In a transitional move to merge high art with pop culture, St. Petersburg’s Imagine Museum hosts a new an anime exhibit that promises to dazzle lifelong fans and curious newcomers alike.
Anime, a Japanese art form known for its unique visuals and captivating storytelling, has become a global cultural phenomenon. This exhibit will spotlight iconic works from celebrated anime titles and creators, offering visitors an in-depth look at the evolution and significance of the medium.
From hand-drawn cells of early classics to cutting-edge digital designs, the exhibit will display the artistic innovation that defines anime. The exhibit will feature a collection of iconic works and spotlight local artists, offering visitors an immersive journey into the rich history and influence of anime.
“The Graphic World exhibit was inspired by the global impact and cultural significance of comics, manga and anime,” artist Trish Duggan said. “Graphic Worlds honors trailblazers like Richard F. Outcault, creator of the modern comic strip, and Osamu Tezuka, the father of modern manga. The exhibit also features works from acclaimed DC Comics illustrator and writer, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, celebrated for their contributions to Harley Quinn and Black Panther.”
In addition to original artwork and curated displays, visitors can expect an immersive experience that goes beyond traditional displays. Interactive installations, film screenings and live workshops allow visitors of all ages to interact with the art.
“A standout piece is an original inked Johnny Bravo strip, signed by Kirk Tingblad from Cartoon Network Studios, demonstrating the synergy between comics and animation,” Duggan said. “These works reflect the evolution of visual storytelling and the pioneers who paved the way for today’s artists.”
From long-time anime enthusiasts to newcomers, the exhibit aims to bridge cultural connections and inspire creativity, according to Imagine Museum’s marketing and communications manager, Francesca Brown.
“We hope younger audiences leave with a newfound appreciation for comics, manga and anime as legitimate art forms,” Brown said. “We hope this will inspire the next generation of artists and storytellers to engage in the visual arts and express themselves through a medium that goes beyond words.”
According to Brown, one of the most iconic works in the exhibition is Spidey vs. Venom, a blown and hot-sculpted glass piece by American glass artist Charlyn Reynolds. The composition of the piece consists of two busts—Spiderman and Venom—facing off.
“This display is truly special to me,” art enthusiast Denise Herrera said. “It brings back the nostalgia of Saturday mornings spent watching Spiderman cartoons as a kid with my brothers. It is a timeless classic that captures those cherished memories. Venom’s mouth is open, bearing his menacing teeth and tongue in the face of a valiant Spiderman—a nod to the classic hero vs. villain hyperbole.”
This piece holds significance for fans of the comic book world and glass artistry, blending compelling visual storytelling of cinema and pop culture with the compositional and technical finesse of fine art.
The Graphic Worlds: Exploring Comic and Anime Art exhibit will be open to the public until January 5, 2025. To witness the intersection of art, culture and anime through the museum’s displays, visit their website for more details.
As unhoused individuals struggle with the loss of their livelihoods, nonprofits and activists push for housing reform, despite facing significant pushbacks.
As the enactment date for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ House Bill 1365 approached, law enforcement and homeless organizations prepared for incoming risks.
The bill bans public sleeping and camping, with another section set to be enacted in January 2025, allowing complaints to local governments if issues are not resolved within five business days.
With the assistance of the Homeless Leadership Alliance, Pinellas Continuum of Care erected a task force to confront challenges brought on by HB 1365.
However, preparations were delayed due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as Florida focused on repairing damage caused by heavy rains, floods and winds.
“The anti-camping legislation really kind of went under the radar because we were so focused on the storms that arose,” said Nicholas Carey from the HLA board of directors, “but the reality is it just has the likelihood of impacting even more people now that might be struggling with being unhoused for the first time in their lives.”
Carey said task force meetings aimed to address harmful policies and maximize limited resources for unhoused populations.
Gulfport City Council member April Thanos joined the CoC’s task force in April to tackle the shortage of shelter space and funding. She said the state’s $10 million allocation for these expenses is nothing short of a “drop in the bucket” compared to the actual costs local governments face.
Further compounding this problem was Gulfport’s enactment of a time-strict version of HB 1365, operational between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
According to Thanos, the enactment of this local ordinance stemmed from a misunderstanding of the city’s compliance with the house bill, now resulting in two different, but similar, laws.
For Gulfport, Thanos pointed out how it’s not like St. Petersburg, where the city engages in housing projects, offering rooms and apartments to unhoused people. Instead, Gulfport must rely on the help of nonprofit thrift stores and shelters like Goodwill and St. Vincent de Paul.
Shelters like Pinellas Hope, operated by the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, faced evacuation orders during both hurricanes. Pinellas Hope Director Joe Pondolfino said that most of the residents took refuge in Largo High School and Palm Harbor University High School.
Upon returning, Pondolfino found all 159 of their tents destroyed. In addition, more than 50 trees were tumbled by high winds and three vehicles were found to be completely flooded in the parking lot.
Due to Hurricane’s Helene and Milton, as many as 50 trees were dislodged from the ground in front of the Pinellas Hope shelter. Some had fallen on top of rooftops, while others were uprooted on the stone paths and concrete sidewalks. Residents will have to contend with little to no shade for the summer. (Photo by Joe Pondolfino)
To account for these damages, CCDSP established a disaster relief fund. A move welcomed by Pondolfino as the shelter had run out of deficit and had been looking to the community to help keep the shelter afloat, especially with the ongoing anti-public sleeping and camping ban.
“[HB 1365] raises awareness of the need for more services,” Pondolfino said. “[Pinellas Hope] has become a focus point of the homeless in our area and the services needed to get them helped.”
Pondolfino said that he doesn’t know how far law enforcement will go in carrying out this law, but he wants to focus on providing services to those who need them.
On the other hand, Thanos has been raising awareness among homeowners about FEMA benefits, warning that repairing without a permit could lead to higher costs and cause the city to lose flood insurance eligibility and discounts.
Furthermore, FEMA’s 50% rule, a regulation by the National Flood Insurance Program, covers improvements made on a structure if the costs were to exceed 50% of the property’s market value, not including the land. This would require the homeowner to issue a permit and bring the property into compliance with the Florida Building Code and the community’s floodplain management regulations.
Even then, some people may not end up qualifying for FEMA’s housing assistance or may find trouble in finding a place that accepts FEMA vouchers. Thanos said that people may feel financially stressed, as they may still be paying a mortgage for a house they cannot physically live in on top of having to rent a place to stay.
Winds destroyed Pinellas Hope shelter’s ‘tent city.’ There were as many as 159 tents that were lost, each costing about $80, amounting to over $12k of damage. This does not account for the wooden platforms, 50 of which were destroyed, and all other expenses caused by Hurricane Helene and Milton. (Photo by Joe Pondolfino)
Thanos said she had been trying to convince city council to add accessory dwelling units, arguing that it may help with the housing crisis and could provide a place for people whose houses were flooded, but it was all to no avail, as “there hasn’t been much inclination [from city council] to want to deal with even the easiest solutions.”
“They haven’t been willing to even discuss it,” Thanos said. “I’ve had several people come and talk to us about the benefits of it, but they are not interested.”
Thanos isn’t the only person attempting to offer solutions to the unhoused community. Carey had been in the running for District 3 St. Petersburg’s City Council on a progressive platform, promising rent control, tenant protections and accessible housing.
Carey had taken part in protests pressuring city hall to enact rent control around February and August of 2022. He said that the problems concerning the housing crisis stem from real estate letting the market decide the price of what should be a tenable basic need.
“The reality is that people will pay whatever it takes to keep themselves safe,” Carey said. “And so that just continues to drive prices upward.”
Furthermore, Carey highlighted that the housing crisis problem had grown worse around the pandemic, as folks coming in from higher paying areas of the country move to Florida, further increasing house prices.
In response to this, Carey has been championing the concept of social housing, which would allow the government to directly own housing, and allow homeowners to pay only 30% of their income. On top of that, Carey highlighted that developers need to be held accountable and pay their fair share of impact fees instead of leaving most of it up to taxpayers.
Forward Pinellas, a countywide organization overseeing transportation, land use and redevelopment, is working on various projects across the city. Its executive director, Whit Blanton, expressed support for the Housing Action Plan, which aims to build 10,000 housing units in Pinellas County over the next decade.
“The more housing supply we build, the more affordable housing will become in time,” Blanton said. “As newer homes get built […] older ones will be freed up, and older housing is affordable housing, generally.”
According to Blanton and other housing advocates, the fight for housing rights and homeless services remains an uphill battle, with a long road still ahead.
Over the past two decades, steady development has transformed St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District from a hidden gem into a bustling city. Its boom in population and change in infrastructure has left locals cautiously looking toward the future of the city.
St. Petersburg resident, Donna Smith, moved to the city in 2003 from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“It was kind of smaller then,” Smith said. “It wasn’t a tiny town. It had all the bells and whistles of a city, but … it was nothing like it is now.”
As the city experiences the current boom in population, Smith said she’s noticed the city change firsthand through “more traffic, more people and less ease of movement.”
According to Smith, the city isn’t the same as it was 20 years ago. Beach trips and visits downtown take strategic planning because parking has increasingly become an issue.
Another resident, Don Plese, has lived in St. Petersburg for eight years and in the surrounding area for decades more. He said he worries that the city won’t be able to handle these changes.
“It’s kind of scary right now downtown,” Plese said. “You see those 46-story condominiums going up and another one right next to it, and you know those people are going to live here and they’re going to drive here. They’re going to use utilities, and I think the growth should be slow and well planned.”
Monica Kile, former executive director of the organization now known as Preserve the ‘Burg, spent years in St. Petersburg working to preserve historic buildings throughout the city.
“If you want to have these businesses downtown you need to preserve some of these older buildings so that they have an affordable place to rent,” Kile said. “[Older buildings] have a certain look and feel that you can’t get with a new building. When you lose those, there’s no getting back that unique historic feel of the city.”
Plese said his focus is on whether the city can handle its current growth and how that growth might impact the residents, but Smith said she believes the city is doing a fine job thus far.
Regarding the busy streets and limited parking, Smith references the SunRunner, the region’s first bus rapid transit service.
“The SunRunner was a good way to try to alleviate parking problems at the beaches and downtown,” Smith said. “You can just jump on and ride down from any stop all the way across town.”
Smith said she is optimistic about the changes facing St. Petersburg and appreciates the amenities that come with a growing city, while Plese explains that his views might stem from his older perspective, claiming he no longer has the busy life that younger residents may value.
“We’ve got a beautiful city,” Plese said. “I think it’s kind of a hidden gem. It’s beautiful and I hate to see it be diminished, however, if I was [younger] and I was looking at more opportunity for jobs and businesses and nightlife going on, I might have a different opinion.”
With talks of repairing Tropicana Field after hurricane damage and the construction of a new stadium by 2029, some residents may worry about where their tax dollars are going.
According to Smith, the Tampa Bay Rays have been looking for a reason to leave the city for years. She said the team leaving the city could affect the revenues since “the city gives a lot of money to keep the Rays here already.”
In the last year, the county commission voted to invest $312.5 million in financing the new stadium to keep the Rays in town.
Kile explained she is still in full support of the development of a new ballpark, despite the emphasis she puts on preservation. However, she said she is worried about the impact that losing a Major League Baseball team may have on the city.
“I think it would be a turning for the worst,” Kile said. “There have been paradigm shifts in our city’s history, and I think the hurricane and subsequent loss of the Rays could be one of those negative shifts.”
Smith also said that she would not be surprised if the difficulties that come with a busier city led to others moving elsewhere.
“I do think its driving people out, ultimately, who don’t want to live elbow to elbow,” Smith said, adding that she and some of her friends have talked about leaving Florida due to the lack of space.
While residents closer to the heart of the city may be feeling the effects of a growing population, Pinellas County has not necessarily undergone the population boom that many are fearful of. The population of the county has increased by only 4.9% between 2010 in 2022.
“The increase in population in Pinellas County has been marginal in the last 20 years,” Kile said. “The location of that population has shifted, and that’s why people think there is an increase. I’m not overly concerned about population growth in St. Pete, and I think if people understood those numbers a bit better, they might not be either.”
Kile advises that those concerned about developments being made in the city should speak out.
“The voices of residents matter when some of these issues are going through the city council,” she said. “Citizens can send an email, go to the hearing [and] speak up because they really do listen.”
The 2024 presidential election between U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris has left more than just political tensions in its wake. As the results pave the way for Trump to return to office in late January 2025, the contentious outcome has fractured friendships, strained family ties and created tense workplaces. Americans now face the challenge of navigating an increasingly deep political divide after Trump’s return to power.
For 22-year-old Haley Dickey, a server at Streamsong Golf Resort in Central Florida, the fallout of the contentious election has made her workplace an uncomfortable battleground. The tension stems not from her job performance, but from her political beliefs, she said.
“I’ve been judged for my decision to vote for President Trump,” Dickey said. “It feels like people see me as a vote and not as a person. It’s made going to work a lot harder.”
Dickey said that she has faced subtle but noticeable pushback from some colleagues.
“It’s exhausting,” she said. “I try to focus on doing my job, but it’s hard when you feel like you’re walking on eggshells.”
Dickey’s experience mirrors a broader national trend. A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in August revealed that a third of adults report a strain in family relationships due to the current political climate.
Susan MacManus, a professor emeritus of political science and political analyst for ABC Action News, sees a growing connection between misinformation and the erosion of interpersonal trust, she said.
“When deciding on who to vote for, it’s really a matter of your education, income, personal circumstances and your party affiliation,” MacManus said.
MacManus emphasizes that political identity has become more deeply ingrained in personal identity.
“It’s a trend we’ve been seeing for some time,” MacManus said. “People don’t want to communicate with those who differ from them, and that’s creating social and familial rifts.”
Navigating the outcome of this election, MacManus highlighted an outlier— a factor that influenced many voters’ decisions.
“People generally voted most based on the economy,” MacManus said. “When looking through exit polls, it can be seen [that] there were many more working-class voters as well.”
Across the country, these divisions are playing out in households, on social media and in the workplace. Families have become estranged, friends have parted ways and some work environments, like Dickey’s, have been stirred by the election results.
“Co-workers I used to joke with are distant now,” Dickey said. “It’s like everything’s been colored by the election, even if we’re not talking about it outright.”
Similarly, Dickey’s co-worker, 32-year-old Steven Quinones, has faced an opposite polarization at work. Waking up to the outcome of the election, Quinones thought it best to break ties with friends of opposing viewpoints, he said.
“I chose to end my outside relationship with three friends from work,” Quinones said. “It wasn’t about Republican versus Democrat, but the man they voted for.”
Quinones, of Puerto Rican descent, said he was worried for his family members who came to America seeking a stable future, along with the women in his life who could be affected by abortion laws under a new administration.
“Those co-workers were close friends, but I had to do what I thought was best,” Quinones said. “There is just too big of a difference in our values.”
Although this riff in relationships has brought discourse at Streamsong Golf Resort, co-workers Dickey and Quinones have remained respectful amongst the opposition.
“I could never be rude to those I have cut off or let differing mindsets get in the way of our job,” Quinones said.
MacManus said she believes there is hope for healing, but it will require concerted effort from individuals and institutions alike.
“We need to get back to basics: civil discourse, empathy and understanding,” she said.
Still, MacManus warns that reversing the polarization will not be quick or easy.
“These divides didn’t form overnight, and they won’t be fixed overnight either,” she said. “But we can’t give up, relationships and communities depend on it.”
For her part, Dickey is trying to find ways to navigate her own divided workplace.
“I’ve started focusing on what I have in common with my co-workers,” she said. “We all want the same things—happiness, stability and respect. That’s what I’m trying to remember.”
The road to healing may be uncertain, but for many Americans like Dickey and Quinones, the effort to rebuild relationships in the shadow of political division is worth it.
“At the end of the day, we’re all human, and the world keeps spinning no matter what,” Dickey said.
As the nation reflects on the election aftermath, the question looms: Can Americans find a way to coexist despite their differences? For experts like MacManus, the answer lies in rediscovering shared humanity.
“It starts with listening,” she said. “Only by hearing each other’s stories can we begin to rebuild those relationships.”
As soccer becomes an integral part of St. Petersburg’s athletic culture, the sport is gaining momentum through youth programs, amateur leagues and the support of professional teams like the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Participation across the city is growing, and soccer is carving out its place alongside more established sports in the Tampa Bay area.
The city’s soccer scene is bolstered by increasing registration numbers for local leagues. Shane Burroughs, general manager of the St. Petersburg FC Aztecs, a semi-professional soccer team in the United Premier Soccer League, shared his perspective on the growing enthusiasm.
“I think you can see that participation in the game in our area has increased, especially on the adult recreational side of things,” Burroughs said. “That is positive because that should allude to those adult recreational players introducing the game to their kids at a young age. Unfortunately, it looks like young female participation has dropped over the last few years, but that can be attributed to the rise and popularity of flag football and lacrosse.”
Burroughs highlighted the post-COVID era as a turning point for city athletics.
“I think one of the driving factors, and this doesn’t relate to just soccer but to sports in general, was coming out of the COVID era and wanting to get kids back outside and into group activities,” he said.
Despite the positive trends, challenges remain. Burroughs pointed out one of the most significant hurdles has been access to quality field space.
“There are numerous challenges, with one of the most prevalent being access to field space,” he said. “If you are not a club, it is extremely difficult to find available and quality grass fields. St. Petersburg also does not have any turf fields open to the public. While grass is preferred, turf allows for constant programming and mitigates weather issues, allowing for higher usage.”
The growing interest in soccer has brought both opportunities and obstacles to the forefront of St. Petersburg’s athletic community, Burroughs said.
“The St. Petersburg area brings a sense of family and a culture where fans are fully supportive of the development of the game,” Burroughs said. “They’re not only interested in how well the team is doing but also in how individual players are progressing in their amateur and semi-professional careers.”
Bruno De Jesus, a local soccer coach and father of Rowdies player Mateus De Jesus, echoed similar sentiments about the community’s passion for soccer.
“I feel like God gave me skills to do something bigger than me,” Bruno De Jesus said. “I love the game—I’ve been playing since I was in the womb—and I’ve been coaching for that reason.”
Bruno De Jesus, who has coached for over 20 years, highlighted his efforts in making soccer accessible.
“I’ve been able to give back to the community with coaching as I’ve raised sponsorships to allow for minimal cost or no cost for people to play,” he said. “It’s nice to give people the opportunity to play, and now, I get to see those I’ve coached in college and the pros, like Mateus, weekly on ESPN+.”
Even though De Jesus lives in Palmetto, he said he recognizes the potential in St. Petersburg’s soccer community.
“We don’t know much about the St. Pete soccer atmosphere because we live in Palmetto,” he said, “but I did play against St. Pete FC’s U11 team, and they were a high-level squad with good coaching.”
His son, Mateus De Jesus, reflected on how the community shaped his journey playing for the Rowdies.
“Playing for St. Pete helped me take steps from playing with kids my age to playing with college kids,” Mateus De Jesus said. “It helped me realize how I need to play with people that are older than me, and I brought what I learned there to playing with the Rowdies.”
The strong sense of community and support for the sport in St. Petersburg has played a vital role in fostering talent and enthusiasm for soccer, according to Mateus De Jesus.
“The community has been so supportive of me, whether it was when I was playing for St. Pete or for the Rowdies,” Mateus De Jesus said. “They have always been there cheering for whichever team I’m on, and having that support makes the teams play better. The support is super important for development.”
With a supportive community and increasing opportunities for youth athletics, the city’s soccer scene is poised to expand even further, bringing the game to a broader audience and inspiring the next generation of players.
As Hurricane Helene and Milton charged across Florida, animal shelters became makeshift sanctuaries, filled with anxious pets and restless barks. Volunteers were called to urgently work cataloging each animal and securing safe spaces as cities grappled with back to back hurricanes.
With each adoption and foster placement, the shelter’s noise levels grew until the storms passed. Not a single bark or meow remained. Every animal found a temporary home, bringing companionship and comfort to those processing the storm’s aftermath.
“During times of crisis, people seek out comfort and security and pets fulfill that need in such a meaningful way,” said Jennifer Applebaum, a researcher at the University of Florida who specializes in the human-animal bond.
Applebaum spent years studying how pets provide psychological support to their owners, particularly in high-stress situations.
“Pets offer unconditional love and a calming presence, which can be an anchor for people when everything else feels uncertain,” Applebaum said.
Her findings highlight the growing significance of pets as emotional comfort, providing stability and helping owners cope during traumatic events.
The connection between pets and their owners is no secret. According to a study by the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 69% of pet owners reported that their animals helped reduce stress and anxiety, while 66% said their pets provide a calming presence, especially during tough times.
The research showed that cat owners are more likely than dog owners to say that their pets ease anxiety, making them ideal companions during storms and other stressful events.
In times of need, simply knowing a furry companion is nearby can bring its owner great relief. For Olivia Gignac, a Pinellas County resident, her cat, Lola, became a lifeline when Hurricane Milton struck.
Gignac was forced to evacuate her home for the second time after Hurricane Helene, but having Lola with her helped her cope with the stress, she said.
“Lola kept me grounded through it all,” Gignac said, “Feeding her, making sure she felt safe, it gave me something else important to focus on.”
She explained how caring for Lola provided a sense of routine and purpose, distracting her from the chaos that surrounded them.
The meaningful connection between them provided strength for the two and helped with the anxiety of forced isolation, she said. Her story is one of many others that show how pets serve their owners during natural disasters, providing stability when other forms of support are not accessible.
Kimberly Chandler, founder of FLUFF Animal Rescue in Pinellas County, witnessed firsthand the increase in adoptions and fostering around times of disaster.
Chandler noted that many families initially took in animals as fosters to help free up shelter space, only to realize they could not imagine life without them.
“It warmed my heart to see so many fosters find their forever homes because the bonds that were formed were so deep,” Chandler said, referring to those who chose to give their fostered pets a permanent home after the hurricanes.
Applebaum’s research supports these claims, showing adoption rates spike during the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Shelters across Florida, including Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, reported having nearly empty shelters after hurricanes Helene and Milton. This leap in adoptions demonstrates the emotional support individuals received when fostering pets during a crisis.
For rescue organizations like FLUFF, the hurricanes reinforced the importance of coming together as a community. Chandler explained how local volunteers and workers played a vital role in helping these animals find homes. She recalled residents lining up to not only take animals, but also provide supplies needed.
“It was a reminder of the power of community and how people will come together when it matters the most,” Chandler said.
As the beat drops, neon lights reflect off drinks and local DJs spin tracks at a crowded dive bar in St. Petersburg, The Bends. Seen as the heartbeat of Sector FM, a Florida-based radio station, the faces behind the music come from Vonne Parks and Andre “Dre” Gainey, members of the band They Hate Change.
The idea to create a radio station was sparked through live broadcasts and community-centered events while touring the U.K.
“When we saw how simplified live radio could be, we thought, the Gulf Coast needs this—a radio station,” Gainey said.
Their vision was met with enthusiastic support from friends back home, including Zoe Robinson, also known as DJ Fesssi K. According to Gainey, their friends were eager to help turn that vision into reality, turning what started as a side quest into a community movement.
Parks and Gainey’s experiences on tour ignited the concept for Sector FM, Gainey said. According to the two artists, they were exposed to a vibrant radio culture in the U.K. and realized the potential for something similar in their hometown.
“There’s always something sick going on,” Robinson said. “I get put onto so much new music. A lot of us are really into DJing or singing ourselves, but we also love listening to other stations like NTS and Foundation FM. It made perfect sense to bring that energy to St. Pete, where we knew it could create real influence.”
Although Sector FM’s studio recordings take place at St. Petersburgs The Factory, The Bends’ atmosphere comes alive during live performances, giving audiences an in-person taste of the magic of radio, Robinson said.
A key factor in Sector FM’s success has been its partnership with The Bends, a dive bar that has become the venue for many of the radio station’s live shows. A frequent customer of The Bends emphasized the synergy between the station and the dive bar.
“Sector FM has brought a unique energy to the space, boosting foot traffic and connecting us with a whole new crowd,” the customer said.
The return of live music has revitalized The Bends, making it a central gathering spot for fans of St. Pete’s ever-evolving music scene.
For artists like Deja Denice, a singer and DJ who has performed on Sector FM, she said the platform has been a refreshing experience.
“In less than a year, I went from being the oddball listener and being scared to get on aux around friends to DJing at a festival,” Denice said. “On Sector FM, there are no oddities, but we are side-eying if you’re moving inauthentically.”
Through programming that has an emphasis on community engagement, Sector FM is becoming a cornerstone of St. Pete’s underground music scene.
“The goal is to keep growing, feature more artists outside of our friend bubble, and make live radio something so undeniably vital within our city,” Parks said.
Debris continues to litter neighborhoods, with moldy furniture and vegetation still piled along curbsides. Many residents still wear expressions of disbelief, as they grapple with the sudden upheaval of their lives.
Following the destruction left by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many St. Petersburg residents are weighing whether to rebuild their lives or seek new beginnings elsewhere.
“For this business, the slow season is already from summer through October, so it was already quiet,” said Dorian Benash, an associate at Graphi-ko Gallery about local businesses. “With the hurricanes, we noticed even fewer customers coming in. People are more often window shopping. Folks have less spending money because they are focused on cleaning up and getting their lives back together.”
When it comes to flood zones, many businesses worry about their potential relocation.
“My boss has been here for about 14 years and is pretty set on sticking it out,” Benash said. “Fortunately, this shop is not in a flood zone, but we’ve even discussed getting a second job just to keep up with the bills.”
Damaged furniture and personal belongings still sit curbside along multiple neighborhoods, showing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Milton. (Photo by Christopher Hooker/NNB)
For many Floridians, frequent hurricanes have become a way of life, with most viewing them as manageable challenges. However, this year’s storms seem to have shifted that perspective, especially in Tampa Bay, which usually escapes severe damage. Now, some residents are beginning to consider moving further inland.
“I know quite a few people who have volunteered to help clean up other areas of St. Pete,” Benash said. “It is a great feeling to see neighbors coming together, helping older couples pull out moldy furniture from their homes. It is truly rewarding.”
The St. Pete area, known for its tranquil beaches, typically draws in tourists seeking a coastal escape. The beaches are now currently devastated but in recovery, and it is unlikely tourists will be returning soon.
Other businesses, like the Rocket Fizz franchise, were not as fortunate. While their St. Pete location was spared, their location on Clearwater Beach suffered a foot of flood water, forcing the owner to close it down.
Cynthia Calleia, a Rocket Fizz sales associate, described the hardships she and her family faced.
“The last hurricane left me out of work for six days, and I did not qualify for FEMA assistance,” Calleia said. “I am working here now and waiting to go back to my regular job just to stay afloat. The silver lining has been helping others in tougher situations. Just because we made it out okay does not mean we cannot help those with nowhere else to turn.”
With what feels like considerable time and effort from the community, some residents see the recovery process as progress. However, others are considering relocating to avoid future weather threats.
Streets turn into spots of temporary landfill after the destruction of Hurricane Helene and Milton. (Photo by Christopher Hooker/NNB)
Lillie Williams of Pinellas County recollects her experience during Hurricane Milton.
“I was asleep in the other bedroom during Hurricane Milton, and I heard a huge crashing noise that startled me out my sleep,” Williams said. “The next thing that I knew, a large branch had fallen through my roof. I am forever grateful to be alive, but the thought of starting over is truly overwhelming and disappointing. I’ve nearly lost everything. Having to contact all my financial institutions and repeat my situation over and over is just the icing on the cake.”
Willams noted that once she overcomes this challenge, she is seriously considering moving further inland, away from large bodies of water.
“As someone on a fixed income, starting over at my age with nothing is beyond words,” Williams said. “I lost material possessions, but it is the irreplaceable things like pictures of my grandchildren growing up that truly affects me the most.”
Artificial Intelligence, known as technology that allows computers to imitate human intelligence, is reshaping the art world by introducing new opportunities and ethical concerns.
As AI-driven creations enter mainstream galleries and artist studios, St. Petersburg’s vibrant art scene may face a significant transformation. Some fear AI’s influence could dilute the authenticity for which the city is known.
“As a creative in the modern world, I am neither ‘strongly against’ nor ‘strongly for’ AI in the art world because I see how it can have both a positive and negative effect,” said Hailey Kammerer, an upcoming traditional artist navigating AI’s growing presence in today’s art.
As AI becomes more prominent, St. Petersburg’s art scene is confronting new challenges. While some artists embrace the creativity that AI can offer, others, like Kammerer, express concerns about ethical issues and the potential loss of authenticity in the city’s creative spaces.
“Keeping up with all the AI technological advances nowadays can be challenging,” Kammerer said, emphasizing her openness to learning while not abandoning traditional methods.
Kammerer, who recently interned at Evolve & Co., — a team of brand researchers and digital strategists– uses AI for specific design tasks like quick selections and background removals.
She believes artists shouldn’t feel pressure to discard established techniques just to adapt to new trends. Instead, she believes artists can balance innovation with tradition by integrating AI tools selectively.
One of the ethical concerns surrounding AI in the art world involves the question of originality and the respect owed to human artists. Kammerer criticized AI’s reliance on data that often includes other artists’ works without consent or compensation– a method she finds both disappointing and devaluing.
“As a creative who genuinely loves the process of creating, I find it disappointing that typing in a compilation of words to generate a complete design or illustration gives it the potential ability to replace certain jobs and individuals,” Kammerer said.
Although she doubts AI can fully replace human artists, she worries that reliance on AI may undervalue the personal touch and experiences that can be seen in human-created art, she said.
McArthur Freeman, a traditional artist and USF associate professor who has incorporated AI into his work, views technology as a tool with unlimited potential. Freeman’s project, “Imagine Blackness,” expresses representation in AI-generated art.
An AI-generated portrait from McArthur Freeman’s “Imagine Blackness” series in early 2023 explores themes of identity and representation. Freeman uses AI to visualize alternate realities, creating a vision that challenges traditional perceptions of Black identity. (Photo Illustration by McArthur Freeman)
He shared that over the years, as technology has advanced, he now sees the computer differently. He sees the computer as his medium, and he uses AI as one of many tools for tasks like concept development. However, Freeman also acknowledged its ethical concerns.
“One significant issue is whether or not AI companies can use the work of others to train models,” he said, noting the lack of consent and compensation in training datasets.
Despite these concerns, Freeman sees the technology’s potential to work collaboratively with artists in a way that would elevate creative expression.
Freeman also acknowledges that AI could disrupt commercial art jobs, particularly in roles like illustration or video editing where speed and cost may outweigh artistic vision.
Fine arts, like gallery and museum pieces, are less likely to be overshadowed by AI given their emphasis on unique perspectives and personal expression, Freeman added.
As AI art continues to make its way into the art scene, St. Petersburg may see its artistic landscape shift in many ways. For a city known for its street murals, galleries and art studios, the area thrives on its hands-on community driven approach to art. The rise of AI generated work could allow artists to experiment with new forms, possibly broadening the city’s art appeal.
While technology makes it easy to produce art that’s convincing and at a fast pace, there’s a possible risk of ruining the character of St. Pete’s local art community. The individuality of local artists could be in jeopardy and residents like Reece Townsend fear that this could undermine the city’s creative spaces.
“St. Pete’s art is about the people, the stories and the creativity that make it unique,” Townsend said. “AI-generated sort of feels lifeless, like it’s taking shortcuts that don’t really end up having that human touch.”
Townsend said that pieces like the Vitale Brothers’ mural, a tribute to the Tampa Bay Rays and their new City Connect uniforms, authentically represent the city’s spirit for art.
“Look at the City Connect mural by the Vitale Brothers,” Townsend said. “That’s a piece that truly represents our city.”
As AI technology continues to evolve, St. Petersburg’s art community faces an uncertain yet intriguing future, with artists and the community debating whether AI is a valuable complement or a disruption to the city’s vibrant culture.
Once a quiet industrial zone, St. Petersburg’s EDGE District has blossomed into a lively hub for arts, dining and entertainment. As new businesses, high-end shops and luxury residences transform the area, the district stands at a pivotal moment, balancing its historic character with the pressures of modernization.
The EDGE District’s journey parallels the nationwide conversation on urban redevelopment, particularly as St. Petersburg undertakes the $6 billion Historic Gas Plant District project, adding complexity to the growth-versus-preservation debate.
For longtime resident Eleanor Grant, 78, who has lived in St. Petersburg for over 50 years and visits the EDGE District often, the changes bring both excitement and concern.
“With all the new construction and redevelopment plans, especially around the Historic Gas Plant District, I’m not sure how these changes will impact tourism,” Grant said.
While Grant said she appreciates economic growth, she worries that the unique qualities that drew people to the area may be overshadowed by rapid development.
The EDGE District’s transformation from an industrial area to a cultural destination exemplifies the power of urban redevelopment. Initially defined by its warehouses, factories and industrial roots, the district fostered a resilient community.
In the late 20th century, artists and entrepreneurs began converting spacious industrial buildings into galleries, studios and shops, sparking an art-driven revival that drew wider attention and investment.
Now, the influx of high-end retail and luxury condominiums presents a new challenge: how to maintain the district’s essence while fueling economic growth.
This tension is a common thread in urban redevelopment, where modern infrastructure and historic preservation often clash.
Debbie Reeser, the Board President of the EDGE Business District Association, emphasized the unique challenges faced by long-standing businesses.
“Escalating lease rates are the largest challenge for small business owners who do not own the property where their business is located,” Reeser said.
Reeser also mentioned that parking has been an issue, though a new garage under construction is expected to alleviate this. Along with this, for property owners, rising insurance costs and increased product expenses threaten profit margins.
Despite these pressures, Reeser said, many established business owners are excited about the neighborhood’s transformation, recognizing that growth brings more customers to their doors.
Newer businesses, meanwhile, are actively contributing to the district’s evolving identity. Reeser highlights the role of new hotels and other establishments in enhancing what the EDGE District has to offer. However, these businesses face the challenge of fitting into a historically rich district while pursuing modern business goals.
“I believe these are not mutually exclusive,” Reeser said, acknowledging the higher costs for developers who choose to renovate and preserve older buildings. “We like to remind all developers that it is our unique historic character that brings customers to our district and, consequently, adds to their profitability.”
Jeremy Cunningham, 32, has lived in St. Petersburg for a decade, witnessing firsthand the area’s rapid transformation. As a frequent visitor to the EDGE District, along with living nearby, he enjoys the growing number of local shops, galleries and bars, but also feels the impact of rising rent costs, he said.
“When I first moved downtown, rent was affordable, and it felt like a tight-knit community of artists, young professionals and families,” Cunningham said. “Now, the rent has nearly doubled, and some of the people who made this area so vibrant can’t afford to stay.”
Cunningham said he appreciates the new businesses and infrastructure, but worries about long-term affordability.
The EDGE District’s development reflects broader trends in urban redevelopment across the United States, where unique, arts-focused areas face potential dilution as luxury establishments move in.
“Growth is good, but it should be balanced,” Cunningham said. “If we do not preserve what makes downtown unique, we risk losing the community that brought it to life in the first place.”
His concerns reflect a common sentiment: while progress is positive, it should support inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that residents, artists and small businesses remain integral to the community.
The EDGE District’s transformation illustrates the broader challenge of balancing urban growth with cultural preservation. As St. Petersburg continues to evolve, the EDGE District’s journey offers valuable lessons for other historic areas navigating similar redevelopment pressures.
The perspectives of residents, business owners and city officials underscore the importance of preserving community character amid change. With thoughtful planning and active community involvement, the EDGE District has the potential to thrive as a dynamic neighborhood that honors its past while embracing new opportunities.
This balanced approach could ensure that the district continues to serve as both a cultural landmark and an evolving urban space, preserving its legacy as it grows.
