The City of St. Petersburg, in partnership with the nonprofit Water Warrior Alliance, unveiled the “Artivism: Vision & Voice” program at the end of August. The ten‑week initiative is designed for middle‑school students and blends environmental education with hands‑on art projects.
Program focus and activities
Students will explore local ecosystems through snorkeling, fishing trips on Tampa Bay and other adventure days. They will also take part in community clean‑up events, learning how to protect the waterways they enjoy.
During workshops, participants will recycle recovered plastics and other materials to create jewelry, mosaics and other artwork. The program culminates in a public showcase where students will present their pieces and sell them, while also building a digital portfolio using the Canva design platform.
Community leaders weigh in
Water Warrior Alliance founder and president Jenna Byrne said, “Through all of my youth programs, I’ve always wanted to expose youth to becoming environmental stewards and to take action. I want to expose the kids to this awesome, beautiful place that we live in, but also teach them to notice the details of pollution and different ways of thinking.”
City of St. Petersburg Director of Education and Youth Opportunities Sheron Brown added, “We considered the fact that there are youth who thrive outside of the traditional academic subject areas. We wanted to create an opportunity that allowed young creatives to explore career pathways that bring them joy, because joy at work contributes to overall well‑being and community well‑being.”
Brown highlighted the program’s career‑exploration component, noting that participants will learn about marine science, environmental restoration, stormwater management, sustainability, public art, nonprofit leadership, communications, ecotourism and community engagement.
Funding and future outlook
The City has allocated $50,000 to support the “Artivism: Vision & Voice” program. Organizers hope the experience will help students discover their talents, develop interpersonal skills and foster a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.
By integrating creative expression with environmental stewardship, the initiative aims to nurture the next generation of community leaders who can protect and celebrate St. Petersburg’s natural beauty.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
