Localista: ARTpool Celebrates 3 Year Rule

The Localista thinks a celebration is always in order whenever a local business makes it past the one year mark. The fact that ARTpool Gallery and Vintage Boutique is celebrating three years since it opened is cause for, as owner Marina Williams dubs it, an “epic art pARTy.”  Epic is certainly a word one uses to describe Marina and her outfits, including the one she wore to the opening of the Chihuly Collection made entirely of ARTpool’s postcards, but even more epic is what Marina and ARTpool have done for the Burg in those three years.

The idea for the gallery materialized when Marina returned to St. Pete, from which she hails, after receiving her Master of Fine Arts from the University of East London. She had already lived in Valencia, Spain, as part of her third year at the New College of Florida, working for the renowned Galería Rosa Santos and had interned at the extraordinary Cue Art Foundation in New York City. While she was eager to show her work, it was deemed a bit too avant-garde by the more traditional galleries exhibiting “safer” subjects in the day that was way before the 600 Block. Marina thinks that people should appreciate artists in the here and now, not just the ones that become famous when they die. So, she decided she’d open a place where not only would she show her own work (mainly photography and more recently, jewelry), but allowing local artists to show theirs too so that they could “live off their amazing talents.” The gallery rents wall space to them, allowing them to keep 100% of their individual sales and takes no commission. One of her greatest joys is making a call to an artist to let them know they’ve sold their first piece.



Artists can also show their work at themed monthly events that have been a part of ARTpool since the very beginning. To date, Marina has put on almost 45 events and they have always been the talk of the town, encompassing not just art, but body-art, fashion and music. Saturday's event is going to be the “best of the best” and, rightly so, as it’s the third anniversary pARTy (details below). And as a highlight, Marina will have her own work on display, which had been put on hold for a while. 

Every month you can experience something completely different at these events, but that’s also what happens whenever you walk into ARTpool. It’s a head-spinning, giddiness-inducing moment as everywhere you look, every nook and cranny is filled with something fantabulous - whether that’s the aforementioned art, or the vintage fashion that’s also integral to the gallery, the spectacular jewelry, the vinyl records or even items for the home.  There’s also an Etsy store for her vintage goods that she plans to expand later this year – the first sale was actually made to someone in Poland!

However, nothing beats entering her space and being greeted by either Marina or her incredibly supportive mother, Becky. Her parents and boyfriend, Evan, have been instrumental not just during the build-out but ever since. ARTpool has actually fostered a sense of family and community in St. Pete by allowing artists to prosper and collaborate and by providing an approachable place in which we get to meet them. I think Marina is one of our true treasures. Before the Chihuly Collection, before the 600 Block, there was ARTpool and I think you should definitely dive in – it’s more than fine!

The Localista always asks business owners what was their favorite book as a child.  Marina’s was Pippi Longstocking (Unconventional, her?  Never!)

ARTpool Gallery and Vintage Boutique is located at 919 1st Avenue North in downtown St. Pete and is open Tue – Sat from 12 pm to 6 pm
www.artpoolrules.com
 
ARTpool’s 3rd Anniversary Art/Fashion/Body Art pARTy is taking place this Saturday, April 16th from 8 pm to midnight.  Dress up for the red carpet as this show is going to be epic!  Tickets in advance are $10 through April 15th at the gallery or on www.artpoolrules.com and day of the event - $15 (cash or check). 

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This story is contributed by:

“The Localista,” aka Olga Bof, will be opening her own local independent business, Cheeky Monkeys Books & Toys, later this year in Downtown St. Pete (www.facebook.com/cheekymonkeysbooks for updates).

Photography by Featured Artist of the Burg (FAB) Sheri Kendrick of Enchanted Forest Photography.


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