“Everything is art. Everything is politics.” - Ai Weiwei
The Collab at 3833 recently hosted the “Be the Wave Keep St. Pete Blue Art Show.” It was everything art and everything politics. The evening elevated artists, showcasing their works, and the importance of elections, voting, and activism.
“Wild Country”
The Collab’s Starlett Massey of Massey Law Group (MLG) introduced the first artist of the evening, poet Maureen McDole. The author of three books and a literary champion in St Pete, Maureen, and Starlett first collaborated on the Florida CraftArt “The Art of Healing” event in 2020. At Maureen’s “Be the Wave” performance, she read her poem “Wild Country.”
The poem discusses freedom and individuality. It is a compelling celebration of women finding their power and protecting what is sacred. “Wild Country” honors seeing all the possibilities of being fully ourselves—not conforming but fully realizing our desires and passions. It ends, “I was not made for containment. I am wild country.”
Impressions of Life as a Young Voter
“Wild Country” was followed by Meg Cox, a former intern for MLG. Meg shared her impression of life as a young voter. Born in November of 1999, six months after Columbine, she shared that she has never known a world without active shooter lockdown drills, where climate change wasn't a discussion, or where her body and choices made about it weren’t on the ballot.
She spoke of voting in her first election in 2020 and mobilizing her friends to vote. She also reflected on the past few years, hope, and knowing that change is possible.
League of Women Voters
Maryellen Gordon, Co-Chair of Voter Services and the local chapter's Community Partners Liaison, shared with guests the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area’s mission and a personal challenge. The League, a nonpartisan non-profit founded in 1939, is making a difference in St. Pete through its voter services and issue-based advocacy.
Her challenge to guests was to:
Abolish “can’t” from your vocabulary regarding voting and civic engagement. You must, and you can!
Understand the importance of local elections. The issues they decide impact your everyday life. Remember that one vote in a local election can make a difference.
Be an educated voter. Research elections, issues, and candidates from smart, reliable, and trusted sources.
Pinellas County Democratic Party
The Collab’s Liz Moneymaker of Ferrarri, Butler, and Moneymaker PLLC introduced Pinellas County Democratic Party Chairperson Jennifer Griffith. Jennifer spoke with guests about how to support the seven municipalities with Democrats running in upcoming elections. She emphasized the importance of local elections and said, “These are the people who decide if your street has a curb or if it gets flooded. They decide all of the little things that impact your daily life. They're incredibly important and a great way to build candidates for future seats like the state legislature.”
For information on Pinellas County municipal elections and candidates, you can visit the Pinellas County Democratic Party website. Jennifer says that she has never seen a more engaged youth than Gen Z ever, and she shared that she sat through that 2018 recount as Bill Nelson and Andrew Gillum didn't make the cut by a hair and reminded guests — EVERY VOTE COUNTS!
House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell
The Collab’s Kristina Feher of Feher Law introduced Cat Margaux, Volunteer and Events Coordinator, with House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell’s office. Cat is also the Florida Democratic Party Youth Council Membership Chair and VP of USF St. Pete College Democrats.
Cat shared what Fentrice’s team is working on to fight for every Floridian’s freedom to be healthy, prosperous, and safe. This includes the initiative to share the story of Floridians, amplify voices, and tell the real story of Florida. Cat also shared the impact volunteers can make and encouraged guests to consider volunteering to contribute their strengths to making a difference and turning the tide in Florida.
Rocking the Vote for Art
“The best art is political, and you ought to be able to make it unquestionably political and irrevocably beautiful at the same time.” - Toni Morrison
The “Be the Wave Keep St. Pete Blue Art Show” represented 16 artists, and guests voted for their favorite artists’ pieces. The first-place winner received a complimentary limited liability company from MLG and a basic estate planning package from Liz Moneymaker, P.A.
Winners were:
First Place: Falyn Horrigan “Perissa”
Runner Up: Dave Smith “Ban This”
Honorable Mention: Cynthia Smith “Why Vote Blue?”
The Collab thanks all artists and partners who participated in the event, including:
Maureen McDole, “Wild Country” and “Moving Forward”
Genevieve Hill-Thomas, Reflection
Vanessa Valleray, Symmetry
Falyn Horrigan, Perissa
Ashley Rivers, Contemplation
David Smith, Ban This
Cynthia Smith, Why Vote Blue?
Trisha Calixte, Seafoam
Deborah Kivett, We Are Water
Pavel Amromin, Presidential Collection
Merk the Moment, Poetry on Demand
Xan Peters, Sirena
Jeffrey A. Moore, Moonlit Tree
Dolores King, The Last Voyage
Oliver Jackson Jr., Ocean #03
Talia Semaan, Sunset’s Embrace
Jim Webb of The Webb Works for photography/videography
Lay-Low Chateau for catering
Maryellen Gordon, Co-Chair of Voter Services, Head of Voter Registration Team, and the local chapter’s community partners liaison of the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area
Jennifer Griffith, Pinellas County Democratic Party
Cat Margaux (they/them), campaign staff for House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell
Meghan Cox for Impressions from a Young Voter
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