Alli Arnold

Illustrator, Artist & Creator of Alli Bear

Born in New York City, Alli Arnold has been a published illustrator since the age of seven. In 2011, she moved to St. Petersburg’s historic Old Northeast neighborhood to stretch her wings and discover new inspiration.

A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Alli has illustrated for an impressive roster of clients, including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Travel + Leisure, kate spade, Chronicle Books, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York, and Tiffany & Co.

Alli’s work is instantly recognizable, with an organic yet sophisticated line that invites viewers into a whimsical world filled with unexpected details and charming discoveries. Her signature character, Alli Bear, appears throughout her commercial and personal work. In a delightful neighborhood tradition, Old Northeast residents have even begun leaving baskets of chalk at the ends of their walkways, hoping Alli will discover them and leave one of her beloved Alli Bear drawings behind.

For more than a decade, Alli has collaborated with Creative Clay, the celebrated St. Petersburg nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive opportunities through the arts. Invited to teach member artists, she also mentored a Transition Program student, culminating in a joint exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts. Alli hand-drew Creative Clay’s reinvented logo and coined its inspiring slogan, “Equality Through Art.”

In November 2025, Alli was a featured artist at Creative Clay’s 30th-anniversary celebration, the Good Folk Fest. There, she created 100 canvases featuring her signature line drawings for donors to paint alongside her at the event, or take home and enjoy.

Today, Alli is represented by Leslie Curran at ARTicles Gallery in St. Petersburg’s MLK District, where her original paintings, drawings, and prints are available for purchase. She is a committee member for the inaugural Booker Creek Arts Festival, taking place November 12–15 in the EDGE District.

Celebrating Florida artists, the Booker Creek Arts Festival brings art beyond traditional gallery walls and into the heart of the community. Selected works will be displayed in EDGE District businesses, inviting the public to explore, connect, and vote for their favorites—a creative collaboration that benefits both local artists and neighborhood businesses.

On November 14 and 15, Alli will host an original, interactive art experience at the Booker Creek Arts Festival featuring a new crew of her whimsical creations. Visitors of all ages are invited to join her for “Color a Creek Critter,” a playful opportunity to make art, unleash their imagination, and experience Alli’s delightful world firsthand.

Come meet Alli, discover the magic of Creek Critters, and join the fun at the Booker Creek Arts Festival! •