Call for Submissions for a New Exhibition Titled THE THINGS THEY LEFT BEHIND to premier at Creative Pinellas
(Largo, FL) – Creative Pinellas is reaching out to the community to lend items, for their upcoming exhibition, “THE THINGS THEY LEFT BEHIND: Grief, Discovery, and Remembrance.” Conceived as a way to memorialize and honor those who have passed away over the last two years from Covid and other causes, they are asking community members for work created by their loved ones. They are looking for artwork, photographs, handwritten recipes, journals, handmade clothing, correspondence, poetry – anything that is meaningful and gives us a glimpse of the people being remembered.
“We talked to so many people over the last two years who found themselves unable to go through the mourning process during Covid and wanted to find a way to come together as a community to help heal,” said CEO of Creative Pinellas, Barbara St. Clair. “Last year, when we installed Cathy Tobias’ Covid Ribbon Memorial in the courtyard of the gallery, we saw how it made a connection for people the way only art can. Learning from that, we wanted to give our community a further opportunity to share and remember those they loved and lost.”
St. Clair added “During our discussions, we were reminded that a dear friend of ours, artist, and arts administrator Suzanne Ruley, had left behind a tremendous amount of creative work that her husband Matt discovered after she passed away from Covid. We recognized that many people were having similar experiences, and we felt it would be healing for them to join with us to share their discoveries in an exhibit also featuring Suzanne’s work.”
Community members can bring their artwork to the Gallery at Creative Pinellas, located at 12211 Walsingham Blvd on the grounds of the Botanical Gardens, Wednesday through Sunday between now and Sunday, April 17, or to the Creative Pinellas administrative offices during regular business hours by appointment only. Items submitted will be catalogued and included in the exhibit and returned to their owners when the exhibit ends in mid-June.
“I believe that objects have power,” said Interim Gallery Director Beth Gelman, “and this exhibition aims to give the objects that were left behind by the people we love the appropriate respect and voice. In learning the stories behind the objects, we can carry on the legacy of those who are no longer with us.”
“THE THINGS THEY LEFT BEHIND: Grief, Discovery, and Remembrance” will open with a reception and program on Thursday, May 12 from 6-8pm and run through June 26.