St. Pete Real Estate Office Doubles As Non-Traditional Art Gallery

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Forever Florida Real Estate owner Delia Davidson has long loved contemporary art. So, when she opened a second real estate office on Central Avenue in St. Pete’s Grand Central District about two years ago, she naturally wanted to use the space to showcase local artists, Wasíl, artist-in-residence, told Patch.

He first met Davidson when she bought one of his pieces on display at an exhibition organized by artist Chad Mize. After learning she hosted art shows at her office, he convinced her to allow him to serve as artist-in-residence and to curate the exhibits for her.

The office consists of two galleries, one in the front, the other in the back.

The back gallery features Wasíl’s work, which he rotates out each month. The front gallery showcases the work of a different local artist each month.

“There’s something new to see every month,” he said.

Currently on display are pen-and-ink and watercolor works by artist James Hartzell.

The pieces all "evolved from sketchbook doodles, family moments,” he told Patch. “They’re very much inspired by the idea of memory maps and landscapes. They’re a hybrid of the two.”

The show’s opening celebration is set for Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m., as part of St. Petersburg’s monthly art walk. The closing reception, featuring poetry readings and conversation with the artist, will take place March 30.

• April - Luci Westphal
• May - OLMY
• June - Mark Williams
• July - Saumitra Chandratreya

“To be able to give artists a one-person exhibition so you can see their breadth and scope as an individual artist is a very unique gifted situation given by Delia and her love of art,” Wasíl said. “A lot of places can’t afford to give artists that kind of space.”

Having a solo show “is a rare thing, especially when you don’t have to have to maybe share the limelight and you get to be in a venue where there’s room to let the work breathe and it doesn’t feel claustrophobic being part of 20 or 30 artists being in that space,” Hartzell said.

“In general, these kinds of non-traditional exhibit spaces bring more opportunities to artists, especially emerging artists or non-traditional artists,” she told Patch. “Despite St. Pete having so many artists, studios, and art collectors, there are only very few traditional galleries and even less opportunities for new artists.”

She added, “Personally, I think that business owners can give back to the community by offering their ‘real estate’ to be utilized by artists and expose their visitors to art, not just commerce. I also see these venues as exciting opportunities to spark artists’ imagination and introduce people to art they’re not commonly exposed to.”

Ultimately, for Wasíl these showcases are all about community and makes the arts accessible to more people, including those who don’t typically visit galleries or museums.