LARGO — Arts Annual 8: From Now to Next — part exhibition, part fundraiser — will celebrate the extraordinary creativity of our community on Friday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., at The Gallery at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo.
Tickets range from $25 to $100. To purchase tickets, and learn about other ways to support Creative Pinellas, visit bit.ly/SupportCreativePinellas.
This unforgettable night will shine a spotlight on creativity, community, and Creative Pinellas’ reimagined future. This event will raise money to support the next chapter for the Pinellas County arts and cultural organization and showcase local artists in the eighth installment of its popular Arts Annual exhibition. After the loss of $1 million in county funding, this year’s Arts Annual will serve as both a crucial fundraiser to rebuild and sustain Creative Pinellas’ future — and a joyful tribute to the artists, partners, and community who have made the organization what it is today.
“Arts Annual: From Now to Next is a celebration of who we are and where we’re going, and a bittersweet goodbye as this will be the last Arts Annual in the Gallery since we are leaving the premises next year,” said Creative Pinellas CEO Margaret Murray. “While this has been a year of unforeseeable change, we see it as a moment to reimagine what’s possible. We’re inviting the community to come together, and honor our past, celebrate our artists, and help us create a strong, sustainable future for Creative Pinellas and the arts in Pinellas County.”
The event will offer guests a first look at the Arts Annual 8 exhibition, featuring more than 70 artists from Pinellas County, making it one of the biggest Arts Annual shows ever. Several spoken word artists will deliver special, one-night-only performances at the event. There will also be a spotlight on artists inside the gallery’s store with “Gifted,” a curated collection of original, giftable artworks and handcrafted pieces by local artists. Visitors can expect unique, artful finds perfect for holiday giving — each piece a celebration of the county’s dynamic creatives. “Gifted” will remain open for shopping through the holidays and will also feature a “create your own gift basket” option.
Allison McCarthy, curatorial director at Creative Pinellas, said curating Arts Annual 8 has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the exceptional artists who live and work in Pinellas County.
“Every piece, whether abstract, representational, or sculptural, reveals something about the creative energy that makes this community so unique,” she said. “My hope is that visitors leave inspired by the talent on display and are compelled to purchase a work for their home that becomes part of their own story.”
In addition to the exhibition, the evening will include music from DJ artist collective We’re Sweet Girls; food by Uptown Eats and Bonefish Grill; wine and cocktails courtesy of Great Bay Distributors; and a unique art experience: a special, multi-panel installation created exclusively for the fundraiser by famed artist Ales Bask Hostomsky will be deconstructed and sold piece by piece during the event. Renowned artist Leon “Tes One” Bedore, one of the founders of the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival, is also creating custom, limited edition prints of his signature blend of art and graphic design to be sold at Arts Annual. Guests can also purchase custom “Chizzy Supports the Arts” sticker packs created for the event by well-known multimedia artist, designer and muralist, Chad Mize. Tes One and Mize’s items will be sold in the gallery store throughout the Arts Annual exhibition, while supplies last.
“A ticket to the Arts Annual is a vote for the future of the arts in Pinellas,” said David Warner, longtime journalist, actor and Creative Pinellas board member since 2018. “It will help ensure that the county lives up to its reputation as a place where the arts are central to our quality of life and enables Creative Pinellas to continue offering opportunities for artists in all genres and inspiration for our residents and visitors alike.”
Whether an artist, a community leader, or simply someone who loves local culture, attending Arts Annual is an opportunity to be a part of Creative Pinellas’ continued efforts to empower local artists, advance the creative economy, and ensure that the arts continue to thrive across Pinellas County for years to come. Funds raised from the event — donations, tickets, art sales and sponsorships — will directly support sustaining Creative Pinellas’ operations and shaping new programs, resources and opportunities for Pinellas County artists.
“Creative Pinellas plays a vital role in nurturing local artists and enriching our cultural landscape,” said Shane D. O’Hara, Creative Pinellas board president. “By attending the Arts Annual, you’re not just enjoying incredible art, but also investing in the creative spirit of Pinellas County and helping ensure its growth for future generations.”
Arts Annual: From Now to Next is sponsored by the Rays/Rowdies, Great Bay Distributors, ProVise Management Group, Bonefish Grill, The Bank of Tampa, Linda Marcelli, Beth Houghton & Scott Wagman, Studio 1212 Art Gallery, and Allison Santucci. Businesses or individuals interested in becoming an Arts Annual sponsor may email margaret.murray@creativepinellas.org.
Creative Pinellas is a 501(c)(3) arts and cultural organization established in 2011 as the designated Local Arts Agency for Pinellas County with the mission to foster and sustain a vibrant, inclusive, and collaborative arts community throughout Pinellas County.