If you ever have the privilege of listening to Suzanne Pomerantzeff talk about her ballet school and students, you’ll feel her excitement and love of dance as her eyes light up and her smile grows. It’s contagious.
Pomerantzeff, also known as Ms. P, is the co-founder of the Academy of Ballet Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dance school in St. Petersburg. Previously located on 1st Avenue North, the Academy moved this spring to the Pruitt Education Center at the Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA) ArtsXchange campus.
“When WADA invited us to their campus, they asked me what my philosophy of the arts was, and I loved that,” Ms. P said. “Being here is like being in a mini arts school. We’re in a place that’s alive and we’re going to be very active in this location.”
Despite a new location, the Academy of Ballet Arts has been around for 55 years. Founded in 1969 by Lester Jacobsen and Suzanne Pomerantzeff, the Academy is one of the most established and respected ballet schools in the Tampa Bay area and is home to the St. Petersburg Ballet Company. A pre-professional ballet company is different from a typical ballet studio in that students have to audition to be in the ballet company and audition to be in performances, rather than a studio that puts on dance recitals for every class/age group.
Suzanne-PomerantzeffSuzanne-PomerantzeffSophie Poole and Jaylen WilliamsMackenzie McLean and Delilah Kuusela and Mackenzie JohnsonAlumni Calvin Royal III and Ms. P with class
More than 100 students from St. Petersburg Ballet Company and the Academy of Ballet Arts have gone on to become professional dancers. They’ve performed with American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Frankfurt Opera Ballet, Moiseyev Dance Company, Cirque du Soleil, Lion King on Broadway, and dozens of other prestigious dance companies.
Although the professional path is a goal for many of the Academy of Ballet Arts’ students, there are also many students who get involved with dance at the school who don’t intend to make careers out of dance. They offer adult ballet classes, they recently created a beginner’s program, they’re starting a musical theater program, and for many years they’ve worked with arts programs at local schools like Perkins Elementary, John Hopkins Middle School, and Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School.
They also just restarted a program for children with Down syndrome and autism, which they had for about a year and a half before COVID hit. “I want to give the kids a chance to explore movement and let them try a little bit of ballet, a little bit of character and theatrics,” Ms. P said. This program was inspired by work that Ms. P did with kids at Gibbs High School’s ESE program.
Instructors
These various programs and partnerships with schools are just some of the examples of the Academy’s community involvement. They are also involved with American Stage, Eckerd College, Creative Pinellas, City of St. Pete, St. Pete Arts Alliance and its Performing Arts Taskforce, and more.
Students from the academy have performed at recent ArtWalks, which take place the second Saturday of every month and involve more than 45 studios and galleries throughout the city. The Academy’s performances can be seen at the ArtsXchange campus at 515 22nd Street South.
In addition to the Academy’s performances at ArtWalk, you can catch their annual performance of The Nutcracker from December 1-3 at The Palladium. Tickets will be available through The Palladium’s box office and website.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of the Academy of Ballet Arts or this is the first you’ve heard of the school, their new location and deeper involvement with the St. Petersburg community is something that should excite every art lover. And if the gleam in Ms. P’s eyes when I spoke to her is any indication of the future of the Academy, you’ll definitely want to keep your eye on what’s happening with them!
To learn more about the ArtWalk and see upcoming dates, visit: stpeteartsalliance.org/artwalk To learn more about the Academy of Ballet Arts, visit: academyofballetarts.org
It’s no surprise that New York City is hailed as the theatrical capital of the world. Similarly, St. Petersburg has earned its place as the top arts destination for mid-sized cities by American Style (1) magazine. For Bill Edwards, Founder and CEO of Big3 Entertainment and the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, the mantra is clear: “Every great city has a theater.” This belief is the driving force behind the management of the Duke Energy Center for the Arts—Mahaffey Theater, reflecting his unwavering commitment to enriching the community’s cultural fabric.
Beyond economic benefits,(2) the arts profoundly impact individual and community well-being. Research from the World Health Organization shows that arts engagement plays a crucial role in every stage of life. It supports child development, encourages healthier lifestyle choices, assists in managing mental health challenges, and even provides comfort in end-of-life care. These findings underscore the arts’ power to transform lives and foster a healthier, more connected society and quality of life.
Cultural Enrichment:
Performing arts serve as a powerful bridge that unites diverse cultures, providing a platform for preserving traditions and nurturing creativity. Through dance, theater, music, and storytelling, cultural narratives are shared in ways that transcend language, enabling people from different backgrounds to connect and appreciate one another’s heritage. Traditional dances like flamenco or Indian Bharatanatyam, for example, encapsulate centuries of history, passing down values, stories, and customs to new generations, ensuring that cultural legacies continue to thrive.
Festivals and performances featuring multicultural arts encourage dialogue and collaboration between communities, reinforcing the idea that, despite differences, art is a universal language that can bring people together. Thus, the performing arts are pivotal in celebrating diversity, fostering creativity, and building a more inclusive society.
Social Impact:
The performing arts’ uplifting impact on communities extends far beyond the stage. It fosters community through shared experiences, cultural connections, and local engagement. In St. Petersburg, the Mahaffey Theater serves as a cornerstone for both locals and visitors, inviting them to immerse themselves in the joy and unique artistry that only a live performance can provide. Each performance becomes an opportunity for dialogue, reflection, and celebration, highlighting the theater’s role as an essential pillar in the city’s cultural landscape.
Reducing Social Isolation:
With mental health increasingly in the spotlight, embracing creativity and connection is more important than ever—and theater provides a powerful outlet for both. Live theater, dance, comedy, and musical performances continue to provide much-needed social interaction and inclusive spaces; the most significant benefit is the mental health benefits and therapeutic value.
According to The Mental Health Foundation, “The arts also help at a community level. As we age, we might face isolation through a loss of social connections, such as friends, family, and workplace—as well as other limitations, such as decreasing physical health. By getting involved in arts programs, people in later life can rebuild their social connections and extend existing community support.”(3)
Encourages Dialogue on Important Issues:
Performances often tackle social, political, and environmental issues, using the arts to raise awareness and challenge norms. By engaging audiences, they educate them and highlight essential causes. Post-performance discussions—whether through formal panels or informal conversations—can spark meaningful dialogue, fostering more profound understanding and inspiring collective action. Beyond its role as an entertainment venue, the Mahaffey Theater fosters community connection and dialogue, bringing people together to explore and reflect on important social, political, and environmental issues through the arts. Its educational programs, including student field trips and summer camps, inspire creativity and civic engagement and cultivate an appreciation for the arts among younger generations.
The theater also contributes to the local economy, drawing audiences to the downtown area and supporting nearby businesses. Recognizing and supporting the performing arts is essential for nurturing vibrant, connected communities. Your support can help sustain this invaluable cultural asset and ensure we continue to inspire, educate, and bring people together through the power of live performance. This holistic impact—cultural, educational, and economic—solidifies the Mahaffey Theater’s role as a vital, transformative force in the St. Petersburg community. Bill Edwards continues to say, “Every great city has a theater,” and St. Petersburg is proud to be one of them. Join us in this mission to keep the performing arts alive, enriching our community for generations to come. National Endowment for the Arts
Whimsical charm in an “augmented” Artsi reality, with a high-end stylistic charm and a pick of the litter, fun, Phartsi kind of way. With all the class in the world ArtsiPhartsi in Tampa etches out a piece of the 4,000 block of S. MacDill Avenue like a beacon of what’s good in the world.
If you had the opportunity to stock a retail store/art gallery, what would you do? Well, a lot would depend on your personality, right? Enter Carmen. Carmen Smith Barkett is the owner/curator of ArtsiPhartsi and her personality is, well, a smile. And, when you enter ArtsiPhartsi, it’s as if everything is smiling at you. It’s uplifting, energetic and beautiful. Just like Carmen’s smile. It’s a place you really wouldn’t mind living, day in and day out.
According to their website; “The quality of the artwork that ArtsiPhartsi displays and the artists’ specially selected for their creativity and craftsmanship are paramount. What’s remarkable is Carmen’s ability to discern who the most talented artists are throughout the decades since ArtsiPhartsi first opened in 1991. By staying true to her deep knowledge of fun fine art, Carmen makes extraordinary and beautiful things available to us.”
With ArtsiPhartsi’s new gallery space, outdoor patios, decks, porches and winding secret passageway indoor retail/gallery space it’s like a treasure hunt, and there’s plenty of treasure to be found. Speaking of gold and diamonds, ArtsiPhartsi was transformed into a pirate’s paradise during Gasparilla. Pirate outfits, boots, hats, treasure chests and beads, beads, beads and more beads, etc. The biggest beads ever to be seen. Envious beads! You could find whatever a good pirate would need to secure a fair berth at Gasparilla.
ArtsiPhartsi’s inclination to “go with the flow”, to alter its stock to fit the celebration or holiday is a testament to why it’s been so successful for so long. This holiday season visit ArtsiPhartsi to find some treasure to pass to all of your shipmates.
One of the highlights of art happenings in the Tampa Bay region is when area museums join forces to produce the Skyway exhibitions. 2024 marks the third iteration. For this version, five area art institutions are simultaneously presenting artwork by artists that live in the Tampa Bay region. It is always a wonderful journey seeing new work by familiar artists who have lived and exhibited in the area for decades and to experience current art from a host of new names.
One of the artists in the former category is Elisabeth Condon (born Los Angeles, 1959) who is exhibiting at both USF’s Contemporary Art Museum through November 23rd and The Ringling through January 2025. Her BFA is from the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design and her MFA The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, and from 2003 to 2014 she was a tenured professor the University of South Florida in Tampa. For the last twenty years, we who live in Florida have been able to enjoy her innovative artwork. Condon’s Florida exhibitions included Tampa’s Beaker Gallery (2003, 2004), Emerson Dorsch Gallery, Miami (2012, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery in Fort Myers (2009), and the Tampa Museum of Art (2017), among so many others. She now spends her time between New York and Tampa.
It’s difficult not to enjoy Condon’s effervescent paintings. Her dynamic use of color, layered abstraction, and the blending of Eastern and Western artistic traditions produce vibrant and fluid compositions that evoke a sense of movement and transformation. She draws inspiration from various sources including Chinese scroll painting, vintage decor, and Postwar abstraction. Building on a multilayered poured base that adds depth and movement, real and fantastic nature bursts forth in such exuberance that it has been likened to Glam Rock. Flamboyant and fun, they capture you with their energy and cheerfulness, then keep you engaged with insight and dimension. Her paintings put forth the idea of landscape as a flowing construction of fantastical ideas, a current of vivacity and enthusiasm.
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One of the defining features is her use of color. She uses rich and saturated hues that give her works depth and light. Thin washes of paint interplay with thicker strokes to suggest the processes of nature and time.
In her words: “What I hope my work offers others is what I seek in it myself: surprise. By surprise I mean a new way to view something, its material construction, how one thinks about it that comes through the work itself. I am looking for more than what’s expected. This doesn’t mean innovation but rather deep improvisation that feels weird and exciting. It could be a change in scale, in color, a pattern. I like how a painting can creep up on you then you don’t stop thinking about it.”
She is the recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters and Sculptors grant, a Pollack Krasner Foundation Grant, and the Florida Individual Artist Fellowship. Her paintings are in the permanent collections of the Hudson River Museum, Tampa Museum of Art, Perez Art Museum in Miami, United States Embassy in Beijing, among others.
Upcoming opportunities to follow her work include the Untitled art fair in December in Miami, and a solo exhibition at the artist-run space Fiendish Plots in Lincoln, Nebraska, as well as an exciting public art project. Ever improvisational and pushing boundaries, these new works will include her established methods of pours and images on the themes of East meets West, while also playing with wet lines of color and new polymer pours incorporating found shells and debris from the beach, a place that has been on all of our minds these days post storms.
Her advice for emerging artists? “As a young artist, some advice I received resonated and some did not, because one’s path is one’s own. So in the largest sense I say, embrace the course that makes you feel excited and free, and give it everything you’ve got.” Good advice for everything important in life…give it everything you’ve got. •
THE 600 block on First Ave South, St Pete, is the home of the always exciting, ever- changing, The Studio at 620. The new Artistic Director of this eclectic arts haven, alternating music, visual arts, theatre, poetry, movement, and a myriad of other artistic endeavors in its inviting space is the multi-talented, Erica Sutherlin. In comparison to the Icon Bob Devin Jones’s much lauded twenty year stint leading his brainchild, Ms Sutherlin, on board since July 1st, is still in the honeymoon phase. Filling the shoes of towering Bob Devin Jones, is not a small feat, but Sutherlin has already managed to dig her sturdy soles firmly into the soil of The Studio at 620.
Ms. Sutherlin has been an intermittent fixture at The Studio for many years, developing from her strong roots there. Her first appearance on the Studio’s cozy stage was in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf, by Nitozake Shange, and expanded to more acting and directing there as well as in the Tampa Bay area. Thus, Erica Sutherlin is not unfamiliar to Tampa Bay, or even to Studio 620, but helming this artistic gem is a new, exciting step for her and for the Tampa Bay area.
Several years ago, after a quick visit to her sister, who encouraged her to stay, she laughed and said “I could never live here.” That was long before St. Pete had developed its vision as a city of more cultural, social, and artistic offerings, become a magnet for artists, and before Ms. Sutherlin connected with The Studio at 620. It took a few incarnations in the city to promote a complete turn around and love the place she once felt she couldn’t live in. It’s been a circuitous route back to St Pete for Ms. Sutherlin.
Upon her graduation from Illinois Southern University, she informed her mom she was going to be an actress and was moving to Chicago. Her mother, as mothers do in such moments, reminded her daughter that she hated the cold. Ms Sutherlin moved to a different acting mecca, L.A. Apparently, having her mother’s wisdom, Ms Sutherlin understood something else about herself. She knew she could never live as a “struggling artist.” She was too sensible, too creative, and too resourceful for life in a garret, cadging bits of work when she could. Her training at both ISU, and later at the University of Southern California, taught her that you don’t wait for work to come to you. You make it happen. Thus, after one year, not choosing to let more time go by in the unpredictable life that LA. offers, she decided to try St Pete. That was when she first found Bob Devin Jones and Studio 620. Or perhaps, that was when Bob Devin Jones and his studio found her. A poetess, she was often there presenting her spoken-word presentations, or acting, and later, directing. Her presence became more known around town, and her talents drawn upon by other theatres.
But the pull to California drew her. This time, it was graduate school at U.S.C. for studies in the cinematic arts of film and TV production. She told herself she’d give L.A. five years. By graduation, taking place online, the pandemic had hit, shutting down the town. She opted for survival. She could make films anywhere. Hence, the return to St Pete, this time with yet more tools in her skill bag. Leaving L.A. was not easy. Her sister had moved. With no family around her, she moved in with a friend, but feeling her plans had gone awry, she cried for the first three months. Then she got herself together. She went right back to Studio 620 and Bob Devin Jones, whom she calls Bobby, or alternately, ‘my heart.’ He had conveyed to her that she always had a place there. For an artist to know there is a safe harbor they can always return to, a place to grow and be nurtured, is a rare gift that few artists get to experience. As she said, it is”powerful.” She was welcomed as fully as she had been the first time. By then she’d already started transitioning more into directing. Aside from her many efforts at the Studio, in 2022 she directed The Dutchman, by Amira Baraka. Recently, she directed Ragtime,The Musical In the Park, and Color Purple, all for American stage.
One day, sitting alone in the space that felt as familiar as her living room, maybe more so, it struck her that The Studio had been, and was, her home. There had been talk that Bob Devin Jones, after twenty years, in order to move on to other interests, was planning to relinquish his role as Artistic Director. In a moment of insight she said to herself, “I should helm this space.” She went to BDJ and asked if her name could be put in the hat for consideration. He replied to her “There is no hat. It’s you.”
Ms. Sutherlin is no slouch. As she self-proclaims, “I am an artist, but I am also business-minded.” Though she looks like ‘a kid’ still, her resume belies her youthful demeanor. Adding film skills to her acting, directing, poetry, dance and teaching background, she wasted no time creating her own film company. At the moment, her production company has been hired by Creative Pinellas to make a series of films for students regarding gun safety. Students will soon be learning, for example, that many shootings occur with stolen guns, often by those that have not been locked up properly. Her film-making has included the film, Kirk Franklin’s A Gospel Christmas, for Lifetime Networks, after being selected for their mentoring program, Broader Faces.
Capitalizing on her training and school associations, she was a co-writer for the film, Voodoo Macbeth, produced jointly by USC and Warner Brothers. She praises USC for the work ethic and opportunities it provided through peer projects, where she was able to develop a limited dramatic series, Sugar Land, and helped to develop and produce the sitcom Unschooled. That writing led to narrative features for Village Roadshow and the United Kingdom-based production company, iGeneration. There are also her contributions to published works, via her essays and poetry. In 2022 she received the Creative Pinellas Individual Artist Recovery Grant, she was selected as a Fellow with the Advancing Racial Equity on Non-Profit Boards, class of 2022. Mayor Kenneth T. Welch appointed her to the City of Saint Petersburg Arts Advisory Committee in 2023, and recently as chair. She is graduate of the class of 2024 Leadership St. Pete. These accomplishments reflect her belief in herself as well as a pattern of growth from each experience. She brings all this amazing achievement to The Studio at 620.
Most people entering the Studio immediately feel comfortable. It doesn’t impose the formality of many other cultural institutions. The glass front letting you see glimpses of the art work on exhibit, the relaxing lighting, and the warmth of those greeting you— primarily volunteers—are all welcoming. You will run into friends and neighbors for a chat before the show, in it’s small entrance area, at its short bar, or on the sidewalk at intermission. Attending any event at The Studio somehow lets one feel they have an investment in this space. Volunteering and/or a small annual membership fee is another way to invest and get member discounts.
The brilliance of making The Studio at 620 a hub for so many artistic expressions, has always been one of its strengths, and bringing diverse artists in the area together, another. That won’t be lost. Under Erica Sutherlin, prior stalwarts such as Keep St. Pete Lit’s monthly Wordier that Thou, where writers share their work, Open Mic, for the area’s poets, or Radio Night, where short plays presented live, complete with sound effects, go out over the air waves, have once again been solidified. The various musical performances, from Classical to Jazz and all in between, will still be represented in a steady stream. Most involved will be local performers or artists who had their roots in the Tampa Bay area, and have now returned. Coming up, already highlighting the feminine aspects of art and the new leadership, are Ladies of Jazz.
Freddie Hughes from The Gallery at Creative Pinellas has been brought in to expand contacts with local artists, and as a curator for visual exhibits. Ms Sutherlin has created a calendar of events for the season so folks can make plans in advance. With an artistic background that spans all art forms, I’m excited for what innovative programs will be on the horizon.
Processed with RNI Films. Preset ‘Agfacolor 40’s Warm’
As we spoke, she had just finished co-directing the play The Light, by Loy A. Web, which opened to a full house at The Studio. I first introduced myself to Ms Sutherlin, after a performance of Passover, which she directed in The Studio a year ago, with me still in thrall by the mesmerizing effect of the play. Passover takes place on one existential street corner where two young black men, as in the play “Waiting for Godot,” seem trapped, yet waiting for something; afraid to cross an invisible barrier, but waiting to move on. All three actors cast were terrific,, but most of the burden fell on the two leads, (one who happened to be the understudy that night) who needed to keep our attention in what, on the surface, often seemed like random street banter. To hold an audience’s interest in a play of limitations of settings, characters and plot, the actors need to be inventive, creative, make unpredictable choices, and trust in those choices. As director, Ms Sutherlin, clearly had a hand in inspiring, sparking the creative juices, allowing exploration, and giving confidence and guidance. Ms. Sutherlin, in simpler terms said that she felt it was the director’s job “to let people play.” For her, directing stage work is taking the journey with the actor. Striving to get them to another level. As a film director, her eye needs to be more focused on technical aspects such as the color theme, or more time spent collaborating with teams of people all working towards the overall vision.
The Studio’s new leader is a Black female and she says, of course, she can’t help but see the world through that lens. She wants The Studio to be an incubator for art that is new, edgy, quirky, less traditional. She is especially interested in how various art forms intersect; how, for instance, the digital medium and film can be combined with other artistic expressions. She is interested in art that addresses “how we heal, individually, and collectively, perhaps let the viewer sit in moments of discomfort, to be able to say, ‘I saw me in that’, to see ourselves reflected.” She happens to also be a fan of comedies and car chases. Her goal ultimately is for The Studio at 620 to retain i’s sense of community.
Ms Sutherlin is aware of the gift Bob Devin Jones has bestowed upon her. She does not take it lightly, but she knows she has built a background of training, a body of work, and enough varied interests in the arts, to be ready for it. Just as she approaches her direction of plays, Ms Sutherlin is approaching her new leadership role looking to find and express humanity, to discover and convey passion. She says, of working with actors, that she “likes to breath with them.” I suspect she’ll apply the same approach to those who choose to take advantage of the many offerings of this unique space. I think in each moment of each artistic endeavor in this very special home for her and so many, artists or audience members, she’ll be breathing with us. •
An Interview withExecutive Chef Jermaine Bass of The Left Bank Bistro
I enjoyed sitting down with Chef Jermaine of The Left Bank to explore how he transforms food into an art form. In this exclusive Q&A, he shares the inspiration behind his culinary masterpieces and the creative process that brings his dishes to life.
• What inspired you to focus on French cuisine?
From a very young age, I was fascinated by cooking. I love everything about food, and sometimes I wonder if I’m the reincarnation of a chef. My father passed away when I was only one, so a group of incredible women raised me—my mother and aunts—who were all talented cooks. They often told me that, as a baby, I would crawl into the kitchen whenever they cooked. As I got older, my first job was as a dishwasher at the Tampa Club, where Chef Joseph was mastering French cuisine. Working from the ground up, the Chef and his team taught me everything I needed to know about cooking, and that experience shaped my skills. My passion for learning different techniques has only grown stronger since then.
• Is there a particular chef or experience that shaped your style?
When I first started, I challenged Chef Joseph while he was making Pommes William. I told him I could improve them, and he laughed but was impressed when I actually did. That began my journey of learning his techniques and creating some of my own. During that time, I also worked with Carl Bertka, a pastry chef who had worked with Gordon Ramsay and appeared on Hell’s Kitchen. Carl, then a sous chef on the rise, taught me so much about food and the techniques behind it. We became close friends, and he deepened my passion for cooking. He introduced me to the concept of “soigné” and pushed me to refine my skills and elevate my love for food. Carl’s influence was transformative. He had a genuine love for pastries long before becoming a pastry chef, and his enthusiasm spread to everything in the kitchen. His passion made me fall in love with food in all its forms—from desserts to complex dishes—and inspired me to become the chef I am today.
• How about adding your past experiences (desserts) to the specialties you apply at LBB?
I gained valuable experience working in the Dessert Room at Bern’s Steak House. Carl once told me, “You’re not a real chef if you’re not well-rounded,” which inspired me to pursue pastry making. During my time there, I learned a great deal and was mentored by Kim Yelldington, now Chocolate Pi’s owner.
• Which dishes best represent your skills as a chef at LBB?
That’s a tricky question because I love so many dishes. Often, chefs find themselves in a rut when a dish becomes extremely popular—they want to elevate or change it, but it can become a classic and something they’re known for. If I had to pick, I’d say Monte Carlo is my favorite. It’s a technically French dish with tomatoes and risotto, and it’s a big hit with people on the current menu. I’m also a fan of beef bourguignon—it reminds me of comfort food. It’s essentially an elevated version of a beef stew or pot roast, a dish that’s been around for ages. Many chefs have put their own spin on it over time. It pairs well with beer, wine, or anything and goes great with mashed potatoes.
• What’s your approach to balancing tradition with creativity?
Many chefs, including myself, believe in paying homage to those who came before us. We often try to modernize classic dishes for a younger generation that may not know their origins. By tweaking recipes and incorporating new techniques or ingredients, like fresh produce and poaching methods, we aim to improve these dishes while still honoring the original creators. Take Beef Bourguignon, for example. Julia Child introduced it to America, and chefs today continue to modernize it—focusing on flavor and presentation, making it look as beautiful as it tastes, instead of just serving it in a simple bowl.
• I understand you create weekly features – how does that add to your creativity?
My creativity stems from experimenting a lot when I was younger. I still do a lot of research and development at home, even though many chefs don’t enjoy cooking outside of work. I love trying out new ideas, and my wife is my go-to taste tester—if something is too salty or too sweet, she lets me know, and I adjust accordingly. I also encourage my crew to develop techniques and push their limits in the kitchen. I’m constantly working on new ideas, which takes time, but the creative freedom Susanne Byram, the owner, gives me at Left Bank is invaluable. She lets me do what I do best, and I genuinely appreciate that. One of my favorite things is watching people’s reactions to the food I create. I’ll walk through the dining room or the kitchen doors to see how they respond. Seeing them smile, take out their cameras, or enjoy the first bite brings me so much joy. Watching people enjoying their food makes all the hard work worth it.
• How do you maintain consistency in quality during busy services?
I believe in following recipes as a foundation to maintain consistency. As Chef Thomas Keller, my favorite chef, says, “The recipe is a base, but as a chef, your soul speaks to how you make it perfect.” A recipe provides structure for consistency, but as a chef, your soul brings it to life. You are the soul of the recipe, elevating it beyond the instructions.
• You recently curated a wine-pairing dinner at Left Bank. How do you create a memorable dining experience for your guests?
Over the past 30 years, I’ve hosted many wine dinners. My head chef taught me about wine profiles and tastings during that time. We had sommeliers from France, Spain, and California visit the Tampa Club, where they trained us to pair wines with different foods. I had the privilege of learning how to match specific wine profiles with the right dishes. When pairing wine and food, it’s essential to consider how the protein complements the wine, ensuring everything works harmoniously together. After tasting countless wines over the years, I’ve developed a strong ability to ensure those pairings mesh perfectly.
• How does diner feedback influence your menu?
When I create new features (not specials) that are hits, I often revisit them later. If a feature is well-received a second time, that’s when I know it should become a permanent menu item. People love it; it’s memorable, and they tell their friends to try it. Consistency is critical—when a dish resonates like that, it deserves a place on the menu. I also believe in the power of comfort food. When a dish reminds someone of childhood or something mom or grandma made, it especially connects with their soul. Once a dish touches the soul, I know it belongs on the menu.
• What about sourcing your ingredients?
I grow some of my vegetables at home and engage in extensive gardening throughout the seasons. I like using seasonal veggies and fruits in my cooking. I believe using fresh, locally sourced ingredients is essential to achieve the best flavor in my dishes.
• Are there any culinary trends you’re excited to explore?
My favorite cuisines are modern French, Japanese, Italian, and Latin. I love their bold flavors—each bite makes you think, “Wow, this is phenomenal!” I strive to take a different approach than everyone else. For instance, if I’m making a key lime pie or any popular dish, I ask myself what will set my version apart. Why should customers choose us? I aim to be innovative and surprise them with something new.
• How would you like to see French cuisine evolve at Left Bank Bistro?
I envision the evolution of French cuisine, and I teach my crew and colleagues about its rich history, just as my predecessors taught me. It’s like passing the baton—French food is constantly evolving. By sharing my knowledge with my team, we can grow together and continue to learn. No chef knows everything; there’s always room for evolution and growth. Many chefs in the past have drawn inspiration from future chefs, and I’ve experienced this firsthand by sharing ideas with a chef I worked with over the years. It’s important not to hit a wall but to keep developing. I always ask myself, “How can we do this better?” I know new chefs will emerge from my guidance, and I’m excited to see their growth.
About The Left Bank Bistro The Left Bank Bistro is located in the MLK Business District, Uptown, at 1225 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., St Petersburg, FL 33701. The decor and setting take you back to 1920s Paris, where artists and poets lived. The restaurant is housed in a meticulously restored 1922 bungalow, featuring French cuisine and signature top-shelf cocktails named after the artists of the day. There is inside and outside seating for patrons. For reservations, call 727-256-1691 or visit the website at http://www.theleftbankbistro.com . •
Brenda McMahon Gallery in Gulfport will welcome one of the world’s leading book excavation artists to its roster of decorated artists this November. Ted Wray, a multiple-award-winning artist, rescues books from the recycling bin and transforms them into mind-expanding, exciting new 3-dimensional worlds of inexhaustible exploration and wonder. He accomplishes all this with just a blade and his imagination.
“Books contain secrets,” says Wray. “I like digging deeper because, while we can’t see all the answers at once, we can glimpse the beauty of the interaction of chaos and order.”
Wray’s works will be unveiled during a solo exhibition at the gallery during the town’s First Friday Art Walk on Friday, November 1st from 6-9 PM. St. Petersburg jazz innovator Henry Ashwood will perform a live suite of classics and originals for the crowd to enjoy while perusing Wray’s works and those of nearly 20 regional artists.
Wray has pursued careers in printing, music, and art, earning multiple awards for excellence in each field. In 2019, he redirected his creativity to become a leading book excavation artist, earning numerous awards from New York to Florida. His unique style allows viewers to see imagery from every page of the book simultaneously, integrating width, height, depth, and time. Says Wray: “I’m fascinated by the interplay of chaos and order. I’m offering a new view into something that’s always been there. The book is not what you think it is.”
The gallery was also recently announced as the first of nine stops on the 8th Annual ArtJones Gulfport Artist Studio Tour, taking place on Saturday, December 7th, and Sunday, December 8th. This tour has become a must-see and must-shop event on the region’s holiday arts calendar and features work by 22 professional artists. The gallery will showcase gallery owner and ceramic artist Brenda McMahon, painters Christine Di Staola and Angela Warren, and mixed-media artist Debra Brown during the event. To follow updates on the event, follow @BrendaMcMahonGallery on Facebook and Instagram, or visit the gallery’s homepage at https://brendamcmahongallery.com/. Brenda McMahon Gallery is located at 2901 Beach Boulevard S in downtown Gulfport.
Celebrate 10 years of shine and the 10-day festival at FloridaRAMA featuring a solo show and book release by 2023 artist Chris Dyer, custom installations from 2021 artists Nicole Salgar and Ricky Watts, DJ and special performance by Woes Martin (2021) and The Mighty Giants, Giano Currie’s interactive photography experience, After Hours Photoshoot and more. The event is free and open to the public.
A limited number of tickets are available for purchase to gain access to the SHINE VIP Experience inside FloridaRAMA’s immersive art space. Mingle with past and present SHINE artists while exploring the multi-sensory art exhibits. The $75 ticket price includes valet parking, limited edition keepsake item, gourmet bites from Uptown Eats and open bars sponsored by Mandarin Hide, Great Bay Distributors and Mother Kombucha.
Gulfport’s DRV Gallery creative calendar for November and December includes a solo exhibition by a multiple-award-winning fiber artist, free live concerts, and a leading role in the town’s 8th Annual Gulfport Artist Studio Tour.
On Friday, November 1st from 5:30-8:30 PM, the gallery will reveal a collection of portraits by decorated fiber artist Dawn Waters at Face Value, a solo exhibit that will run through November 16th. The gallery’s Evening at the Gallery live music series will serve as musical accompaniment to the show, with multi-instrumentalist Jim Gilmour welcoming acclaimed musician Rebbeca Zapen-Douglass back to DRV Gallery.
The evening is designed as a free, uplifting gathering for the community and will serve as a fundraiser for local efforts by the Red Cross, with both Waters and the gallery donating proceeds from the event to the charity.
On Saturday, November 16th from 1-2:30 PM, DRV Gallery will host its first creative workshop of the season at Expert Series: Impressionism the Easy Way with Jack Providenti. Jack is a multi-award-winning artist and will provide an in-depth demonstration on how to create a dramatic, light-filled impressionistic landscape or seascape painting, indoors or outdoors, without having to draw. Interested parties are invited to register for the event at https://tinyurl.com/drvimpressionismworkshop. DRV Gallery will serve as stop eight of nine on the Eighth Annual ArtJones Gulfport Artist Studio Tour on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th. The event has become one of the region’s most anticipated holiday season art shows, and this year’s event features 22 professional artists. During this two-day event, DRV Gallery will showcase works by owner Deserie Valloreo and painters representing three distinct styles: Amy Howell, Paula Roy, and Jack Providenti. To learn more about these events and DRV Gallery’s artists, visit the gallery’s online home at https://www.drvgallery.com/.
OLD SOUTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD ART WALK/ARTIST STUDIO TOUR (FREE)
Visit the Old Southeast Neighborhood’s 5th Annual Artist Studio Tour, Saturday, October 26th, 2024 from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Start your artists’ studio tour at the Chattaway Restaurant Parking Lot, 358 22nd Avenue South, in the Old Southeast neighborhood.
Pick up your tour map and enjoy walking the historic Old Southeast. View the exhibits of 19 artists at 15 working artists’ studios.
This free, self-guided walking tour includes work by ceramicists, sculptors, jewelers, photographers, mixed multi-media artists, fine art painters, printmakers, stained glass, textile artists, wood, metal and food (bakery) artists.
Visit with the artists in their studios, enjoy demonstrations and learn about the creative process. Art will be available for purchase.
