S2 Ep2133: AIRPORT ART New Creative Pinellas Exhibit "JUICY": Glass Art & Citrus Illustrations
Lunchtime Conversation host talks with Monica Drake about JUICY: A Slice of Florida Life which opens on June 30 with a reception 3-5pm and program at 5 at Ticketing B at the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport; parking validation will be provided. RSVP to mrouth@fly2pie.com by 6/24. The exhibit is curated by Maggie Duffy.
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT Creative Pinellas, in partnership with Heritage Village, is presenting a nostalgic celebration of Florida culture with its newest exhibition, Juicy: A Slice of Florida Life, on view June 30-Sept. 30, 2026 at the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport Sightline Gallery [https://creativepinellas.org/sightline-gallery/].
In celebration of Heritage Village’s 50th anniversary in Pinellas County, Juicy explores Florida’s enduring relationship with the citrus industry through archival citrus crate labels that sealed Florida’s identity as an eternal tropical paradise. The labels are paired with featured artist Steve Hagan’s blown glass sculptures of citrus, which look as delicious as the Florida fruit that inspired them. The glass works are on loan from St. Petersburg’s Duncan McClellan Gallery. Creative Pinellas’ Maggie Duffy curated the exhibition.
While citrus fruit was originally brought to Florida in the 16th century by the Spanish, it wasn’t until 1870 that the citrus industry in the state had its first boom, according to the Florida Division of Historical Resources’ website. “Orange Fever” brought people to Florida to try their hand as citrus growers. As more growers entered the market, so grew the competition, creating the need for advertising. Crate labels became key pieces of marketing for growers and packers, according to the Ephemera Society of America’s website. They gained popularity in Florida in the early 1900s, with a peak in popularity from the 1920s-50s.
Over the years the industry had its ups and downs, freezes, pests, hurricanes and eventually citrus greening threatened the citrus industry. But some endure in Florida, including the Lykes Bros. Art consultant Liz Dimmitt is part of the Lykes Bros. family. She grew up checking on the groves and eating orange ice cream at grove stores. The CEO and co-founder of FloridaRAMA says Lykes Bros. continues to not only grow the citrus that becomes Florida’s Natural not-from-concentrate juice, but also develops innovative ways to improve growing conditions.
Hagan is a glass artist, foodie, and proponent of pure beauty. His works combine a love of function with modern form and design, often creating citrus-inspired jewelry, tableware, and sculpture. In 2018, Hagan received an emerging artist residency at the Duncan McClellan Gallery where he developed his fruit series even further. His experience working in restaurants as a chef gave him inspiration as a glass artist. In his 2011 thesis show at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree, he created a bar of meringue that looked like the interior of a sliced, bisected lemon — and now fruit remains a major inspiration. All of Hagan’s pieces in the exhibition are for sale. Link to shop the gallery coming soon!
Sightline is a dynamic art gallery located within St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE), designed to connect travelers with the vibrant arts community of Pinellas County. Created in 2025 through a partnership with PIE, the gallery transforms a high-traffic public space into a cultural destination — offering rotating exhibitions that showcase the talent and creativity of Florida-based artists to tourists and travelers alike.
#pinellascounty #monicadrake #heritagevillage #PIE #creativepinellas #maggie duffy
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