Coming Soon

The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism, is proud to announce the eleventh year of the Individual Artist Grant Program. This initiative offers grants of up to $5,000 to support artist-led projects that enrich the St. Petersburg community by promoting artistic excellence and expanding access to diverse and innovative arts experiences.

The program is designed to support public engagement with individual artists working across a variety of genres, including Visual and Craft Arts, Music, Theater, Literature, and more. It is open to artists at all stages of their careers, with a special focus on emerging artists who are looking to expand their creative practice, reach new audiences, and take meaningful steps forward in their professional development.

These grants aim to amplify the voices of local artists, support their growth, and strengthen their impact on St. Petersburg’s cultural landscape. In alignment with the city’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, special consideration will be given to projects that reflect these values—ensuring that all members of our community can see themselves reflected in the arts.

  2024 Individual Artist Grant Recipients

Gabriela Jaxon – Multidisciplinary Artist, Muralist, Paint

Gabriela Jaxon is a Peruvian-born, multidisciplinary artist and first-generation college graduate dedicated to using art as a catalyst for social change and community empowerment. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Communications, focused on Art Therapy, from Florida Southern College, she blends academic knowledge with artistic talent to create transformative public art. 

Over the past eight years, Gabriela has specialized in large-scale murals and public art installations that uplift communities. Her work, known for its vibrant colors and ethereal compositions, transforms public spaces into sanctuaries of joy and unity. As a DACA recipient, Gabriela’s resilience journey informs her art, allowing her to connect with diverse audiences, particularly youth and marginalized groups.

Brief description of their project or artistic focus: “Hoops for Hope” is a community-driven art project that will transform a City of St. Petersburg Parks & Rec basketball court into a vibrant mural. This project blends the dynamic energy of sports with the creative power of art, creating a space that inspires, uplifts and unites the community. The mural will be executed in a paint-by-number style, allowing participants of all skill levels to contribute meaningfully. The end product will be a beautifully designed court that serves as both a functional sports facility and a lasting symbol of unity and community pride. 

Jason Hackenwerth – Multidisciplinary Artist, Paint, Sculpture

Jason Hackenwerth is a multidisciplinary artist working in the fields of painting, sculpture, and installation. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the National Museums in Scotland. Jason received his MFA in painting from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2010 and a Bachelor of Fine Art in printmaking from Webster University in 1997. Press includes The New York Times, Art In America, Surface Magazine, American Craft, Design Journal, Sculpture Magazine, Metal Magazine, Art Desk, Creative Review UK, and Creative Review. Jason is a 2011 Pollock-Krasner Foundation Inc. grant recipient and a 2018 and 2022 recipient of the Creative Pinellas Professional Artist Grant.

He currently lives and works in St Petersburg, FL.

Brief description of their project or artistic focus: My artistic intent is to use the power of storytelling through live performance, music, and sculpture to engage and connect with audiences deeply and with great intensity. The project I propose will combine the worlds of opera, choreography, and visual art in a new and cross-disciplinary way. I will create several fantastic wearable sculptures made with latex balloons in vivid colors and elaborate designs. These exotic forms will be worn by some of the most talented dancers and performers in our region, who will contribute to the movement of the works.

 Jeremy Douglass – Pianist, Music Composer, Director and Sound Design

Jeremy Douglass is a pianist, the resident composer/sound designer/music director for Jobsite Theater, and the leader of the acclaimed ensemble, The Florida Björkestra. His recent past sees him as music director for Jobsite Theater’s productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Shockheaded Peter, Hedwig and The Angry Inch, and Alice.

He has composed original scores for dozens of productions, including Hamlet (Jobsite Theater), Dracula (Jobsite Theater), Silent Sky (American Stage), The Crucible (ThinkTank/Tampa Rep), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Jobsite Theater). As the founder of the Florida Bjorkestra, he has brought to the stage the music of pop pioneers like Bjork, Kate Bush, and David Bowie (and also a musical from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) with his 30-piece (and growing) ensemble of instrumentalists and vocalists.

Brief description of their project or artistic focus: The Bjorkestra decided to take a theatrical turn, and I created a chamber pop orchestral arrangement of “Once More With Feeling,” the musical episode of the very popular 90s TV show Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Dubbed “Buffyfest” and held at the Palladium, the show sold out in 2017, 2018, and 2019. The Bjorkestra was prepared to perform in April 2020; however, the show was canceled due to the pandemic. The time now feels right to resurrect this trendy musical experience, and the next Buffyfest is scheduled for April 5, 2025. The end product will be a high-quality professional production at the Palladium, featuring local musicians and vocalists performing the music from this wildly popular, iconic television show. 

Sara Salem – Muralist, Painter

Sara Salem is a multi-talented mural artist based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and a co-founder of Phi Phi Artland and Milky Way Retreats. With a rich art teacher, yoga instructor, and mural painter background, Sara enjoys sharing her passions through wellness retreats, art classes, and workshops. Her expertise spans designing and implementing mural projects, instructing yoga, and fostering creativity in diverse settings.

Sara's artistic journey began in Egypt, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts with a major in painting from Alexandria University. Over the past decade, she has taught art to adults and K-12 students across Africa, Asia, and the USA. Her diverse experience has equipped her with a dynamic and inclusive teaching style that resonates with students of all ages and backgrounds. A firm believer in the therapeutic benefits of art, Sara approaches her work from a holistic perspective. She is convinced that art can be a powerful tool for achieving higher levels of well-being, self-awareness, and wholeness. Her teaching and artistic practices reflect this philosophy, where she creates stimulating and inclusive learning environments that encourage self-expression and critical thinking.

Brief description of their project or artistic focus: Mural Magic is an ambitious project to create a large, vibrant mural on a storefront in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. The mural will serve as a colorful and inspiring focal point in the community, celebrating the diverse cultures and stories that make up our city. Designed as a "paint by numbers" mural, it will allow community members of all ages and artistic abilities to contribute, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in the final artwork.