Bob Devin Jones Honored With Key To The City Of St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The highest honor from a mayor, the key to the city, was given to accomplished playwright and actor Bob Devin Jones on Thursday. Mayor Rick Kriseman made the presentation in front of the St. Petersburg City Council.

Jones opened Studio 620, 620 First Avenue South, in 2004 with his friend, the late David Ellis. The venue quickly became a house for local arts. It has grown into a name that when said around town, is recognized by locals as well as visitors as a downtown space that supports performers who share their talents and works.

Jones has mentored countless performers since he first arrived in St. Petersburg in 1996 from Los Angeles. Experience and training in theater from London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and San Francisco's American Conservatory is what initially brought him to St. Petersburg. He directed a Harlem Renaissance rendition of the play, "Miss Julie" at American Stage Theatre.

Kriseman said Jones has spent the past 15 years transforming St. Pete into a city of the arts with his dedication to the people and his interactions.

"He represents everything good about St. Pete," Kriseman said inside city hall to council members before he presented the key to Jones.

The mayor said the key is usually given to someone who is very accomplished or made significant impact in the community.

Jones humbly accepted the big, silver key displayed on a plaque from the mayor.

After he gave his thanks to Kriseman and the city leaders, he said, "I could quote Shakespeare or August Wilson, but I'll do what my mama said. She said, 'Go out and do something and tell us what you did.' And so I came to St. Pete and saw nothing but opportunity and acceptance, and joy and challenge. And somehow at my almost 66 years on this planet, I rose to that challenge and I'm deeply grateful for this."

Jones remains the artistic director of Studio 620, and continues to provide artists with a place to perform along with guidance and cultural enjoyment for the community.

For more information about Studio 620, visit its website.