the street is our gallery

Exploring the art-filled streets of Downtown St. Petersburg at the start of SHINE Mural Festival was a captivating experience. Although I was using the art festival’s mural map as my guide, I often found myself wandering other side streets when I heard the drop of a spray paint can being dropped to the concrete floor. Where will the next artwork be emerging? It became a chase. Sure, gazing on a completed artwork is what our eyes are accustomed to. And usually, people do want to see finalized pieces. But art is more than that. Artists invest a piece of themselves when embarking on the artistic process. Watching an artist at work as they bring their vision to life is an intimate experience, and I’m thankful I was able to witness it during SHINE 2016.

A vibrant spiral of blues, reds, yellows and greens slowly emerges from a once bland grey wall off of St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue. Street artist Ricardo Richey, who goes by Apexer, is known for using spray paint to create elaborate abstract patterns.

Nearby and also on Central Avenue, Michael Vahl works to paint Salvador Dali’s portrait.

A mystical creature, a creation by Alex Pardee, takes on the tall building side in an alleyway.

A mystical creature, a creation by Alex Pardee, takes on the tall building side in an alleyway.

All photos by Katrina Poggio

Source: Vivid Arts

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