Meet the Artist: Stacy Roth

Name: Stacy Schulstrom Roth

Preferred Medium: painting; video game animation

Bio:

The Michigan native graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in visual communications and had dreams of being a broadcaster. But with a little help from her parents, she decided to give up her pursuit of a career in that field, and instead she moved to Florida to study computer animation at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota.

In 1994, after becoming a member of the first graduating class in computer animation in the school’s history, Roth found work as an art director for a startup video game company in Orlando, a position she held for over nine years.

“I had a wonderful job. They treated me very well,” Roth recalls of her time at n-Space, where she helped created titles like "Rugrats" and "Mary Kate and Ashley."

“I left in 2003 ... because I felt it was a good time to leave. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done.”

Did You Know?

Despite having “no plan at all," Roth started creating characters from pieces of plywood she had cut out at her home near downtown Safety Harbor shortly after leaving the video game company. 

That fall, Roth became incorporated and formed Harbor Arts LLC, and she has continued to create characters as well as paint murals, design signs and contribute to local art foundations, ever since. 

“My husband (John) said I need to be with people, and it’s true. I love being with people.” 

And despite having to overcome a pair of physical disabilities — partial deafness and MS — Roth never lets the impairments stand in the way of doing what she sets out to do. 

“My parents have always been involved with us,” she says of herself and her brother, who is also hearing impaired. “We both succeeded, so I’ve always pushed others to do more and get involved.”

Roth’s involvement in area activities include being on the board of directors of the Historical Museum; helping found OGOSH, a group of community volunteers; co-chair of Chalkfest; and helping with the and the Neighborhood Family Center. 

“I believe in helping everyone,” she says. 

Where You Can Find Her Work:

Thanks to her vibrant pieces and love of marine life and Jimmy Buffet, Roth’s work can be found in many area bars and restaurants including and Brady’s Backyard BBQ downtown. She also did the art for new eatery Nantucket Bucket, signs for a couple restaurants in Palm Harbor, and she’s painted a number of murals for schools in Pasco County. 

She has also worked on children’s books, with one already published and two on the way.

Although Roth admits she sometimes misses the video game business, she says she never wants to live far from the place she calls home. 

“Safety Harbor is my home. I love it here,” she says. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to live.”