Let's Talk with Cheryl Hollon

There’s a new mural in downtown St. Petersburg. Actually, there are several, and like any good mystery, they seem to have appeared overnight. Each new image adds another layer to the city’s personality, turning quiet brick facades into a vivid narrative.

Murals in downtown St. Petersburg, FL, began to proliferate in the early 2010s, transforming the area into an arts destination with over 600 works. But locals might tell you the real story began when a few daring artists treated blank walls like unsolved cases, waiting for interpretation. The scene accelerated when city officials loosened regulations and artists began decorating the historic 600 block of Central Avenue, and suddenly, clues were everywhere.

Key Early Developments:

• The 600 Block: In the early 2010s, artists gathered along the 600 block of Central Avenue, thanks in part to former City Council member Leslie Curran, who offered affordable studio spaces. Think of it as the headquarters where the first “plot twists” were drafted in paint.
• Key Artists: Local artists Derek Donnelly and Sebastian Coolidge were among the first to leave their mark. Their bold strokes sparked curiosity and inspired others and invited questions.
• SHINE Mural Festival: Beginning around 2015, the SHINE Mural Festival brought in international artists, adding more than 170 murals. Each year, new pieces arrive like fresh chapters in a well-loved whodunit.
• Expansion: From the 600 block, the artwork spread into alleyways and across downtown, particularly in the Central Arts District. Even the most unassuming corners began to look like they might be hiding something… or someone.

Today, the murals are a defining part of St. Pete’s culture, celebrated through guided walking tours and annual festival additions. Strolling past them feels a bit like paging through a visual mystery with every image a clue, every color a mood, every artist a storyteller with something to reveal.

My personal favorite is on the back wall of CASA, the official provider of domestic violence support & services in Pinellas County, serving individuals of all genders, ages, abilities, and more. I support them with my downsizing donations.

It’s no wonder the Hallmark Cozy Mystery Series has taken notice and chosen our streets as a backdrop for their cozy romances. After all, what better setting for a sleuth than a place where every wall has a story?

In DOWN IN FLAMES, the sixth book in the Webb’s Glass Shop Mysteries, mural artists play their own intriguing roles, because in a town like this, inspiration and intrigue tend to share the same palette.

What’s special about your town? Does it have a hidden story—or a few colorful clues—that might catch Hallmark’s eye? Share your experiences in the Booklover’s Bench comments.

Want to learn more about our author Cheryl Hollon? Visit her WEBSITE.

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Don’t forget to enter our Booklover’s Bench contest. We’re collecting entries for TWO free books to one lucky winner. It runs from May 1-22. Here’s the link:  https://bookloversbench.com/contests/

The Webb’s Glass Shop Mysteries are set in the city of St. Petersburg, FL. The characters spend considerable time creating magnificent glass art and also sampling the culinary delights of the downtown waterfront’s foodie landscape. Please buy books locally if you can. Independent bookstores need your patronage. If your budget is tight, support your local library – that counts, too!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074CF91QF