Congratulations to the 2024 Grant Recipients!
Now in its tenth year, the Individual Artist Grant celebrates winners who enrich our community through diverse, innovative projects.
St. Petersburg Arts Alliance is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of the prestigious Individual Artist Grant, funded by the City of St. Petersburg’s Arts, Culture, and Tourism. Directed by Celeste Davis, the grant supports emerging and established artists in pursuing innovative and creative projects. This year, four exceptional artists have been selected for their outstanding vision and talent.
The Individual Artist Grant offers financial support to artists pursuing ambitious projects and new creative directions. This year’s recipients were chosen from a highly competitive pool, showcasing exceptional talent and dedication.
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.
$5000 Grants
Each grant recipient will receive $5,000 to support their artistic projects, with opportunities to showcase their work through exhibitions, performances, and community engagements. This grant underscores St. Petersburg Arts Alliance’s dedication to fostering artistic talent and shaping the future of the arts. For more information on the grant recipients and St. Petersburg Arts Alliance. Charlene A Harrison, Director of Operations at SPAA, expressed excitement about the selection of this year’s cohort: "We are immensely proud to support these extraordinary artists through our Individual Artist Grant Program. The work they are doing not only enriches our cultural landscape but also challenges us to see the world through fresh, bold perspectives. This grant allows us to amplify their voices and visions, and we are excited to see what they create with this support."
The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance fosters artistic growth, champions creativity, and provides resources to artists of all backgrounds. As the leading advocate for arts-related economic development, education, and funding, SPAA aims to sustain a vibrant, diverse creative community and promote St. Petersburg as a thriving City of the Arts.
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