ARTS & CULTURE
Shine On, St. Pete PHOTOS/ST. PETE ART ALLIANCE
NOMAD CLAN/2025 3rd Ave. S. BY CINDY STOVALL
As a point of general consensus, murals are the artistic signature of St. Pete. They are evidence of the creative vibrancy of our beautiful ‘Burg for the all the world to see. They’re the invitation to look deeper – to see all the amazing things that are being created behind the massive concrete canvases in our many galleries, studios, neighborhood enclaves and museums. Murals have become an integral part of who we are as a city. So, it should come as no surprise that the Shine Mural Festival, produced and hosted by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, has become one of the biggest and most anticipated events of the year. What’s incredible is that this meteoric rise has come about in just five short years. This year’s festival opens on October 18 and hosts related events in partnership with many other businesses through the big finale and reveal on October 26. Originally a collaboration of several incredibly innovative local artists, the Shine Mural Festival has grown at an exponential pace with the facilitation, funding and infrastructure provided by the Arts Alliance. That, and because of the shear quality of the work. The images are vibrant and meticulously curated. They are exquisitely detailed. They are as evocative as they are varied, always stimulating contemplation and conversation. Murals are also the gift that keeps on giving. Regular guided bicycle tours and walking audio tours hosted by Florida CraftArt and narrated by a local movie star (Eugenie Bondurant), go on regularly throughout the year. The tours have figured prominently in the city’s marketing and tourism plan and they support the Alliance’s efforts to keep Shine growing.
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StPeteLifeMag.com
September/October 2019
And the people come - from around the corner, and around the world. As I set out to write this piece, I had the privilege of speaking with two individuals who have been involved since the inception of the festival. Interestingly enough, the role of both pioneers has completely changed and evolved since that first amazing year. A Muralist One of the original organizers of Shine is artist Palehorse, AKA Chris Parks. In the early years, Chris devoted himself to organizational and curatorial responsibilities that have contributed to Shine’s current success. This year, for the very first time, Palehorse will be a participating muralist. “I’m very excited to be a part of Shine as an artist,’” says Parks. Palehorse has been
