Wandering Star Gallery Owner "Humbled" By Grand Opening Turnout

Tanya Pistillo's lifelong dream - to open an art gallery in her hometown - became a reality on Saturday, and it was an emotional event for her.

Tanya Pistillo had been planning for the grand opening of her art gallery for most of her life. Ever since she had a vision while she was in high school of creating a community focused endeavor in downtown Largo, she had been working constantly in some way shape or form for that day to arrive. Saturday the culmination of Pistillo's years, months and days of hard work paid off, as the opening of her Wandering Star Gallery was deemed a big success by all who attended. "I'm really excited to see this gallery here," Largo City Commissioner Jamie Robinson said. "It's nice to see foot traffic here on West Bay Drive." "Tanya is extremely community driven. I think she has the vision and the drive to really get something going here," he added. "I …

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Largo Woman Hopes To Unite Community Through Art

Tanya Pistillo is opening a community art gallery on West Bay Drive, and her plans go way beyond brick and mortar success.

Tanya Pistillo has a vision for her hometown. The lifelong Largo resident hopes to unite the community via her new West Bay gallery, Wandering Star, which she is currently working feverishly to open.  And even though the self-professed straight shooter admits she has little working capital and no formal art training, she possesses something more vital for what she plans to do — talent and passion. “I’ve always been artistic, ever since I was eight years old,” she said during a break. “And I’m very community driven. So I started thinking what could I do that’s bigger for this community?”  “I’ve never taken a formal art class,” she added. “But if all I have is my hands, put it together with my heart and I’m unstoppable.” Pistillo’s vision is…

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Moms, Pops and Entrepreneurs

Mechanic Leaves Secure Job To Pursue Passion in Photography

Tim Hubbard left his stable career as a mechanic to pursue his passion in photography. Hubbard and his brothers opened their online art gallery called Art Gone Bad in 2001.

For some being an artist is something that can be learned, but for Tim Hubbard, art runs deep in his blood. Hubbard left his secure career as a mechanic to pursue his passion in photography. Although the pay was great, there was something missing, he said, the chance to create art. He studied to be a mechanic shortly after graduating high school, but his first job was in his first love, photography. “My first job when I was teenager was product photography and weddings. I enjoy the endless possibilities, being creative is what it’s all about,” Hubbard said. Hubbard said at 20 years old, he started shooting local bands and started developing his skills as a creative-experimental photographer. His artistic trait is using a slow shutter speed…

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Largo's Festival of Arts: Art and Floral Show Highlights Local Artists

The two-day event featured local artists, vendors, live demonstrations, workshops and food. Art pieces were judged in four categories: art, floral art, art-inspired floral combinations and Ikebana.

Patrick Gaughan used thick brushes to paint a vase of flowers, while Muriel Scrivner, created a fresh floral arrangement inspired by his work. Approximately 40 people watched art transform before their eyes. Scrivner, a Ph.D. and Ikebana floral expert, and Gaughan demonstrated a joint, live art presentation, which began with a blank canvass and an empty vase. The painting and floral arrangement was auctioned to benefit the Florida Sheriff Youth Ranch. The winning bid for the pair was $110.00. The art demonstration was one of several events offered at the Art and Floral Show, part of Largo's Sixth Annual Festival of Arts. Held at Largo’s new community center, the two-day event displayed work of local artists and various vendors. It ended …

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Discover an Artistic Treasure Hidden Within Largo

Tina Smith and her daughter run the unique art gallery, Art at the Plaza.

Art at the Plaza does not resemble a stereotypical art gallery. There are no white walls, isolated frames or highlighted sculptures. Rather, it is perhaps the manifestation of an art lover’s sub-conscience. With paintings piled on top of paintings, and ponderous glass statues standing beside bronze figures fixed in yoga poses, one can get lost among an eruption of style and color. Thankfully, Tina Smith is there to guide you through it all. Smith has owned the art gallery for 17 years and has shared all responsibilities with her daughter, Tracy Stanich, for the past nine. Together they make the gallery go, which includes commissioning works, advising individual and corporate collectors, and connect prospective buyers to various artists. “…

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Arts and Crafts Fair is a Monthly Treasure Hunt

The Emporium Furniture store in Largo held their monthly arts and crafts fair on Saturday, December 11, 2010.

The gold vintage-style long necklace Gay Raftery tried on started out as a gift for her daughter, but after a few minutes in front of the mirror and compliments from fellow shoppers it became hers.  "That's a fun piece," Raftery said.  At the Emporium, a gift and garden store in Largo, 25 artists, craftsmen and jewelery makers showcased their work on Saturday December 11, at a monthly arts and crafts fair. Victoria Semones, a jewelery maker for 25 years, had a collection of old chains, adornments made out of percussion caps, Victorian-style earrings and bracelets from $20 to $45.  Florida-inspired paintings by Betsi Burgess sold for $45 and $85. Her work features flamingos, lilac flowers and tropical themes painted on thacker, the same …

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