’re excited to explore?
My favorite cuisines are modern French, Japanese, Italian, and Latin.
I love their bold flavors—each bite makes you think, "Wow, this is phenomenal!”
• I strive to take a different approach than everyone else. For instance, if I'm making a key lime pie or any popular dish, I ask myself what will set my version apart. Why should customers choose us? I aim to be innovative and surprise them with something new.
• How would you like to see French cuisine evolve at Left Bank Bistro?
I envision the evolution of French cuisine, and I teach my crew and colleagues about its rich history, just as my predecessors taught me. It’s like passing the baton—French food is constantly evolving. By sharing my knowledge with my team, we can grow together and continue to learn. No chef knows everything; there’s always room for evolution and growth.
Many chefs in the past have drawn
inspiration from future chefs, and I’ve experienced this firsthand by sharing ideas with a chef I worked with over the years. It’s important not to hit a wall but to keep developing. I always ask myself, “How can we do this better?” I know new chefs will emerge from my guidance, and I’m excited to see their growth.
About The Left Bank Bistro
The Left Bank Bistro is located in the MLK Business District, Uptown, at 1225 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., St Petersburg, FL 33701. The decor and setting take you back to 1920s Paris, where artists and poets lived. The restaurant is housed in a meticulously restored 1922 bungalow, featuring French cuisine and signature top-shelf cocktails named after the artists of the day. There is inside and outside seating for patrons. For reservations, call 727-256-1691 or visit the website at http://www.theleftbankbistro.com. •
PLAYBILL PREVIEWS
By Deborah Bostock-Kelley
MAHAFFEY THEATER
(ST. PETERSBURG)
A VERY BROADWAY CHRISTMAS
December 20
PSTAGEWORKS THEATER (TAMPA)
THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE (SARASOTA)
A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS
November 27 – January 5
repare for Broadway on the Bay's "A Very Broadway Christmas" — the ultimate holiday extravaganza for the whole family! Experience the magic of Christmas like never before with the largest gathering of Broadway stars to light up the stage in St. Pete. Sing along to the most iconic songs from your favorite holiday shows, be dazzled by show-stopping Broadway-style performances, and get a special visit from Santa himself! This is the festive celebration you've been waiting for, filled with heartwarming holiday cheer, stunning production numbers, and a truly unforgettable night.
ASOLO THEATRE (SARASOTA)
ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914
December 4 – 22
ONovember 29 - December 22
It's a wild and wacky holiday romp with "The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical."
Delivering a jolly mix of comedy, chaos, and down-home trailer park fun, when a freak amnesia spell hits, a quirky bunch of North Florida neighbors must band together to save Christmas — and the results are hilariously outrageous! With zany characters, laugh-outloud moments, and tunes that'll stick in your head for days, it's the perfect holiday treat for those who love their Christmas with a side of Armadillo Acres' shenanigans and a whole lot of heart!
AMERICAN STAGE (ST. PETERSBURG)
THE
MOUNTAINTOP
November 6- 24
n Christmas Eve, on the Western Front, amid the chaos of war, a German soldier stepped into No Man's Land, singing "Silent Night." This quiet moment sparked an extraordinary night of peace, fellowship, and shared humanity. "All is Calm" tells the true story of the historic Christmas Truce, when soldiers from both sides of The Great War laid down their arms to celebrate the holiday together. Through their words and songs, this powerful production honors the bravery of those who, defying their commanders, chose compassion over conflict. After sold-out performances Off-Broadway and across North America, Peter Rothstein's deeply moving tribute to these unsung heroes makes its long-awaited Sarasota debut. This show is a heartwarming reminder that even in the darkest times, the light of human connection shines through.
OnApril 3, 1968, you find yourself in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee—witnessing the final night of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life. The Mountaintop opens with this poignant moment where history feels raw and honest. As Dr. King contemplates his legacy, struggles, and hopes for the future, he encounters Camae, a sassy and enigmatic hotel maid, who ignites an unexpected and profound conversation. This powerful play pulls back the curtain on the man behind the legend, offering a humanizing and profoundly emotional portrayal of Dr. King through sharp dialogue and moving monologues. Experience a side of King you've never seen before as "The Mountaintop" illuminates the complexities of his life, vision, and the immense burden of greatness.
Get ready to jingle, groove, and sing along because "A Motown Christmas" is back and better than ever! This holiday season, prepare for a festive celebration that'll have you dancing in your seat to the sounds of Motown magic! It's the perfect blend of beloved Christmas carols and soul-stirring Motown hits that'll fill you with holiday cheer. Enjoy classic Christmas tunes like "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World" fused with soulful, rockin' hits from the legends of Motown—think Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and The Jackson 5! These iconic artists all gave us unforgettable holiday classics. They're coming together in one spectacular revue, guaranteed to light up your holiday spirit in a family-friendly, toe-tapping holiday treat.
TAMPA REP (TAMPA)
December 5 - 22
Celebrate the kick-off of the holiday season with a delightful dose of nostalgia! Frank Capra's timeless classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," comes to life like never before in a live 1940s radio play. Step back in time and join us for a festive evening filled with warmth, charm, and a little holiday magic as Tampa Bay's top actors bring the beloved story of George Bailey to the stage — complete with old-school sound effects, live music, and plenty of yuletide cheer. This heartwarming tale reminds us all that the true wealth of life isn't measured in dollars but in the friendships and love we share. Gather your family and friends for a holiday experience to fill your heart and brighten your spirit!
Owner, Susanne Byram and Chef Jermaine Bass As seen in Stroll Snell Isle, Photo Credit: Carol Walker
Holmes & Watson are back at freeFall
An
all-new Sherlock Holmes Adventure from the playwright of Lend Me a Tenor, Murder on the Orient Express and Crazy for You.
freeFall Theatre brings Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure to the stage for the longest run in the company's history. Moriarty opens November 8 and closes December 15. Opening weekend is only a few seats away from being completely Sold Out. Five actors play over 40 roles in this adventure that has more danger, more laughter, more romance, and more mystery than the record-breaking production of Baskerville.
ABOUT THE CAST AND TEAM
Reprising their roles from 2023’s smash-hit Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville, Eric Davis and Matthew McGee return to the freeFall stage as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. McGee was recently named Best Actor (Reader’s Pick) in Creative Loafing’s 2024 Best of the Bay Issue. Joining Davis and McGee are Robert Teasdale, Kelly Pekar and Sara DelBeato. Robert Teasdale (Moriarty, Von Orstein, Mycroft Holmes, and others) recently appeared as Eliot Rosewater in Kurt Vonnegut’s God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater with freeFall and can be seen in numerous film and television projects including Showtime’s George and Tammy. Kelly Pekar (Irene Adler, Mrs. Hudson, Cartwright) is a Brooklyn based actress and playwright with numerous freeFall credits including Into the Woods and Peter and the Starcatch-
er. Comic actress Sara DelBeato (Daisy, Mrs. Barabas, Hilda Klebb, and others) returns to the freeFall stage after having last appeared in Kurt Vonnegut’s God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater and the world premiere of Nightsweat by playwright Natalie Symons.
Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty is directed by freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis. Davis is also designing the props and sound for the production. Dalton Hamilton returns to freeFall as lighting designer with scenic design by Tom Hansen. Dee Johnson makes her freeFall debut as Costume Designer after having worked with Asolo Repertory Theatre and Norwegian Cruise Lines.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are back on the case! An investigation into the Bohemian king’s stolen letters cascades into an international mystery filled with spies, blackmail and intrigue. With world peace at stake, Holmes and Watson join forces with American actress Irene Adler to take down cunning criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty and his network of devious henchmen.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Ken Ludwig may well be the most performed playwright of his generation. He has had six productions on
Broadway and eight in London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged throughout the United States and around the world every night of the year. They have been produced in over 20 languages in more than 30 countries, and many have become standards of the American repertoire. His first play, Lend Me a Tenor, was produced on Broadway and in London by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by The Washington Post. Crazy For You was on Broadway for five years, on the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. It has been revived twice in the West End and is currently touring Japan. Since its European premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2022, Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express has had hundreds of international productions. In addition, he has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theatre, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award for writing the Kennedy Center Honors. His other plays include Moon Over Buffalo; Leading Ladies; Baskerville; Sherwood; Twentieth Century; Dear Jack, Dear Louise; A Fox on the Fairway; A Comedy of Tenors; The Game’s Afoot; Shakespeare in Hollywood; and Moriarty.
PRAISE FOR FREEFALL’S BASKERVILLE
“In St. Pete, 'Baskerville' is a complete triumph from concept to execution on par with freeFall’s best”Creative Loafing Tampa
“Davis’s Holmes is a worthy successor to Rathbone, Cumberbatch and other Sherlocks we have known.” - The Gabber
“The duo fall into their parts as naturally as any iconic pair who have played them.” - Tampa Bay Times
freeFall Theatre is located at 6099 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at freefalltheatre.com or by calling 727498-5205. All matinees at freeFall are at 2pm and all evening performances are at 7pm. Tickets are $55 ($25 for youth under 18 and for all seats to previews) or included with your $29/month subscription.
Located in West St Petersburg, freeFall Theatre Company is one of Tampa Bay’s most exciting professional theater companies. freeFall was founded in 2008 and moved into its current space at 6099 Central Avenue in 2011. freeFall presents a varied range of classical and new works that are bold, daring, and presented in ways that invite, entertain, and challenge audiences.
Info & Tickets SizzleTease Video
Matthew McGee and Eric Davis
Kelly Pekar
Wray. November 1 -
Why Performing Arts Matter: Its Impact on Communities
The Mahaffey Theater and its Uplifting Influence on St. Petersburg
By Terri Hall
It’s no surprise that New York City is hailed as the theatrical capital of the world. Similarly, St. Petersburg has earned its place as the top arts destination for mid-sized cities by American Style (1) magazine. For Bill Edwards, Founder and CEO of Big3 Entertainment and the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, the mantra is clear: “Every great city has a theater.” This belief is the driving force behind the management of the Duke Energy Center for the Arts—Mahaffey Theater, reflecting his unwavering commitment to enriching the community's cultural fabric.
Beyond economic benefits,(2) the arts profoundly impact individual and community well-being. Research from the World Health Organization shows that arts engagement plays a crucial role in every stage of life. It supports child development, encourages healthier lifestyle choices, assists in managing mental health challenges, and even provides comfort in end-oflife care. These findings underscore the arts' power to transform lives and foster a healthier, more connected society and quality of life.
Cultural Enrichment:
Performing arts serve as a powerful bridge that unites diverse cultures, providing a platform for preserving traditions and nurturing creativity. Through dance, theater, music, and storytelling, cultural narratives are shared in ways that transcend lan-
guage, enabling people from different backgrounds to connect and appreciate one another's heritage. Traditional dances like flamenco or Indian Bharatanatyam, for example, encapsulate centuries of history, passing down values, stories, and customs to new generations, ensuring that cultural legacies continue to thrive. Festivals and performances featuring multicultural arts encourage dialogue and collaboration between communities, reinforcing the idea that, despite differences, art is a universal language that can bring people together. Thus, the performing arts are pivotal in celebrating diversity, fostering creativity, and building a more inclusive society.
Social Impact:
The performing arts' uplifting impact on communities extends far beyond the stage. It fosters community through shared experiences, cultural connections, and local engagement. In St. Petersburg, the Mahaffey Theater serves as a cornerstone for both locals and visitors, inviting them to immerse themselves in the joy and unique artistry that only a live performance can provide. Each performance becomes an opportunity for dialogue, reflection, and celebration, highlighting the theater's role as an essential pillar in the city’s cultural landscape.
Reducing Social Isolation:
With mental health increasingly in the spotlight, embracing creativity and connection is more important than ever—and theater provides a powerful outlet for both. Live theater, dance, comedy, and musical performances continue to provide much-needed social interaction and inclusive spaces; the most significant benefit is the mental health benefits and therapeutic value.
According to The Mental Health Foundation, “The arts also help at a community level. As we age, we might face isolation through a loss of social connections, such as friends, family, and workplace—as well as other limitations, such as decreasing physical health. By getting involved in arts programs, people in later life can rebuild their social connections and extend existing community support.”(3)
Encourages Dialogue on Important Issues:
Performances often tackle social, political, and environmental issues, using the arts to raise awareness and challenge norms. By engaging audiences, they educate them and highlight essential causes. Post-performance discussions—whether through formal panels or informal conversations—can spark meaningful dialogue, fostering more profound understand-
ing and inspiring collective action.
Beyond its role as an entertainment venue, the Mahaffey Theater fosters community connection and dialogue, bringing people together to explore and reflect on important social, political, and environmental issues through the arts. Its educational programs, including student field trips and summer camps, inspire creativity and civic engagement and cultivate an appreciation for the arts among younger generations.
The theater also contributes to the local economy, drawing audiences to the downtown area and supporting nearby businesses. Recognizing and supporting the performing arts is essential for nurturing vibrant, connected communities. Your support can help sustain this invaluable cultural asset and ensure we continue to inspire, educate, and bring people together through the power of live performance. This holistic impact—cultural, educational, and economic—solidifies the Mahaffey Theater’s role as a vital, transformative force in the St. Petersburg community. Bill Edwards continues to say, "Every great city has a theater," and St. Petersburg is proud to be one of them. Join us in this mission to keep the performing arts alive, enriching our community for generations to come.
National Endowment for the Arts
1. https://www.tampabay.com/features/visualarts/magazine-once-again-loves-tampa-bay-asarts-destination/1230810/ 2. https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/contributionof-the-arts-to-society-and-the-economy/ 3. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/blogs/how-arts-can-help-improveyour-mental-health
Terri Hall
Terri is the President at Doubletake Marketing & PR
By Donna Sorbello
Dynamic New Kid On The 600 Block! Erica Sutherlin!
THE 600 block on First Ave South, St Pete, is the home of the always exciting, everchanging, The Studio at 620. The new Artistic Director of this eclectic arts haven, alternating music, visual arts, theatre, poetry, movement, and a myriad of other artistic endeavors in its inviting space is the multi-talented, Erica Sutherlin. In comparison to the Icon Bob Devin Jones’s much lauded twenty year stint leading his brainchild, Ms Sutherlin, on board since July 1st, is still in the honeymoon phase. Filling the shoes of towering Bob Devin Jones, is not a small feat, but Sutherlin
has already managed to dig her sturdy soles firmly into the soil of The Studio at 620.
Ms. Sutherlin has been an intermittent fixture at The Studio for many years, developing from her strong roots there. Her first appearance on the Studio’s cozy stage was in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf, by Nitozake Shange, and expanded to more acting and directing there as well as in the Tampa Bay area. Thus, Erica Sutherlin is not unfamiliar to Tampa Bay, or even to Studio 620, but helming this artistic gem is a new,
exciting step for her and for the Tampa Bay area.
Several years ago, after a quick visit to her sister, who encouraged her to stay, she laughed and said “I could never live here.” That was long before St. Pete had developed its vision as a city of more cultural, social, and artistic offerings, become a magnet for artists, and before Ms. Sutherlin connected with The Studio at 620. It took a few incarnations in the city to promote a complete turn around and love the place she once felt she couldn’t live in. It’s been a circuitous route back to St Pete for Ms. Sutherlin.
Upon her graduation from Illinois Southern University, she informed her mom she was going to be an actress and was moving to Chicago. Her mother, as mothers do in such moments, reminded her daughter that she hated the cold. Ms Sutherlin moved to a different acting mecca, L.A. Apparently, having her mother’s wisdom, Ms Sutherlin understood something else about herself. She knew she could never live as a “struggling artist.” She was too sensible, too creative, and too resourceful for life in a garret, cadging bits of work when she could. Her training at both ISU, and later at
Erica
the University of Southern California, taught her that you don’t wait for work to come to you. You make it happen. Thus, after one year, not choosing to let more time go by in the unpredictable life that LA. offers, she decided to try St Pete. That was when she first found Bob Devin Jones and Studio 620. Or perhaps, that was when Bob Devin Jones and his studio found her. A poetess, she was often there presenting her spoken-word presentations, or acting, and later, directing. Her presence became more known around town, and her talents drawn upon by other theatres.
But the pull to California drew her. This time, it was graduate school at U.S.C. for studies in the cinematic arts of film and TV production. She told herself she’d give L.A. five years. By graduation, taking place online, the pandemic had hit, shutting down the town. She opted for survival. She could make films anywhere. Hence, the return to St Pete, this time with yet more tools in her skill bag. Leaving L.A. was not easy. Her sister had moved. With no family around her, she moved in with a friend, but feeling her plans had gone awry, she cried for the first three months. Then she got
herself together. She went right back to Studio 620 and Bob Devin Jones, whom she calls Bobby, or alternately, ‘my heart.’ He had conveyed to her that she always had a place there. For an artist to know there is a safe harbor they can always return to, a place to grow and be nurtured, is a rare gift that few artists get to experience. As she said, it is"powerful.” She was welcomed as fully as she had been the first time. By then she’d already started transitioning more into directing. Aside from her many efforts at the Studio, in 2022 she directed The Dutchman, by Amira Baraka. Recently, she directed Ragtime,The Musical In the Park, and Color Purple, all for American stage.
One day, sitting alone in the space that felt as familiar as her living room, maybe more so, it struck her that The Studio had been, and was, her home. There had been talk that Bob Devin Jones, after twenty years, in order to move on to other interests, was planning to relinquish his role as Artistic Director. In a moment of insight she said to herself, “I should helm this space.” She went to BDJ and asked if her name could be put in the hat for consideration. He replied to her
“There is no hat. It’s you.”
Ms. Sutherlin is no slouch. As she self-proclaims, “I am an artist, but I am also business-minded.” Though she looks like ‘a kid’ still, her resume belies her youthful demeanor. Adding film skills to her acting, directing, poetry, dance and teaching background, she wasted no time creating her own film company. At the moment, her production company has been hired by Creative Pinellas to make a series of films for students regarding gun safety. Students will soon be learning, for example, that many shootings occur with stolen guns, often by those that have not been locked up properly. Her film-making has included the film, Kirk Franklin’s A Gospel Christmas, for Lifetime Networks, after being selected for their mentoring program, Broader Faces.
Capitalizing on her training and school associations, she was a co-writer for the film, Voodoo Macbeth, produced jointly by USC and Warner Brothers. She praises USC for the work ethic and opportunities it provided through peer projects, where she was able to develop a limited dramatic series, Sugar Land, and helped to develop and produce the sitcom Un-
schooled. That writing led to narrative features for Village Roadshow and the United Kingdom-based production company, iGeneration. There are also her contributions to published works, via her essays and poetry. In 2022 she received the Creative Pinellas Individual Artist Recovery Grant, she was selected as a Fellow with the Advancing Racial Equity on Non-Profit Boards, class of 2022. Mayor Kenneth T. Welch appointed her to the City of Saint Petersburg Arts Advisory Committee in 2023, and recently as chair. She is graduate of the class of 2024 Leadership St. Pete. These accomplishments reflect her belief in herself as well as a pattern of growth from each experience. She brings all this amazing achievement to The Studio at 620. Most people entering the Studio immediately feel comfortable. It doesn’t impose the formality of many other cultural institutions. The glass front letting you see glimpses of the art work on exhibit, the relaxing lighting, and the warmth of those greeting you— primarily volunteers—are all welcoming. You will run into friends and neighbors for a chat before the show, in it’s small entrance area, at its short bar, or on the sidewalk at intermission.
Continued on page 29
VISUAL ART
By Robin O’Dell
One of the highlights of art happenings in the Tampa Bay region is when area museums join forces to produce the Skyway exhibitions. 2024 marks the third iteration. For this version, five area art institutions are simultaneously presenting artwork by artists that live in the Tampa Bay region. It is always a wonderful journey seeing new work by familiar artists who have lived and exhibited in the area for decades and to experience current art from a host of new names.
INSPIRATION
ELISABETH CONDON
www.elisabethcondon.com
One of the artists in the former category is Elisabeth Condon (born Los Angeles, 1959) who is exhibiting at both USF’s Contemporary Art Museum through November 23rd and The Ringling through January 2025. Her BFA is from the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design and her MFA The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, and from 2003 to 2014 she was a tenured professor the University of South Florida in Tampa. For the last twenty years, we who live in Florida have been able to enjoy her innovative artwork. Condon’s Florida
exhibitions included Tampa’s Beaker Gallery (2003, 2004), Emerson Dorsch Gallery, Miami (2012, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery in Fort Myers (2009), and the Tampa Museum of Art (2017), among so many others. She now spends her time between New York and Tampa.
It’s difficult not to enjoy Condon’s effervescent paintings. Her dynamic use of color, layered abstraction, and the blending of Eastern and Western artistic traditions produce vibrant and fluid compositions that evoke a sense
of movement and transformation.
She draws inspiration from various sources including Chinese scroll painting, vintage decor, and Postwar abstraction. Building on a multilayered poured base that adds depth and movement, real and fantastic nature bursts forth in such exuberance that it has been likened to Glam Rock. Flamboyant and fun, they capture you with their energy and cheerfulness, then keep you engaged with insight and dimension. Her paintings put forth the idea of landscape as a
flowing construction of fantastical ideas, a current of vivacity and enthusiasm.
One of the defining features is her use of color. She uses rich and saturated hues that give her works depth and light. Thin washes of paint interplay with thicker strokes to suggest the processes of nature and time.
In her words: “What I hope my work offers others is what I seek in it myself: surprise. By surprise I mean a new way to view something, its material construction, how one thinks about it that comes through the work itself. I am looking for more than what’s expected. This doesn’t mean innovation but rather deep improvisation that feels weird and exciting. It could be a change in scale, in color, a pattern. I like how a painting can creep up on you then you don’t stop thinking about it.”
She is the recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters and Sculptors grant, a Pollack Krasner Foundation Grant, and the Florida Individual Artist Fellowship. Her paintings are in the permanent collections of the Hudson River Museum, Tampa Museum of Art, Perez Art Museum in Miami, United States Embassy in Beijing, among others.
Upcoming opportunities to follow her work include the Untitled art fair in December in Miami, and a solo exhibition at the artist-run space Fiendish Plots in Lincoln, Nebraska, as well as an exciting public art project. Ever improvisational and pushing boundaries, these new works will include her established methods of pours and images on the themes of East meets West, while also playing with wet lines of color and new polymer pours incorporating found shells and debris from the beach, a place that has been on all of our minds these days post storms.
Her advice for emerging artists? “As a young artist, some advice I received resonated and some did not, because one’s path is one’s own. So in the largest sense I say, embrace the course that makes you feel excited and free, and give it everything you’ve got.”
Good advice for everything important in life...give it everything you’ve got. •
CALL FOR ARTISTS
Wreath Art Fundraiser Submission
We invite artists to participate in an upcoming art show at the VJR Professional Center with the theme of “Wreaths” to raise funds for artists affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton. We are looking for wreath artworks that reflect the themes of resilience, celebration, and community.
Submission Categories:
• Pre-Thanksgiving Wreaths: Deadline for submission is November 15th, 2025.
• Pre-Chanukah or Christmas Wreaths: Deadline for submission is December 5th, 2025.
This event will not only provide an opportunity to showcase your work but also support the artist community in their recovery efforts. Submissions can be in any medium—traditional, mixed media, or experimental. All wreaths should maintain the symbolic circular form, but we encourage artists to explore their creativity within this theme.
Please contact Susanne Sabbatino at susannesabbatino@gmail.com for submission guidelines or any questions.
The VJR Professional Center is a class A office building located directly on 17-92 in downtown Maitland.
Susanne’s “foxtail hair wreath” by Shawna of Divine Textures in Gulfport
Whimsical charm in an “augmented” Artsi reality, with a high-end stylistic charm and a pick of the litter, fun, Phartsi kind of way. With all the class in the world ArtsiPhartsi in Tampa etches out a piece of the 4,000 block of S. MacDill Avenue like a beacon of what’s good in the world.
If you had the opportunity to stock a retail store/art gallery, what would you do? Well, a lot would depend on your personality, right? Enter Carmen. Carmen Smith Barkett is the owner/curator of ArtsiPhartsi
and her personality is, well, a smile. And, when you enter ArtsiPhartsi, it’s as if everything is smiling at you. It’s uplifting, energetic and beautiful. Just like Carmen’s smile. It’s a place you really wouldn’t mind living, day in and day out.
According to their website;
“The quality of the artwork that ArtsiPhartsi displays and the artists' specially selected for their creativity and craftsmanship are paramount. What's remarkable is Carmen's ability to discern who the most talented artists are throughout the decades
since ArtsiPhartsi first opened in 1991. By staying true to her deep knowledge of fun fine art, Carmen makes extraordinary and beautiful things available to us.”
With ArtsiPhartsi’s new gallery space, outdoor patios, decks, porches and winding secret passageway indoor retail/gallery space it’s like a treasure hunt, and there’s plenty of treasure to be found. Speaking of gold and diamonds, ArtsiPhartsi was transformed into a pirate’s paradise during Gasparilla. Pirate outfits, boots, hats, treasure chests
and beads, beads, beads and more beads, etc. The biggest beads ever to be seen. Envious beads! You could find whatever a good pirate would need to secure a fair berth at Gasparilla.
ArtsiPhartsi’s inclination to “go with the flow”, to alter its stock to fit the celebration or holiday is a testament to why it’s been so successful for so long. This holiday season visit ArtsiPhartsi to find some treasure to pass to all of your shipmates.
The smile comes with, no charge!
4002 S. MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL
Gasparilla Video Janelle Martinez of Great Day LIVE
"A DOZEN ANGELS CONSCRIPTED TO DANCE ON THE HEAD OF A PIN...” "BY A CRUEL TWIST OF FATE" AND FATE, (MIND YOU) ... IS NEVER ACTUALLY CRUEL, OR INHERENTLY BENIGN IT JUST IS... FATE! IT’S JUST WHAT HAPPENS... IT IS IN POINT OF FACT WHAT IS HAPPENING AND "YES VIRGINIA," FATE IS ALWAYS PRESCIENT. ADDITIONALLY IF YOU CAN FIANCE YOURSELF TO THE VERY NOTION THAT FATE IS WHAT ACCUMULATES OVER THE INDIFFERENT WELTER OF TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCE
AND UNLIKE KARMA FATE IS NOT INSTANT, NOR DOES IT HAVE THAT SANCTIMONIOUS SMIRK THAT OFTEN ACCOMPANIES KARMA IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR FATE TO GLOAT... THANKFULLY IT IS MINDFUL OF SINCERITY
SO HERE WE ARE (YET AGAIN) FATED TO ELECT SOME FATED PERSON TO THE HIGHEST SEAT IN THE LAND
PEONAGE - by bob devin jones
AND THIS TIME WE DO NOT HAVE, THE RECUMBENT ALLITERATION OF BLANK VERSE TO HARBOR OUR FEARS OR CAPITOL ASPIRATIONS... SO, ALAS
WE NEEDS MUST GET IT RIGHT... AND THIS TIME THIS TIME, I THINK WE WILL... GET IT RIGHT! AND SORT THROUGH ALL THIS MIASMA
THAT MANIFESTS ITSELF IN OUR MODIFIED DEMOCRACY
THERE ARE A LOT OF PETITIONS ON THE TABLE AND FOR WHOMEVER SITS AT THAT DESK IT IS A LARGE GREEDY STACK AND AT THE VERY TOP OF THE STACK OF PETITIONS
ONE IS ENTITLED
“WHAT IS OWED IN AMERICA (ACTUALLY WAY PAST DUE) IS SOME OF SORT REPARATIVE JUSTICE”, "JUSTICE"
JUSTICE FOR "THE FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE"
JUSTICE FOR "THE BLACK PEOPLE," AND JUSTICE FOR "THE GAYS" (WHO ARE ALSO PEOPLE)
I’LL START WITH THESE THREE INITIALLY
A FULL LIST OF ALL THOSE IN THE REPARATIVE JUSTICE QUEUE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
REPARATIVE JUSTICE OR SOME SORT OF LITIGATED MERCY IF YOU WILL, AND IF YOU WILL NOT I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND, I DO AS I HAVE HAD TO STAND UNDER AND ADJUST MY MIND SPACE (FEELINGS) TO THE FOLLY THAT “ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL" IT’S A LOVELY NOTION, NOVEL I GRANT YOU HOWEVER NOBODY REALLY BELIEVES THAT ANYMORE (WE’LL TAKE IT ON FAITH THAT AT LEAST THOMAS JEFFERSON BELIEVED IT WHEN HE PENNED IT BEFORE THE LAST, LAST SUPPER) FROM AN IDEA APPROPRIATED FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON.
SO NOW I (CURRENTLY) JUST UNDER 70 YEARS (SEVEN DECADES) OF HOPEFUL IGNORANCE IGNORANCE WITH ENOUGH EYES
WIDE OPEN AND IGNORANCE WITH ENOUGH EYES WIDE SHUT I HAVE LEARNED TO LEARN MYSELF HOW TO LISTEN AND LISTEN WITH NOT JUST A "RYE SMILE" (ACTUALLY MORE LIKE PUMPERNICKEL) AND THE OLDER I BECOME I BECOME OLDER... FEATURE THAT I BECAME OLDER AND MORE NUANCED... INTENTIONAL IN MY LISTENING ESSENTIALLY I LEARNED HOW TO SHUT UP! BUT THAT DAY OF RECKONING IS YET AGAIN UPON US LIKE THE DAY THE MUSIC SIGHED THE ANGELS IN AMERICA HOWEVER WERE NEVER OUR “BETTER ANGELS" AS LINCOLN PROFFERED IN HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS RATHER THE ANGELS IN AMERICA HAD FALLEN... FROM SOME OTHER WHERE, GRABBED ACTUALLY AND THESE ANGELS WITH SULLEN GLEE WERE STOMPING AROUND AMERICA IN DOC MARTENS -- AND ALL THEIR SHOELACES WERE UNTIED!
d-gallerie contemporary art
Discover, Collect, Inspire with D-Gallerie
D-Gallerie is a third-generation contemporary art gallery dedicated to bringing inspiring art to your spaces. With over 50 talented artists from around the globe, we offer a curated collection that speaks to all — whether you’re a seasoned collector or just beginning your art journey. Our commitment to quality, integrity, and personalized service means each visit is a chance to connect with art in a meaningful way. Explore, collect, and create a home filled with inspiration, confidence, and warmth at D-Gallerie.
Featured Artists:
• Amber Goldhammer • Abby Elizabeth • Felix Burgos
• iBOMS • KAWS • Ricardo Reyes • Ruth Mulvie • Shepard Fairey • Tristan Eaton • WhisBe
contact: info@d-gallerie.com shop: www.d-gallerie.com visit us: 1234 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. St. Petersburg, FL. 33705
In the Gallery:
Left: “Circus Practice” by Yuka Ikebuchi
Bottom: “Paris Lights” by Willow C. Wright
Exhibitions include:
Student/Faculty Art Show presented by The Gallery, Everyday Encounters by Yuka Ikebuchi, Square Roots by Mark Lembo, Main Street Bridge by Susan Husky, and Think Big by Elizabeth Ventura
Reception & Awards: November 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Visit the website for more info.
Display & Live Auction November 4-December 15 View a variety of decorated trees and bid on your favorites! Proceeds will benefit the Tom Jones Tuition Assistance Fund, which assists qualified families with summer camp tuition. For the Holidays December 14 & 15
Attending any event at The Studio somehow lets one feel they have an investment in this space. Volunteering and/or a small annual membership fee is another way to invest and get member discounts.
The brilliance of making The Studio at 620 a hub for so many artistic expressions, has always been one of its strengths, and bringing diverse artists in the area together, another. That won’t be lost. Under Erica Sutherlin, prior stalwarts such as Keep St. Pete Lit’s monthly Wordier that Thou, where writers share their work, Open Mic, for the area’s poets, or Radio Night, where short plays presented live, complete with sound effects, go out over the air waves, have once again been solidified. The various musical performances, from Classical to Jazz and all in between, will still be represented in a steady stream. Most involved will be local performers or artists who had their roots in the Tampa Bay area, and have now returned. Coming up, already highlighting the feminine aspects of art and the new leadership, are Ladies of Jazz.
Freddie Hughes from The Gallery at Creative Pinellas has been brought in to expand contacts with local artists, and as a curator for visual exhibits. Ms Sutherlin has created a calendar of events for the season so folks can make plans in advance. With an artistic background that spans all art forms, I’m excited for what innovative programs will be on the horizon.
As we spoke, she had just finished co-directing the play The Light, by Loy A. Web, which opened to a full house at The Studio. I first introduced myself to Ms Sutherlin, after a performance of Passover, which she directed in The Studio a year ago, with me still in thrall by the mesmerizing effect of the play. Passover takes place on one existential street corner where two young black men, as in the play “Waiting for Godot,” seem trapped, yet waiting for something; afraid to cross an invisible barrier, but waiting to move on. All three actors cast were terrific,, but most of the burden fell on the two leads, (one who happened to be the understudy that night) who needed to keep our attention in what, on the surface, often seemed like random street banter. To hold an audience’s
interest in a play of limitations of settings, characters and plot, the actors need to be inventive, creative, make unpredictable choices, and trust in those choices. As director, Ms Sutherlin, clearly had a hand in inspiring, sparking the creative juices, allowing exploration, and giving confidence and guidance. Ms. Sutherlin, in simpler terms said that she felt it was the director’s job “to let people play.” For her, directing stage work is taking the journey with the actor. Striving to get them to another level. As a film director, her eye needs to be more focused on technical aspects such as the color theme, or more time spent collaborating with teams of people all working towards the overall vision.
The Studio’s new leader is a Black female and she says, of course, she can’t help but see the world through that lens. She wants The Studio to be an incubator for art that is new, edgy, quirky, less traditional. She is especially interested in how various art forms intersect; how, for instance, the digital medium and film can be combined with other artistic expressions. She is interested in art that addresses “how we heal, individually, and collectively, perhaps let the viewer sit in moments of discomfort, to be able to say, ‘I saw me in that’, to see ourselves reflected.” She happens to also be a fan of comedies and car chases. Her goal ultimately is for The Studio at 620 to retain i’s sense of community.
Ms Sutherlin is aware of the gift Bob Devin Jones has bestowed upon her. She does not take it lightly, but she knows she has built a background of training, a body of work, and enough varied interests in the arts, to be ready for it. Just as she approaches her direction of plays, Ms Sutherlin is approaching her new leadership role looking to find and express humanity, to discover and convey passion. She says, of working with actors, that she “likes to breath with them.” I suspect she’ll apply the same approach to those who choose to take advantage of the many offerings of this unique space. I think in each moment of each artistic endeavor in this very special home for her and so many, artists or audience members, she’ll be breathing with us. •
Separating the Worry Above from the Worry Below
By Thomas Sayers Ellis
Ilive my signifying, unrhymed, in St. Petersburg, but I am writing this scrambled treatise in Tallahassee, the tall hassle of paradise, the state capitol of Florida, the Sunshine State. I’ve come to escape the wind and water. Milton, the most literary hurricane to date. I am aware of the irony, but I leave it to you to determine which of the two blind figures I speak, the navel or the eye, the writer or the weather. Like the fixed fates of absolute knowledge, anachronism and air mass strengthen both. I do not belong to the Secret Order of Prude Frocks. I plan to ask a favor of the nightingales, to confront the autumn of Apeneck Sweeney’s animalistic materialism, to adjust Prospero’s radio station of operas, the unreal wasteland. Fact checking the pages of yet another failed escape, I ignored Debby and wrote during Helene. A few enjambed evacuation routes, Garamond’s Alexandrines, but nothing worth keeping because, on the way to the last real people, the rural table of contents of North Carolina, a new chapter paraded through paradise like a torus field with a foamy fingerprint.
A Hiroshima haircut for the home of the Rays, I was asleep when Sweeney Todd knifed the Trop. A muckraker of the imagination, I was Icarus. The whole construct fell like a crane from an unfinished high-rise. A cone of spaghetti models, blood around the eye of the sonogram, televised. Because 126 warnings are a preface to the birth of war, a Greek friend in Tarpon Springs helped me stuff tornadoes into a Trojan Horse. Air done in by Ariel, a Barbadian Caliban bugged my ear, “The hurricane does not roar in pentameters.” Interpretation: My verse (the non-traditional oral ruckus, those parts of my tongue that had not been straightened) was not safe. Prettier than darkness, phantom time is a mayhem as made up as the Middle Ages. I’ll be Tea Cake. You, Janie. Time to swim from sea to shining sea, rescue the practitioners of inconvenience and leave behind anyone dressed for Silver Woe. Once there was a bloom
who memorized the graveyard, every lost paradise, including the arguments.
Super spreader of tropes and tropical spray days, we are more than oblivious readers, couples walking dogs as they leave arks. We’ve seen the rule breaker of skies, the morning star of Cliff Notes fall like a comet
psychopath, same war cry as the wind that whistles Dixie. Naples, the mobile home of the tempest, bookmarked twice. Ian and Irma with joint custody of Iago’s driver’s license.
Due to the uppercase fame of FEMA, there are no more epics to be made, no Homeric homers, not here, where Poseidon has no torch key.
by relief funds. In Florida, nature has a habit of ripping pages from her notebook just to edit the coastline. While we were busy looking at our pagan devices, a whole civilization of cathedrals was murdered with a manuscript and several of Old Possums’ practical cats, no sympathy for the victims of her pawed purge. Milton’s
in the great drama of composition. Wrong lens attached; I want to recede. The calm before the storm is a cover story; the chemicals overhead have evolved, their white trails zig zag like broken highways. I’m like a hurler in the belly of Melville’s deep mob, the primate of canonical climate, a four-seam negative cleansing crossing the plate like a sweeper. Water vapor like worry emanates from the loop of the pupil not just the lip of the pool. Way down in the gulf of self, there will always be a torn curtain of fear, a blowout kit of uncertainty streaming like stress. A cyclone path like a
Closer to my inner Pan, the panhandle of pandemonium, that gate has closed. I’m not so worried about the lending library known as landfall, the harmful hand of Occupation waving like spineless yucca greeting the live oak of sidewalk furniture. I no longer trust the classics. Like the ouch of Okeechobee, one infidel fits all. I am, simply, looking for a great truth to peel. Waiter, bring me oranges. I’ll pass on the boarded windows, contaminated water, and overturned coffee cups. I’ve felt the fatigue of writing in cafes, the fat glue that binds everything to a bagel, the tea spilled
litter projected to be a Cat 4 or Cat 5 of surging projectiles; the whole litter box tossed onto the beachfront like clumps of unscented sand. Passed over, marked safe, same blood above the wetland door as before the flood, our geographical loyalty contains faith-based anxiety, so we prepare and pray, waiting till the end of the seasonal ordeal for one of those “aha moments,” louder than the no in Seminole, to make the whole Closed Mic, sheltered in place, appear anti-literary and alive again. •
Thomas Sayers Ellis
The author of Skin, Inc.: Identity Repair Poems, Crank Shaped Notes and Paradise | Paradise Layered, a book of photographs. Ellis is a photographer, writer, bandleader and the recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship for poetry. In 2023, he was named the first Photo Laureate of St. Petersburg.
"Wherein the Just Shall Dwell" / Venice, Florida / TSE / 2023
By
Carlo DiOrio
Ambition
My ambition is to work the words “Christ on a bike!” into a poem. But no doubt I will end up accomplishing nothing much more than managing to eke out a modicum of wonder as I sit at sunset and spot just the right amount of wantonly accumulated cumulus to catch a bit of orange and pink and gold.
In Florida
In Florida, nature never seems far from reclaiming it’s right to rule.
Cities may expand, appearing to cement ever-wider spheres of effluence.
Yet cities also decay, while nature sprouts and seaways surge, steadily, and winds whip, wickedly and righteous.
A bit more brazenly in Florida, less openly elsewhere, patiently steadfast, nature plays the long game.
POETICA
Bed Time
Head hits pillow. Echoes of song snippets lap the subconscious. A distant lover beckons once more, weaving fragments of
past lives, of dreams, of a dream. But an erudite Aphrodite has no place here. Only the slow, doltish workings of a clock, speaking
now with the faucet: Ticktick, dripdrip, ticktick, dripdrip, ticktick … up until the dependably panicked alarm clock shouts them down. But
what of the silent slumber-time drama, those personal details stowed godknowswhere until another night, another dreamy fragment to emerge, briefly.
How Old Was He?
When anybody dies those left behind are often quizzed: How old was he? Did he suffer much? Was it one or two shooters? When after all there isn’t much to say about one’s life or its end, save for taxonomic surveys of component parts and what they constructed. And in truth there’s mostly the unspoken concern — casting aside others’ artifacts and detritus — of where one’s own remnants will point at the appointed hour.
Carlo DiOrio / Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement / TSE / 2024
Carlo DiOrio is a longtime journalist whose poems have appeared in publications including California Quarterly and CaKe, A Literary Journal. A Philadelphia native, he lived for many years in Los Angeles and now resides in Largo, Florida.
By Mary Khosh and John Curtis
The Heroes Journey, described by Campbell, best describes Dameron. She has traveled from a place of safety, encountered adversity, conquered, and returned with gifts of knowledge.
Her journey began as a child when her nursery schoolteacher mother noticed she could not keep scrap paper available in their house because it would end up with a picture drawn on it. This journey has given the gift of freedom of expression to the artistic child within countless St. Petersburg students to learn that our craft, no matter the form it has taken, is based on what the masters did centuries ago.
A degree in psychology and art at Tulane University included a study-abroad program in her junior year which led her back to Paris in 1977 upon graduation, living a block away from Sartre, teaching English and studying art for ten years, some of it in Amsterdam, and finally in Portugal where she married and had three children.
Settling back in St. Petersburg her skills and vision grew with her narrative paintings inspired by fairy tales, legends, and architypes, just as Campbell wrote seventy years ago. We are the only narrative animal which has led to our success in this world… transmitting culture.
Artists are all telling narratives whether by words, musically, or visually, and the backbone structures used by visual artists were well established by the 1600’s.
Dameron learned this foundation in Europe and bought it home to us.
She has a “deep love of the horizonal line” (right to left and vice versa) that divides her landscapes depicting the beauty of nature conveying rest, calmness and peace, as opposed to the
The Artistic Journey of Carol Dameron
“Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste of time to be asking the question when you are the answer.”
–
Joseph Campbell
vertical line (top to bottom and vice versa) that creates the mood of grandeur or spirituality. There are three other lines.
Rick Yearick
To ignore the rule of the golden mean, seen in all great paintings and photographs, leaves one with a feeling of unease. Four right triangles divide the composition in such a way to give the confidence the painting depicts the world as our brains see it.
Whereas paintings of old would often be dark and moody, Damaron’s are uplifting, a beacon of positivity and joy. Her shift in perspective led her to embrace abstract impressionism, exploring emotions and moods in a more vibrant and dynamic way.
In addition to her own artistic pursuits, she has always been dedicated to teaching. While her teaching style is classical, she always encourages her students to find their own creative voices. She says “Art is just who I am. Art is my identity. If you are called to do it, it’s just what you do.”
Her work can currently be seen at Articles Gallery and will also be in the Morean Art Center’s members show during the holidays. She has an impressive 96-inch diptych of Sisyphus in the permanent collection of the Polk Museum, and a captivating oil on wood, “Devil up a Tree”, in the permanent collection of the St Petersburg Fine Arts Museum.
Dameron finds the local arts community incredibly inspiring. “There are lots of great artists out there. This is a wonderful supportive community for art.” •
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell
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.
SELECT FLORIDA WEST COAST ARTISTS ARTIST REGISTRY
727-599-7144 IG: @pangelatierney Tricia@ptierneymoses.com
Carrie Jadus cjadus@gmail.com
727-318-3223
Jadus is a Tampa Bay Artist, her work is
Krporter@centralartclasses.com
727-481-6612
Central Art Classes: The Downtown destination for art classes. All ages. Taught by professional artist K.R. Porter at the ArtLofts.
