Visual artist Vanessa Cunto Credit: Photo via Creative Pinellas

Every Year, artistic hub Creative Pinellas doles out a handful of grants to St. Petersburg-based artists that are hitting the groove in their respective mediums, whether they’re up-and-coming, or seasoned veterans of the creative world.

This year’s crop includes

Print St. Pete founder Kaitlin Crockett
Oil panter Harriet Monzon-Aguirre
Poet and Florida Man Tyler Gillespie
Visual artist Vanessa Cunto
professional fire performer Gaby Rosa
poetry and creative nonfiction writer Antonia Lewandowski
Filmmaker and photographer Luci Westphal
Nonprofit founder David McCauley
Learned oil painter Fran Failla
Multifaceted poet Thomas Sayers Ellis

These creatives will showcase their work at the Emerging Artist opening reception, where folks will get a first look (and chance to purchase) the grant-funded works.

“The Emerging Artist Grant aims to support and build meaningful relationships among the outstanding creative artists in Pinellas County and their audiences,” the local art agency writes about its annual grant. “It provides a solid foundation to nurture the creative community and elevate Pinellas as an art and cultural destination that draws tourists worldwide.”

From May 18-June 1, Creative Pinellas will also host an “Art Talk” with each one its grant recipients on select dates, where local art watchers can delve into their inspirations, mediums and current pieces.

There’s no cover for the Creative Pinellas Emerging Artist Opening Reception on Thursday, May 9 inside the Gallery at Creative Pinellas in Largo.
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This article appears in May 2-8, 2024.