Art @ the library

Outdoor installations

Heart of Pinellas

This eighteen-foot brushed aluminum sculpture was developed specifically for the City of Pinellas Park by the artist to represent Pinellas Park as the literal and figurative  heart of the Pinellas Peninsula. The artwork is on display by the artist at the City's Barbara S. Ponce Library in a collaboration that represents the entry of both the City and the artist into the field of monumental public art. It originally started as a loan, and the City purchased it in 2018 and gave it a permanent home at the library.

Clayton Swartz is well known for his vibrant colors and inspirational themes. His sculptures are created by plasma cutting, bending, hammering, and TIG welding, finishing with a grinder and airbrush painting with translucent enamels.

Additional information about the artist is available at the artist's website.

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Passe

Beginning in June 2021, the red figure “Passe” will be on exhibit with the City of Pinellas Park for the next 2 years. Originally part of a trio of sculptures, “Dancers of the Wind”, it has previously been featured in the East River Park Promenade in Manhattan as well as locally in Clearwater, Florida. The 12-foot abstract figure is made of strong aluminum, but appears soft and fluid. The figure represents the natural beauty and grace of the human body, as expressed through ballet. The artists’ mission is to capture a sense of the human spirit and to demonstrate a naturalness and liveliness of all of their work.

Colombian-American Artists Gus and Lina Ocamposilva are husband and wife team of self-taught metal sculptors residing in Pinellas County who have been awarded over thirty public art exhibitions throughout various North American cities, including Chicago, New York, Miami, and Atlanta. They are members of Creative Pinellas and have won many awards and honors over the course of their partnership. The pair is recognized by their extremely unique style of bending and transforming hard aluminum into life-like and abstract images, giving the illusion of softness. Their art includes very unique styles of balance, the use of empty spaces, and bright coloring that brings a vibrant and life-like feel to their art.

To learn more about the artists and/or to see more of their works, visit their web site.


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Dream Sparrow

The Dream Sparrow was a temporary lease from local artist Donald Gialanella. It was on site from December 2019 - October 2020 when we noticed it had some rust issues and returned it for restoration. Unfortunately, the damage was too far gone and we had to remove the sculpture. We loved our sparrow, but now we are looking for replacements!

Inspired Life

Another installation by local artist Clayton Swartz, this semi-abstract "uplifting" stylized figure is constructed of arched aluminum strips. The figure holds a heart above the left shoulder and head. 

It was purchased and donated to the city by Mr. Housh Ghovaee in 2009, and given it's permanent home at the library in 2017.

Clayton Swartz is well known for his vibrant colors and inspirational themes. His sculptures are created by plasma cutting, bending, hammering, and TIG welding, finishing with a grinder and airbrush painting with translucent enamels.

Additional information about the artist is available at the artist's website.

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Indoor Art

Rotating exhibits

The Pinellas Art Society displays works from its members. A variety of photography, painting, drawings, and mixed media pieces have been featured since June 2019. Displays change every 2-3 months.

Treasure Island Art Guild, artists from the Pinellas Park Arts District, and other local artists have also been featured. 

We feature these exhibits on our Facebook album page.

The library welcomes inquiries for the exhibit of artwork from local artists. Contact us at Library@pinellas-park.com for inquiries about displays.

Loxahatchee River #10 by Clyde Butcher, donated by a local patron


Photographic Story (by the artist)

Jonathan Dickinson State Park – The Loxahatchee River is the only designated wild and scenic river in Florida. When I first experienced the river, I was awed by its primeval feeling. I was certain I would see Tequesta Indians peeking out from behind the trees…. It is truly a beautiful place, one of the many treasures of Florida.

Analog – Archival Silver Gelatin Photograph

Clyde’s silver gelatin black and white images are created using an 8” x 10”, 11” x 14”, or 12” x 20” view camera. Clyde prints his images in his own darkroom on fiber-base paper in a limited edition. The photographs are selenium toned, then mounted and matted to current archival standards. His images come in sizes from 8” x 10” inches to 5’x 8’ feet. His love of art and nature is seen in the exceptional detail and more subtle textures of his photography. Each photograph is individually hand printed in the darkroom and will vary based on factors such as artist preference, chemistry and temperature. The image displayed on the website is a digital scan of the original negative and should be considered a representation of the printed version of the art.


Loxahatchee-River-10 by Clyde Butcher