By means of Xermi Jenkins, Contributor
Pinellas Diaspora Arts Undertaking’s 3rd Tampa Bay Chalk Pageant will likely be hung on Saturday, Would possibly 3, from 9 am to 4 pm at the historical Deuces hall alongside 22nd St. from 7th Ave S to 9th Ave S, with the theme “Our Watery Futures.”
This moment’s competition is being subsidized by way of the Town of St. Pete along side Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) and contains an environmental panel at WADA/ArtXchange 515 twenty second St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, from midday to one pm.
Panelists come with Educator Joseph Dorsey, USF Laborer Dean for Instructional Affairs and Director of Meals Sustainability and Safety; Kira Barrera of Suncoast Sierra Membership; Erica Hardison of One Family Grocery Co-op; and Jessica Lewis of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. The panel will likely be moderated by way of Maranda Douglas of the Pinellas Diaspora Arts Undertaking.
On Monday, March 17, artists concerned within the 3rd Tampa Bay Chalk Pageant met for a studying consultation round native watery techniques, led by way of TBEP’s Jessica Lewis.
PDAP’s Chalk Pageant organizer Debi Yati Garrett, along side competition artists and network contributors, took section within the studying consultation. Moderated by way of PDAP board member Maranda Douglas, the consultation was once hung on Zoom and incorporated an academic slide presentation for artists sharing perception on Tampa Bay’s waterways.
“It was an extremely educational and interesting presentation that we hope supports the artists’ understanding of some of Tampa Bay’s environmental concerns as they consider the festival’s theme as they plan their artwork,” affirmed Garrett.
The chalk competition’s focal point at the climate was once impressed by way of PDAP board member Jabaar Edmond’s paintings with Family Building and Coaching (CDAT) on native environmental problems, together with the “Smell Something, Say Something” marketing campaign.
When Garrett first got here up with the speculation to do a chalk competition in 2023, conversations with board contributors dropped at brightness the chance to have interaction households within the noteceable environmental problems with the patch.
The development additionally offer native organizations the chance to proportion knowledge as they desk at the Deuces the future of the competition.
“Living in Tampa Bay, we are surrounded by water, it is in the air we breathe, the views we cherish, and the rhythms of our daily lives. Our bays, estuaries, and coastlines shape our culture, our climate, and our community,” shared Garrett. “We saw an opportunity to use art as a bridge—connecting people to place, culture to conservation, and stories to stewardship.”
“Chalk art felt like the perfect medium—playful and temporary, yet incredibly powerful in its ability to tell stories and spark awareness. It invites people of all ages to stop, observe, and connect—with the art, artists, and free art activities.”
The long-time St. Pete coach and artist relayed how the competition has served “a space where creativity flourishes and where people can collectively explore the link between cultural expression and environmental responsibility.”
She famous that by way of mixing creativity with environmental training, the competition targets to encourage the network to “view our waterways not just as beautiful backdrops, but as living, vital parts of our ecosystem that deserve our care and protection.”
Help for this moment’s competition got here from sponsors together with the Town of St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, WADA/ArtsXchange, Deuces Reside, Inventive Pinellas, A Mom’s Fingers, and companies alongside the twenty second Boulevard Hall.
Garrett added that detached gala’s turn out to be a testomony to the ability of community-led projects. “Though the chalk eventually washes away, the impressions it leaves behind are lasting, and we hope, help people feel connected to the land and water around them.”
To be informed extra, talk over with https://tbchalkfest.com, and practice the development on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tampabaychalkfestival, Fb at https://www.facebook.com/events/1125457646067895.
To learn about Pinellas Diaspora Arts Undertaking, talk over with https://pinellasdap.org, and practice them on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pinellasdap, Fb, https://www.facebook.com/PinellasDAP, and Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/pinellas-diaspora-arts-project.
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