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.

‘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

HINE Mural festival co-founder Leon Bedore aka Tes One has a message for commissioners who defunded Creative Pinellas.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay artist Leon ‘Tes One’ Bedore brings a heavy heart to career-spanning art opening

‘Good Intentions’ opens at Morean Arts Center on Sept. 10 and runs through Oct. 25.

by Ray Roa September 7, 2022August 4, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Paint it, BIG: The 2017 SHINE Mural Festival starts Oct. 5

Sixteen artists to create public murals in St. Pete.

by Bill DeYoung October 3, 2017April 5, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

MUSE Arts Ambassador Award given to Leon “Tes One” Bedore

Ruling St. Pete with an iron (er, tin?) spray can.

by Caitlin Albritton January 11, 2017July 27, 2025

News & Views

Transforming Tampa Bay: Stay curious

by Linda Saul-Sena March 10, 2016July 14, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

SHINE on! Tampa’s Pep Rally Inc. to reveal new mural at Green Bench tonight

by Julie Garisto September 5, 2015September 17, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

Wall-to-wall luminosity — the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival

Local muralists are joined by peers from all over for a two-week celebration.

by Megan Voeller August 26, 2015May 12, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

ArtPop Tampa billboard winners announced

Their works will be up high for all to see!

by Julie Garisto June 7, 2015August 17, 2023

Arts & Entertainment

Do This: The Weekend Top 10

Bolts playoffs game, Star Wars fun, cool art, a beach party and John Leguizamo top this week’s events.

by Julie Garisto April 24, 2015August 17, 2023

Arts & Entertainment

True bromance — Tes One and Bask at CASS

Pound and a Bear Hug reunites the artists for a redux of their first joint show.

by Julie Garisto April 22, 2015January 3, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Full House: St. Pete art fans flock to a house show of a different sort

Some of St. Petersburg’s most celebrated artists showed works in a very different atmosphere.

by Scott Harrell June 23, 2014March 8, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Friday’s Do This: Bluelucy Ybor’s first show

Bluelucy Ybor opens with an exceptional assortment for the weekend-long show Misc.

by Julie Garisto June 20, 2014August 17, 2023

Arts & Entertainment

Do This: Lazlo Horváth at HCC-Ybor Gallery, Florida State Fair, WhigFest Traveling Art Show and more

Plus Rock the Park and the Be Mine Heart Gallery benefit gala.

by Julie Garisto February 6, 2014March 2, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Bluelucy immortalizes a starry-eyed Twiggy

The mural’s vibe and colors were inspired by a piece Chad Mize had created in 2013.

by Julie Garisto February 3, 2014December 5, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

St.Pete artist Bask decorates for Iron Man 3’s The Mandarin

How the work of a local artist wound up in the super sequel — and in the collection of Robert Downey, Jr.

by Megan Voeller May 2, 2013May 28, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Greetings from Art Basel

Checking in with Bay area artists and galleries who exhibited at Miami’s massive art fair.

by Megan Voeller December 13, 2012December 27, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

Best Genre-Defying Artist

Tes One

by Megan Voeller September 19, 2012June 5, 2022

Arts & Entertainment

Street smarts

Tes One, BASK and a posse of prominent urbanites get legit recognition — finally.

by Megan Voeller June 7, 2012September 17, 2024

News & Views

Tes One makes a stand for Trayvon

The artist created a limited edition print called “Stand Our Ground.” Proceeds go to Justice for Trayvon Martin.

by Julie Garisto March 28, 2012September 28, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

On the Radar: Black Friday Art and Fashion Show, Seminole Heights’ Two-Wheel Rollout and George Lopez

by Julie Garisto November 23, 2010April 20, 2025

Margarita Wars is now Tequila & Tiki Takedown - More tequila, more fun! - Get tix here

tes one

‘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

Tampa Bay artist Leon ‘Tes One’ Bedore brings a heavy heart to career-spanning art opening

Paint it, BIG: The 2017 SHINE Mural Festival starts Oct. 5

MUSE Arts Ambassador Award given to Leon “Tes One” Bedore

Transforming Tampa Bay: Stay curious

SHINE on! Tampa’s Pep Rally Inc. to reveal new mural at Green Bench tonight

Wall-to-wall luminosity — the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival

ArtPop Tampa billboard winners announced

Do This: The Weekend Top 10

True bromance — Tes One and Bask at CASS

Full House: St. Pete art fans flock to a house show of a different sort

Friday’s Do This: Bluelucy Ybor’s first show

Do This: Lazlo Horváth at HCC-Ybor Gallery, Florida State Fair, WhigFest Traveling Art Show and more

Bluelucy immortalizes a starry-eyed Twiggy

St.Pete artist Bask decorates for Iron Man 3’s The Mandarin

Greetings from Art Basel

Best Genre-Defying Artist

Street smarts

Tes One makes a stand for Trayvon

On the Radar: Black Friday Art and Fashion Show, Seminole Heights’ Two-Wheel Rollout and George Lopez