(Largo, FL) – Creative Pinellas announces the launch of SPACEcraft, a socially-engaged, traveling art project in Pinellas County designed to build a sense of community by encouraging people to interact and create together. Repurposing locally sourced shipping containers, SPACEcraft will offer facilitated creative programs in the areas of music, yoga, art and maker workshops, book arts, writing, meditation, horticulture and more.
The first SPACEcraft location will be in Oldsmar at 100 State Street in the east parking lot of City Hall. The launch will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting Saturday, March 14th from 10am – 10:30am followed by programming until 2pm. Representatives from the Board of County Commissioners, the City of Oldsmar and Creative Pinellas will be on hand along with SPACEcraft creators Carrie Boucher, Bridget Elmer and Mitzi Gordon, to welcome everyone to enjoy this unique space. Programming and activities will be based on the themes of Make, Play, Read and Grow and include sculpture making, a magnetic poetry wall, a free library, a drum circle and seed planting. The SPACEcraft Launch will also feature performances by Three Happy Ukers, a ukulele trio, and Oldsmar’s Poet Laureate, Amanda Butler.
“The spirit of this project is to foster community through a county-wide traveling art experience by transforming and activating public places,” said Barbara St. Clair, CEO, Creative Pinellas. “That was very much on the minds of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners when they decided to fund this public art project, using BP funds. And it is wonderful to see it coming to fruition. We are really looking forward to seeing what happens as residents throughout Pinellas have the opportunity to participate and connect with each other around high-quality arts experiences.”
The project will move to a new location in Pinellas County every eight weeks making it available for residents and visitors throughout the county to enjoy. It will reflect and respond to each host community it visits with the goals of educating and enriching residents and bringing a sense of joy and belonging through shared experiences. Programming will be tailored to each location with support from a curated group of local creatives, such as teachers, working artists, and arts organizations.
“We are excited to be the launch site for this county-wide traveling art exhibit that gives its visitors an opportunity to interact in diverse creative forums,” said Oldsmar Mayor Eric Seidel.
“Their selection of our City is another opportunity to showcase Oldsmar. Our City Council acknowledges that public art strengthens our community by promoting our uniqueness, inviting engagement, and inspiring thought and conversation. We are excited we have the opportunity to launch the county-wide exhibit.”
This public art project is funded by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and is an original project conceived and produced by artists Carrie Boucher, Bridget Elmer, and Mitzi Gordon.
For more information about Creative Pinellas, please visit creativepinellas.org or contact Sherri Kelly, Manager of Communications and Brand Relations at sherri.kelly@creativepinellas.org.
To connect with the SPACEcraft project, explore the calendar and discover upcoming sites, please visit explorespacecraft.com
About Creative Pinellas
At Creative Pinellas our mission is to facilitate a vibrant, integrated, collaborative and
sustainable Pinellas County Arts Community and cultural destination. We strive to be the premier Local Arts Agency, recognized locally and globally for our contribution to arts and culture. We are focused on creating vibrant communities; supporting artists, arts organizations and the creative community; supporting economic development; showcasing Pinellas County as a cultural destination; and making arts and creative expression and experience available to all.
As the County’s Local Arts Agency, Creative Pinellas and the programs we deliver are funded by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, Visit St Petersburg / Clearwater, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and by sales of the State of the Arts specialty license plate in Pinellas County.