The EDGE District of St. Petersburg will come alive this weekend as the city hosts its first Booker Creek Arts Festival, running from November 12 through November 15. Curated by longtime councilmember and gallery owner Leslie Curran, the festival features 127 original works by Florida artists, displayed throughout roughly 40 local businesses—including hotels, boutiques, breweries, salons, restaurants, and even the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Curated, community‑focused art
Curran, who served on the St. Petersburg City Council for 16 years, emphasized the city’s desire to be recognized as a “City of the Arts.” She explained that the festival is designed to integrate art into everyday spaces, saying, “It doesn’t always have to be the same, if it can just be shown that art is everywhere.” All pieces are hung on walls or easels, avoiding heavy pedestals, which allows the works to blend naturally with each venue’s interior.
Artists, prizes and public voting
The festival is a juried competition open only to Florida artists. Each artist submitted three pieces, which were reviewed by a panel of five arts professionals. After a first round of selection, each artist chose one piece to be featured. The works are now curated to complement the specific business spaces they occupy. Artists will compete for up to $50,000 in jury‑awarded prizes, and visitors can vote for a People’s Choice Award.
Live demonstrations and interactive events
Daily programming includes a variety of hands‑on activities. At Green Bench Brewing, artist Carrie Jadus will paint a Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation mural while onlookers watch. On Saturday at noon, glass‑blowing demonstrations by Duncan McClellan and his team will take place outside 1201 Central. A mural paint‑off hosted by No Good Deeds will be held outside Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails, and Chad Mize’s pop‑up show “Go With the Flow” will run Saturday evening at Green Bench.
The interactive NOMAD Art Bus will be parked at Cappa Law on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., offering a community canvas for visitors to contribute. Each evening at 7 p.m., an outdoor illuminated visual display—produced by 3D‑printing firm Haddy, Ringling College of Art, and the St. Petersburg Museum of History—will be viewable from Ferg’s.
Economic and cultural impact
Curran stresses that the festival is not just about aesthetics; it is an economic driver. By bringing art into EDGE businesses, the event aims to attract new visitors who might not otherwise explore the district, fostering relationships between artists, merchants, and residents.
“The whole idea is that people who might normally not come to the area will now see how you can form a relationship through art,” Curran said. “Art is an economic driver and a source of healing for our community.”
Schedule at a glance
- Thursday‑Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.: Festival artwork on display (venue hours may vary)
- Thursday‑Saturday, 7 p.m.: “An Evening Illuminated” outdoor visual display (watch from Ferg’s)
- Friday, 5‑6:30 p.m.: Arts Conservatory for Teens live performance at Ferg’s
- Saturday, 12‑4 p.m.: Glass‑blowing demos, Postcard Project, Color a Creek Critter, NOMAD Art Bus, Radio St. Pete live broadcast, Art Battle mural paint‑off, Go With the Flow Art Show, juried awards announcement, People’s Choice voting close
- Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Global Love Project chalk drawing; People’s Choice and Plein Air winners announced
The Booker Creek Arts Festival offers St. Petersburg residents and visitors a chance to experience high‑quality, locally‑sourced art in everyday settings, reinforcing the city’s commitment to culture, community, and economic vitality.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
