Second Saturday Art Walk in St. Petersburg

July 12, 2015

Last night was our first time doing the Second Saturday Art Walk in St. Petersburg, Florida. And I can’t believe we haven’t done this sooner! We started the evening at our friend Duncan McClellan’s Gallery in the Warehouse Arts District, which is one of the most beautiful and inspirational galleries, working studio, and homes I’ve visited anywhere in the world. Duncan is one of favorite artists in any medium. And, of course, he has impeccable taste in the other artists he shows in his gallery — David Patchen, Hiroshi Yamano, and Lisabeth Sterling are some of my favorites. The clay work of St. Pete artist Rob Giordano was so moving and exceptional that I could not resist taking a piece home!

Then we went on to the Morean Arts Center which was having its member show opening, with some really stunning pieces in all mediums there. Then it was on to Florida CraftArt where some spectacular puppets featuring the Pellone/Barrett Puppet Collection had taken over the gallery — beautiful, spooky, weird (my favorite combination of things.)

There is still so much more to see and we’ll be doing this again sooner rather than later. It reminded me how important it is for a creative person to go on this type of “artist’s date.” In The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, it’s one of her major pieces of advice — that a writer should make time to go out and be inspired by other art forms — or anything that enriches and energizes her creative spirit. I was joyful drifting around from place to place — enjoying paintings, sculptures, glass work, clay, puppets. I don’t think it was any coincidence that I had a great writing morning today.

St. Petersburg Florida is such a vibrant arts community. I love being a part of it. Tampa Bay pals, do put the Art Walk on your calendar! You’ll see some wonderful creations, mingle with other artists and art lovers, and probably find something perfect to take home like I did!