The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance proudly announces the appointment of Helen French as its new Executive Director, effective August 1, 2025. A celebrated performing artist, educator, and longtime arts advocate, Helen brings more than 20 years of creative leadership to the role.
“We are thrilled to welcome Helen into this new leadership role,” said Ryan Griffin, Chair of the SPAA Board. “Her rare blend of artistic excellence, nonprofit experience, and community-centered leadership makes her uniquely qualified to guide the SPAA into its next chapter.”
Helen previously served as Chair of the SPAA Board and most recently led fundraising and development at the Palladium Theater. She is also co-founder of the BEACON performance series, a former Artist Laureate for Creative Pinellas, and a passionate supporter of arts education and community engagement.
“I’m honored to lead and serve the vibrant arts community that has shaped my creative journey,” said French. “St. Pete’s diverse and resilient arts ecosystem is a treasure. I look forward to collaborating with artists, organizations, and civic leaders to keep the arts thriving in our city.”
Please join us in welcoming Helen to this new leadership role as we continue to champion creativity, collaboration, and community impact throughout St. Petersburg.
Nestled on the lush Tarpon Springs campus of St. Petersburg College, the Leepa‑Rattner Museum of Art (LRMA) opened its doors in January 2002. Born from the visionary generosity of abstract-expressionist Allen Leepa and housed within an architectural marvel, LRMA has matured into a vibrant hub where art, education, and community converge.
A Legacy Origins in Passion and Philanthropy
Allen Leepa—artist, educator, and son and stepson to Abraham Rattner and Esther Gentle—donated a deep and diverse archive of works in 1996. This corpus laid the foundation for LRMA’s paramount collection: vibrant tapestries, evocative stained glass, masterful prints, drawings, sculptures, and paintings by Rattner, Gentle, and Leepa himself. Augmented by prints and paintings from luminaries like Picasso, Chagall, Rouault, Moore, and Ernst, this collection now exceeds 6,000 objects.
The 2010 acquisition of the Gulf Coast Museum of Art’s collection further enriched LRMA with nearly 275 objects—showcasing contemporary Florida artists and southeastern craftspeople through photography, mixed media, ceramics, and fine art.
The Collections Galleries at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art are home to the works held by the Museum. Come and see the masterworks of Abraham Rattner, Esther Gentle and Allen Leepa. Alongside these works of modern art, marvel at the beauty of their ever-expanding collection of modern and contemporary paintings, photography, sculpture, prints, and so much more.
A Building as Art
LRMA’s architectural design, by Edward C. Hoffman Jr., is itself a work of art. The sweeping skylit galleries evoke the prow of a ship, a fitting homage to the region’s seafaring legacy. In recognition of its design excellence, the museum earned the Tampa Bay AIA’s 2002 H. Dean Rowe Award, and in 2012 was named one of Florida’s top 100 architectural gems.
The 53,000 sq ft structure encloses three integrated buildings: the museum proper, an art education center, and a library—all unified under one sweeping roofline and multiple gallery spaces.
Stewards of Excellence
Accredited in 2013 by the American Alliance of Museums—an honor held by only about 6% of U.S. museums—LRMA stands as a hallmark of professionalism and public trust. Under the current leadership of Executive Director Christine Renc‑Carter, the museum has reinforced its dual mission to preserve and share its rich collections while enriching the Tampa Bay creative landscape.
Exploring the Collections
LRMA’s galleries are grouped into captivating thematic zones:
Leepa–Rattner–Gentle Collection: This core includes figurative expressionism, prints, sculptures, and archival materials chronicling the careers of Rattner, Gentle, and Leepa, woven together with works by Picasso, Moore, Chagall, Rouault, and Léger.
Gulf Coast Collection: Focused on contemporary Florida and southeastern artists, this collection features fine crafts, ceramics, mixed media, and modern photography from luminaries like Clyde Butcher.
Works on Paper Gallery: Celebrating two centuries of printmaking, this gallery spans works from Goya and Manet to Miró, Baskin, and contemporary printmakers like Lousia Chase, Donald Saff, and Donald Sultan.
Interactive and Education Center: A lively space designed for hands-on engagement, programs, and lectures, engaging audiences of all ages. A focal point is an interactive mural of Pablo Picasso’s Guerinca (1937)–the world’s only full-scale reproduction of his masterwork authorized by the artist’s estate.
Temporary and Special Exhibits: The James W. Mitchell, Jr., and Center Galleries rotate exhibitions, spotlighting everything from retrospectives to Florida architecture.
Modern art comes to life in this hands-on creative space. Visitors enhance their understanding of this often-challenging art genre with interactive activities designed for all ages. Here you’ll find a full-size reproduction of Pablo Picasso’s (Spanish, 1881-1973) Guernica, the only one of its kind!
Programs and Public Engagement
LRMA thrives as a participatory space, offering:
Docent tours every Sunday at 2 p.m.
Monthly lectures, family workshops, children’s camps, concerts, and film screenings.
Classes for students, community art events, internships, and volunteer opportunities—extending the museum’s academic roots.
Planning Your Visit
Located just off U.S. 19, at 600 E. Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs, the museum welcomes visitors:
Admission: Suggested donation of $10. Free to students, children, and active military.
Etiquette: No food, drink, oversized items, or flash photography; masks and accessibility services available.
Accessibility: ADA-compliant, with sign-language upon request.
Resonating With Community
Visitors frequently describe LRMA as “a sanctuary of art, expression, and deliverance,” drawn to its passionate staff, serene environments, and cultural depth. Residency in academia amplifies its community impact—connecting students, locals, and travelers alike.
The Museum’s Quiet Revolutions
LRMA transcends being merely a display space. It’s a living canvas weaving modernist legacies with southeast Floridian creativity and civic aspiration. It upholds educational partnerships, supports regional artists, and pioneers interactive technology and accessible digital archives through its online portal.
Final Impression
The Leepa‑Rattner Museum of Art stands as an essential cultural cornerstone in Pinellas County. It celebrates artistic lineage, architectural elegance, and inclusive education, all while inviting visitors to pause, reflect, and discover beauty across its galleries. More than a museum, LRMA is a magnet for curiosity, connection, and colorful stories—painting the history and promise of Florida’s Gulf Coast, one exhibition at a time.
August 9 – December 7, 2025 Galleries: James W. Mitchell, Jr., Center, Interactive The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art proudly presents Jeff Whipple: Past, Present, Future, a retrospective celebrating over four decades of provocative, concept-driven work by Florida-based artist Jeff Whipple. Known for his signature three-line motif known as the “spanasm” and a razor-sharp wit, Whipple’s multidisciplinary practice spans painting, video, performance, and installation, exploring themes of mortality, identity, and the absurdity of modern life. This exhibition traces the evolution of his singular visual language—from early existential compositions to recent works that invite viewers to consider how imagination shapes our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. At turns engaging, irreverent, and delightfully bizarre, Whipple’s work offers a poignant, and at times humorous reflection on what it means to be human in an ever-shifting world. This exhibition will include multi-media programs and performances and even a mini-golf course! Please check back for details.
Photos:
School group with Abraham Rattner’s The Last Judgement painting.
Fall 2025 Exhibition – A Legacy of Her Own: Women of the Gulf Coast Part II (August 9 – December 7, 2025) – Image: Virginia Beth
Sheilds, Kathy, from the Flesh and Blood Series, 1995, Ektacolor print, 27 x 33 in., LRMA Collection, St. Petersburg College, from the Gulf Coast Museum of Art Collection, GC1998.017.
Permanent Collection Galleries (installation shots) Artistic Journeys: Abraham Rattner Early Years Made in Florida: The Art of Giving Artistic Journeys: Allen Leepa / Esther Gentle Gallery
The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art is home to the world’s only full-scale reproduction of Pablo Picasso’s masterwork “Guernica”authorized by the Picasso Estate.
The Central Park Performing Arts Center (CPPAC) invites families to a special, sensory-friendly performance of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown on Saturday, August 9 at 11am. This one-hour musical the classic Peanuts characters to life in a fun, welcoming environment. Presented as part of CPPAC’s Family Time series, the show is tailored for children with special needs and first-time theatergoers who benefit from a gentler live theater experience.
With charm, wit, and heart, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown explores the ups and downs of childhood through music and short scenes, following Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, and Snoopy through an “average” day filled with baseball games, recess, and big feelings.
This sensory-friendly performance includes modifications to sound and lighting, a relaxed attitude toward movement and noise, and resources to help families prepare for their visit.
Tickets are available for $8.50 and $7.50 for children under 12. Family four-pack tickets can be purchased for $26. Purchase tickets at LargoArts.com or by calling the Box Office at 727-587-6793.
The Central Park Performing Arts Center is located at 105 Central Park Drive in Largo.
About the Central Park Performing Arts Center
The Central Park Performing Arts Center is a multi-purpose facility featuring the 443-seat Tonne Playhouse, a 200-person Parkview Room, and the Historic Largo Feed Store, which holds 100. The Center promotes and encourages performing arts among the Tampa Bay community, hosting a variety of national, regional, and local artists and groups. Each space is fully equipped to rent for corporate functions, company meetings, receptions, and special events. For more information, visit
Whether under the sharp lights of the stage or the relentless Florida sun, one truth remains: to be seen—to be heard—you must do more than whisper.
At the Warehouse Arts District Association, we don’t trade in silence.
This summer, as workshops deepen and our campus hums with ‘making’, we’re reminded: art is never neutral. It’s declaration. Sometimes protest. Sometimes prayer. But always a response to the world that surrounds us.
This month, that idea takes shape in Silent Conversations in the Street, a new photography exhibit by Dave Decker. These aren’t just images. They’re fragments of testimony—capturing the unsaid, the overlooked, the real. Art, in its quietest form, still speaks back.
In a time when so much is digitized or disembodied, the work we do—through sculpture, storytelling, music—serves as both anchor and compass. We need grounding. And we need direction.
And when politics demand not just opinion but participation, artists—and citizens- play a heightened role. Democracy doesn’t run on ‘autopilot’. It relies on those who show up, think critically, speak clearly, and keep listening actively.
Looking ahead, next month, we invite all ArtsXchange campus artists to exhibit in our annual Where Art is Made show. This is not just a showcase—it’s an affirmation of relevance, of resilience and a way to say: We are still here. We are still creating. And what we create still matters.
And as Gustav Mahler once said:
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.”
This ‘fire’ moving forward is very much the ethos of the ArtsXchange.
Celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, this eighth iteration of the Explore the Vaults series features gifts from the museum’s formative years. These objects—offered by community members to the fledgling institution—provided the foundation for the current collection. Despite the traditional tastes of the 1960s, these works encompass a remarkable range of materials, periods, and cultures. As the MFA’s first director, Rexford Stead (1923–1983), noted, these gifts of art set the standard for his vision of a permanent collection of “substance and grandeur.”
Because many early gifts to the museum, especially paintings, are already on view, this exhibition mainly emphasizes works on paper. These include an etching by Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669) from our founder, Margaret Acheson Stuart (1896–1980), as well as Japanese woodblock prints, contemporaneous pieces by modern artists, and works that celebrate St. Petersburg’s art and history. Combined with selected paintings, sculpture, and decorative art, these first gifts provide a sense of what the collection looked like in the mid-1960s.
Enhancing these artworks are letters, photographs, and related ephemera that offer insight into how these collectors became donors. Together, these provide a unique and rich context for the shaping of the collection and illuminate its importance to the St. Petersburg community. The impact of this remarkable founding legacy—modest in scope but enormous in ambition—is still felt today as the museum continues to expand, study, preserve, and diversify its global art collection.
Rembrandt van Rijn, Dutch, 1606–1669, Christ Disputing with the Doctors: A Sketch (detail), 1652, Etching and drypoint on paper, Gift of Margaret Acheson Stuart
François-Marie-Léon de Marliave, French, 1874–1953, Angkor (detail), 1920, Watercolor on paper, Gift of Suzanne Etienne-Koruna
Kitagawa Utamaro II, Japanese, 1750–1831, Chef Preparing a Bonito for a Woman with a Porcelain Dish (detail), 1806–1810, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Gift of Horace H. F. Jayne
James Abbott McNeill Whistler, American, active in England and France, 1834–1903, La Marchand de Moutarde (detail), 1858, Etching and drypoint on paper, Gift of Margaret Acheson Stuart
Honoré Victorin Daumier, French, 1808–1879, Comment on entrera à l’exposition universelle et comment on en sortira (detail), 1855, Lithograph on paper
Featured Original Work Can Be Seen at D-Gallerie in St Petersburg, FL
Ruth Mulvie was born in 1979 with Scottish roots, Mulvie trained in painting at the Glasgow School of Art (1998–2002), including a formative semester at Paris’s Beaux-Arts de Paris. She later worked in Glasgow and London before settling on the Sussex coast, where her studio—overlooking sea and downs—became the perfect setting for her bright, beach-inspired creations.
Distinctive Style: Color as Emotion & Memory
knobbly knees
Mulvie’s work is characterized by daring, high-saturation color reminiscent of Kodachrome photography—turquoise seas, candy pinks, sherbet yellows, fluorescent greens—that evoke nostalgia and emotional resonance.
Using acrylic underpainting topped with oil paint, she creates textural richness and layered depth, where flat perspectives sparkle with energy and detail—setting scenes that feel both familiar and enchantingly.
Her visual vocabulary includes:
Pools and seaside lidos (public outdoor swimming pools), where sunlight glistens.
Mini narratives—dancing figures, dogs, animals, disco queens, insects, lounging icons.
Modern embellishments—e.g., copper leaf touches in her limited-edition prints (like Xanadu).
Themes & Creative Influences
Mulvie explores spaces tied to leisure, pleasure, nostalgia, and escapism. She often works from old photographs, postcards, vintage imagery, or personal memories, assembling collages that she transforms into radiant canvases.
Roots of her inspiration trace to:
School trips to Blackpool’s rollercoaster parks, photographing them in cotton-candy light.
A teenage affinity for Brighton’s seagulls, deckchairs, candy floss—and the sense of home it gave her.
Travels to California and Miami, spurring her love of bold sunlight and retro LA glamour.
Her recollections are sensory: the scent of wet concrete, sun-warmed tiles, snapping sunlight on water—each memory distilled into immersive color experiences.
Major Exhibitions & Recognition
Mulvie’s rising profile includes:
The Other Art Fair, Santa Monica (2024) and London editions (2019–2022).
Saatchi Art’s inaugural NFT collection, honoring her digitally accessible works.
A major solo exhibition, Endless Summer, at iconic Saltdean Lido in 2025—a venue she had long admired—where her paintings echoed the heritage voices of early swimmers along the curved Art Deco walls.
Earlier success at venues like Colonnade House, Worthing (2018), Brighton Artists Open Houses (2022), and Shoreham Airport’s Whispering Gallery before reaching the Saltdean stage.
Her works are held in private collections worldwide, often compared to the grand stylings of David Hockney, but with a uniquely playful, pop-inspired twist.
Select Works & Commissions
Saltdean Scenario (120 × 120 cm oil on canvas, £4,400)—a bold celebration of the lido’s architecture, combining surreal detail and heritage voice.
The Oranges series—large-scale oil/acrylic canvases exploring fantasies around Hearst Castle’s decadent world, complete with animals, vibrant parties, and copper touches.
Limited prints like Xanadu (copper leaf), Venus, Butlins, Dog Day, and Breaking the Rules—all in high print runs or special editions for collectors worldwide.
Mulvie also accepts commissions, adapting her joyful, dreamlike style to personalized scenes—adding a bright signature to any commissioned piece.
BEETLE
Looking Ahead
After Endless Summer at Saltdean Lido, Mulvie plans to continue exploring heritage sites, vintage leisure spaces, and potentially more NFTs and print expansions. She’s open to collaborations and commissions, and passionate about documenting experiences through color and design.
Why Her Work Matters
Therapeutic nostalgia: In a world leaning towards monotone aesthetics, Mulvie’s uplifting palette offers an instant emotional lift.
Cultural storytelling: She brings vanished retro scenes—like Blackpool promenades and mid‑20th‑century lidos—back to life with creative flair.
Accessible joy: Through paintings, prints, NFT editions and commissions, friendly fantasy becomes available—whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer.
In Summary
Ruth Mulvie’s art is a celebration—of color, memory, escapism, and emotional resonance. From seaside daydreams to heritage hotspots, her layered, joyful canvases invite us all to bask in vibrant worlds and reclaim a bit of childlike wonder. As she continues painting, exhibiting, and expanding into new formats, Mulvie’s unique voice promises to brighten even more homes and hearts worldwide.
Stop in D-Gallerie in St Pete to see Ruth’s art in person at:
D-Gallerie 1234 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Hot Walls is a one-night, indoor street‑art takeover hosted by Overspray Art Space—a vibrant graffiti and mural studio at 5013 20th Ave S, Gulfport, FL. It brings together 22 artists to transform every available wall into a rotating gallery of live murals, combining high-energy visuals, skate‑boarding, beats, and community spirit.
Host Crew
🎨 Details You Should Know
When: Saturday, July 12, from 6 PM to 10 PM
Where: Overspray Art Space, 5013 20th Ave S Unit F, Gulfport, F
What’s Included:
Live mural painting: 22 accomplished artists covering walls wall‑to‑wall.
Skateboarding stunt show: Action-packed performances by local riders.
Music & DJ sets: Groove to DJ Jay Marley’s sets while watching art spring to life.
Community mural wall: Attendees are encouraged to spray paint a communal wall.
Food & drinks: Enjoy refreshments as you explore the event .
🎯 Why It’s Worth Attending
Immersive art environment: An entire space covered in dynamic, live‑painted murals creates an artistic overload in the best way.
Community engagement: Whether you’re spectating or grabbing a spray can, it’s interactive and inclusive—perfect for first-timers and street art lovers.
Energetic crowd & atmosphere: A lively mix of skate demos, music, food, and art drives a festival vibe.
Showcases local talent: Highlighting Gulfport/St. Pete scene, including notable creators like the Vitale Bros and Hinson the Healer.
✅ Need-to-Know Tips
Dress smart: Casual clothing you don’t mind getting a little paint on is ideal. Bring friends: It’s far more fun as a group—plus you can take turns trying the community wall. Follow Overspray: Keep an eye on their social media for announcements or sneak peeks before the event.
🌟 In Summary
Hot Walls @ Overspray Art Space is a curated collision of street art, skateboard culture, live music, and interactive creativity—all packed into one lively night. Whether you’re an artist, spectator, skater, or just someone who likes buzzing events, this is a summer highlight in Gulfport worth experiencing.
🎟️ Mark your calendar for July 12th, 6–10PM at Overspray and get ready to witness walls ignite with art. Let me know if you’d like help finding tickets, directions, or nearby places to grab a bite afterward!
Where Fandom Becomes Fine Art – July 19 & 20th 10-5 PM
This summer, Imagine Museum, METROCON, and Tampa Bay Comic Con invite you to explore anime, comics, and storytelling reimagined as fine art. Graphic Worlds blends jaw-dropping glassworks, immersive multimedia, and iconic pop culture in a dynamic celebration of fandom.
💸 Wanna go to Tampa Bay Comic Convention after Graphic Worlds? WE GOT YOU. Use code IMAGINE to save 💸
🖼️ The Exhibition
• Rare and exclusive works from top global artists
• Glass art meets anime and comics
• Immersive, next-level storytelling
💥 Fandom Face-Off: Who’s the Ultimate Anime Fan?
Join the live weekend showdown at Imagine Museum in St. Pete, FL featuring:
🕹️ Each Session Includes:
1️⃣ Cosplay Contest – Strut your stuff with music, quotes, or scene recreations
2️⃣ Trivia Battle – Lightning rounds test your anime IQ—winners from each session face off on Sunday!
📅 Event Schedule
SATURDAY, JULY 19
🎭 Themed Competitions:
🕙 10:00 – 11:30 AM – Shinobi Showdown (Naruto)
🕞 3:30 – 5:00 PM – Moonlight Magic (Sailor Moon)
🕞 3:30 – 4:30 PM – Pokémon GO: Trainer Throwdown at Imagine Museum
WHAT: The exhibition Blazing the Trail: From Strand to Slough presents a behind-the-scenes view of the epic 2024 Florida Wildlife Corridor trek through the western edge of the Corridor in southwest Florida, seen through the eyes of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation team, who planned, managed, and participated in the expedition. For five days, trekkers, filmmakers, staff, and volunteers hiked, biked, paddled, and camped through private, public, and agricultural lands to raise awareness for the urgent need to protect these vulnerable landscapes.
WHEN: Exhibition Dates: July 12- August 30, 2025 Saturday July 12, 5–9 PM: Opening Reception for Blazing the Trail: From Strand to Slough and Wild Takes: Florida Uncut Podcast Live. Podcast 6-7pm.
WHERE: Wild Space Gallery Hosted by the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation at The Factory St. Pete 2620 Fairfield Ave S | Bldg 7 St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Guest curated by Kalup Linzy On View: July 3 – October 5, 2025 | Gallery 1
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) is happy to present Here For Now, a powerful group exhibition curated by artist Kalup Linzy. On view from July 3 through October 5, 2025, this exhibition brings together photography and video works that explore movement, change, and what it means to belong.
The featured artists share personal stories and observations about how people navigate place, identity, and community. Whether moving to a new country, living between cultures, or reflecting on life in public spaces, these works capture the emotional and social experiences of people living “in between” moments.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
In Eyakem Gulilat’s Collaborative Self, the artist reflects on his life as an Ethiopian immigrant in Oklahoma. He photographs both the people and landscapes around him and includes himself in the process, creating images that mix Ethiopian and American influences. The result is a powerful look at what it means to find your place in a new environment.
Martha Rosler’s video Secrets From the Street shows the everyday life of San Francisco’s Mission District while raising questions about who gets seen, who gets heard, and how power and privilege shape public spaces. In the video, Rosler states, “To understand another culture, you first have to understand the limits of your own.”
Other featured artists include Jackson Adair, Adam Davis, and Le’Andra LeSeur, whose works also explore identity, movement, and community in thoughtful and creative ways.
Presented in partnership with Queen Rose Art House and the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, Here For Now invites viewers to pause and consider how we all move through the world and how art helps us understand each other along the way.
The exhibition will be on view in Gallery 1 at FMoPA, located at 1630 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605. Admission is $12. Learn more about the exhibition and museum at www.fmopa.org. •
