A large, metallic starburst sculpture stands in the foreground of a bright art gallery while visitors view paintings in the background.

Creative Pinellas’ last exhibit at Largo gallery ends next weekend

The publicly defunded arts nonprofit must vacate its office and gallery by Feb. 1.

by Selene San Felice December 29, 2025December 30, 2025

The exhibition themed “From Now to Next” acts as its goodbye celebration as the publicly defunded arts program prepares to close its office and gallery space in Largo by Feb. 1.

News & Views

Tampa Bay’s biggest stories of 2025

It was a hard, weird year of news.

by Selene San Felice and Ray Roa December 26, 2025December 26, 2025

Two people stand in an art gallery between two large, colorful abstract paintings. One person wears a striped shirt and shorts with white spikey hair; the other wears a dark blazer, jeans, and sunglasses.

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: Pinellas arts community celebrates final Arts Annual at Pinewood Cultural Park in Largo

Creative Pinellas, which organizes the popular annual showcase of Pinellas County artists, must vacate the county-owned space in February 2026.

by Jennifer Ring November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Close-up portrait of a smiling woman with short, brown hair and large, light-framed glasses, posing in front of a geometrically patterned backdrop of purple, blue, and red squares.

Arts & Entertainment

Interview: A battle-tested Margaret Murray talks reinventing Creative Pinellas

Arts Annual happens in Largo on Friday, Nov. 21.

by Jennifer Ring November 17, 2025November 17, 2025

A yard sign on green grass in front of a driveway and house. The sign has a teal border and text at the top that reads, “I SUPPORT THE ARTS IN TAMPA BAY.” Below is an image of a mural with colorful flowers, a blue jay, and large white script that says “Better Together.”

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay Arts Passport builds community through Better Together yard signs and in-person events

Proceeds from yard sale signs support the recently defunded Creative Pinellas.

by Emily McLaughlin September 26, 2025September 26, 2025

Two people stand side by side at an art event with tape over their mouths that reads “DON’T SILENCE ART.” The person on the left has short gray hair, glasses, and a black shirt with bold green text that says “Ditch The Default.” The person on the right wears bright yellow tassel earrings, glasses, and a black shirt with a patch design and a sticker that reads “COMMUNITY BEFORE VISITORS.” Blurred attendees and colorful artwork are visible in the background.

News & Views

New documents suggest VSPC might work with Creative Pinellas on new competitive arts tourism grants

The arts nonprofit just laid off four staffers after a September vote to defund its efforts.

by Jennifer Ring September 18, 2025September 18, 2025

Stylized artwork of an alligator partially submerged in water, with only its head and back visible. Above the water, a black sign with bold orange letters reads “WALK-INS WELCOME.” The illustration is done in a rough, textured ink style on a beige background.

Arts & Entertainment

‘Tourism follows culture. Culture does not follow tourism’: Co-founder of St. Pete’s SHINE festival responds to funding cuts with art and a plea

Leon Bedore, aka Tes One, wants to know if he’s doing the ‘art for tourism’ thing right.

by Jennifer Ring September 8, 2025September 8, 2025

Blog header image showing five Pinellas County Commissioners’ headshots side by side, each face centered within its column. From left to right: Vince Nowicki, Chris Latvala, Kathleen Peters, Brian Scott, and Chris Scherer. A thin white border frames the image, with white vertical lines separating each portrait.

Arts & Entertainment

Column: Despite 5-2 vote to defund Creative Pinellas, there might still be time to save the county’s arts nonprofit

244 emails and more than 50 well-researched in-person pleas weren’t enough to save the nonprofit—but the fight might not be not over.

by Jennifer Ring September 6, 2025September 6, 2025

Brian Scott, Chair, speaking at a public meeting while seated at a desk with a microphone, nameplate, papers, gavel, and electronic devices in front of him.

Arts & Entertainment

Column: Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott’s argument to defund Creative Pinellas doesn’t hold water

The nonprofit wasn’t established to fund tourism, but has put art in front of Pinellas County visitors.

By Jennifer RingSeptember 4, 2025September 4, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

St. Pete-Clearwater Airport’s ‘Sightline’ art gallery is now open

Pinellas County artists gain a global audience with new exhibition space.

by Jennifer Ring June 2, 2025July 16, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

At Creative Pinellas, Sam Modder tackles consumerism, greed, status and oppression

‘Source of All Hair, Wearer of All Socks’ is up through Feb. 23.

by Jennifer Ring January 31, 2025August 5, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Creative Pinellas’ Emerging Artists showcase opens this month in Largo

Close to a dozen creatives were chosen, and the reception is on May 9.

by Kyla Fields May 2, 2024July 15, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Spring focus groups aim to shape the future of Pinellas County’s art scene

So far, three meetings on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 are on the books.

by Jennifer Ring January 23, 2024March 20, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Creative Pinellas names St. Petersburg native Margaret Murray as new CEO

The national search was conducted by a committee of six board members and four community advisors.

by Jennifer Ring January 4, 2024April 21, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Pinellas County joins Cultural Planning Group’s new art cities

CPG creates new art cities outside of New York and Chicago. Pinellas County is next.

by Jennifer Ring December 4, 2023February 13, 2025

Arts & Entertainment, Things to Do

More than 75 local artists are part of Creative Pinellas’ Arts Annual, which kicks off this weekend

by Jennifer Ring November 8, 2023

Arts & Entertainment

Creative Pinellas’ new ‘Keepers of Heritage’ exhibit is an homage to Puerto Rico

There’s no charge to see it now through mid-October.

by Ray Roa August 9, 2023January 30, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

Creative Pinellas veteran art show showcases the ‘highly personal work of recovery’

‘Art in Recovery: Artwork from the Sixth Judicial Circuit Adult Drug/Veterans Treatment Court Exhibition’ is on display through July 16.

by Kyla Fields June 21, 2023July 10, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Creative Pinellas hosts an opening reception for its 2023 Emerging Artists

Works from these up-and-coming artists will be on display through July 16.

by Kyla Fields May 2, 2023December 7, 2023

Arts & Entertainment

Creative Pinellas CEO Barbara St. Clair will retire at the end of the year

A Champion of the Arts Retires in Pinellas County.

by Jennifer Ring April 25, 2023April 16, 2025