Lucy Sparrow’s Quick Shop at FloridaRAMA.

British artist Lucy Sparrow might be the perfect match for St. Pete immersive art museum FloridaRAMA’s quest to celebrate the Sunshine State in all its gaudy glee. 

Sparrow’s attracted an international following for her felt art installations recreating the shops and stands that add to the local character of places like New York City, London, and, yes, Tampa Bay. Past installations paid homage to NYC institutions like the bagel joint, bodega, and deli. There have been nostalgic recreations of a London fish and chip shop, the neighborhood cornershop, a Soho sex shop complete with animated peep show, and the local chemist shop, or pharmacy. 

A self-avowed “huge fan” of Florida, Sparrow unveiled her most ambitious installation to date at Water Street Tampa in 2022. Tampa Fresh Foods reimagined a Florida supermarket complete with 50,000 felt grocery items, a Cuban sandwich counter, and a humidor in 3,000 square-feet of space. 

Lucy Sparrow’s Quick Shop features 13,000 felt replicas of grocery items, household essentials.

Now Sparrow’s crossed the bay to bring her latest installation to the St. Pete Warehouse Arthouse District’s FloridaRAMA, where knowingly kitschy tributes to Florida are always in style. Lucy’ Sparrow’s Quick Shop recreates that ubiquitous Florida institution, the convenience store,  as a kaleidoscope of color where 13,000 felt versions of household essentials stock the shelves. Spam, Bisquick, Colgate, Skippy, and JELL-O are just a few brands you’ll find in the vibrant array of products. In the meat & fish section, felt lobsters and crabs are in season. Everything on the shelves is for sale as a piece of art.

During three days in late November, Sparrow appeared in person at the installation and pop up shop.

“Working with Lucy Sparrow is a dream come true,” FloridaRAMA founder and CEO Liz Dimmitt says during Sparrow’s visit. “She is an artist that I adore and follow. I had the joy of working with her on our 2022 show in Tampa. To get her to come back and do something at FloridaRAMA has been years in the works and it’s finally here. Then to have Lucy herself on site today, it’s just been incredible. It’s impossible not to be happy when you’re in a Lucy Sparrow installation. They’re joyful. They’re fun. It’s that perfect sort of high-low combo that is FloridaRAMA.”

Florida holds a significant place in Sparrow’s career. Back in 2015, she made her U.S. debut here. It was the beginning of a love affair with the Sunshine State.

“Lucy is a big fan of Florida,” Dimmitt says. “She’s gone on a lot of road trips around the state and loves that Florida embraces kitsch and color and living life to the fullest.”  

For more information, go to FloridaRAMA