Best, Brightest New Pinellas Artists Featured In Exhibit

LARGO, FL — Creativity abounds during the 2021 Emerging Artist Exhibition taking place now through Aug. 15 at The Gallery at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo.

Those attending will see fresh visual artworks from Pinellas County rising artists Chelsea Catherine, Nick Davis, Nikki Devereux, John Gascot, Mason Gehring, Gabriella Krousaniotakis and Emily Lee Stehle.

Among the more noticeable pieces on display is Stehle's 12-foot-long recycled amalgamation titled "Ms. Blue."

Stehle of Clearwater created the piece from hundreds of recycled shredded rack cards, shredded brochures, “beads” constructed from bottle caps, medical syringe caps, purchased plastic beads and waxed linen, plastic ring sealer caps from half-and-half cartons, Monster drink pull tabs, aluminum pull tabs painted with old nail polish, blue plastic straws from Culver’s, plastic closure tabs from bread bags, plastic beads, one Chinese coin, yarn, water color-painted Yupo (plastic) paper from an art class, recycled rice paper, handmade art paper, aluminum caps from wine, beer and vodka.

Frederick Woods and Freddy Fred hang Ms. Blue.

"I've never done anything like this before. The funny thing is I never saw the entire piece until I brought it into the gallery," Stehl said. "I worked on it at my dining room table, and half of it was always hanging down to the floor."

Hanging from the ceiling are 41 COVID Comfort Baskets created by Stehl. She began working on them in November, creating them out of items that gave made her feel better during the uncertain days of the coronavirus pandemic such as empty potato chip bags, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup wrappers, ice cream containers, cookie boxes and sheet music.

"It was a tough time. But I think we're all better people for what happened to us, and hopefully it will bring people comfort and make them laugh," Stehle said.

The Emerging Artist Exhibit can be viewed Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Located in the former 10,000-square-foot Gulf Coast Museum of Art in Pinewood Cultural Park, the nonprofit Gallery at Creative Pinellas features art exhibitions, performances and other events that showcase work from local, regional and internationally acclaimed artists.

Creative Pinellas is funded in part by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs.

Creative Pinellas is currently accepting applications for its Emerging Artist Grant.

The Creative Pinellas Emerging Artist Grant Program is designed to help rising artists develop and expand their audience through financial awards, mentorships, engagement opportunities and an exhibition to present their work at the close of the grant period.

Those interested in applying can click here. The application deadline is Sept. 7.