Shine’s 2025 focus on regional artists is a move towards community building

It’s nearly impossible to walk around downtown St. Petersburg without seeing a mural. Artists have painted sharks, spaceships, fetuses, Ella Fitzgerald, and just about anything you can think of across nearly 200 colorful city walls, giving a voice to cultures and communities without saying a word.

But there’s still so much more to say.

Entering its second decade, Shine (stylized all-caps) St. Petersburg Mural Festival is using only regional artists for this year’s new batch of large-scale murals.

St. Pete Arts Alliance’s new director, Helen French, who started at the beginning of August, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that while part of the decision was made after national and international muralists had to evacuate during last year’s hurricane season, it’s a move toward a stronger community.

“Local art does not mean less-than art,” French said. “If we’re talking about an international mural festival that has consistently had local artists seated right next to international, our local artists are no less equal in their skill sets.”

This is also the first year Shine will happen in November rather than the usual dates in October—a permanent change to avoid hurricanes.

Shine typically hosts a small kickoff event and a party on the last day of the festival, featuring live mural paintings and performances by local artists. Details for this year’s kickoff have yet to be announced.

For French, the festival is about making art that locals—especially kids—resonate with.

“They could see themselves reflected there. Someone walking on the street could see, make a connection to a deeper understanding of themselves or humanity,” French told CL.

A decade ago, Shine muralist Michael Vahl saw himself in the work of Derek Donnelly. Walking through St. Pete shortly after moving from Los Angeles, he witnessed Donnelly painting a piece at Mad Craft Brewing Company.

“He was very kind and definitely sparked the idea/flame inside me to try my hand at a large-scale mural. This was over 10 years ago, but I’ll never forget the amazement & inspiration his mural gave me,” Vahl told CL via text.

Donnelly’s kindness led to Vahl’s first Shine piece in 2018, a 23-by-65-foot Aztec-inspired goddess on the Pinellas Trail. He’s since painted dozens of murals around the city.

Vahl’s ultimate goal for his art is to inspire people, whether that is to create or invest themselves in the arts world.

“If we’re able to help those in need, it’s our duty to as artists,” he said.

There is no cover for the SHINE mural festival happening from Nov. 7-16 in St. Petersburg.

The 2025 lineup of Shine Mural Festival artists is not yet public.
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This article appears in Aug 14-20, 2025.