City Leaders Welcome Charlie Parker Pottery in Grand Central District

ST. PETERSBURG - Mayor Bill Foster and other city leaders welcomed Charlie Parker Pottery -- a gallery and teaching studio -- to the Grand Central District in a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday.

"Thanks for committing to the arts and to the city," said Foster at an opening ceremony that featured speeches by city leaders as well as Parker, a well-known artist in St. Petersburg. Area artists and art advocates attended, as did other Grand Central business owners.

Charlie Parker Pottery opens at 2924 Central Ave., an area where many startups are locating, with the city's encouragement. Business and city leaders see the Grand Central District as an extension of downtown. They hope the public does too.

"People know where the beaches are and the downtown but they do not always think about" the Grand Central District, explained Aviva Bowman, executive director of the Grand Central District Association, which has 125 member-businesses. "We're a historic Main Street, and we're trying to show people that we're a destination, a central place to go."

Parker Pottery is among a number of arts-related shops to open in the Grand Central District. It is diagonally across the street from the well-established Craftsman House Gallery, representing 300 artists from around the country.

Nancy Parker, Charlie's wife, said that the proximity to Craftsman House Gallery influenced their decision to move to the Grand Central District. "They are the ones who brought us over here first and showed us the building, when it became available," noted Nancy about Craftsman owners Stephanie and Jeff Schorr.

Although Charlie Parker was a co-founder of St. Petersburg Clay Company, the new shop marks the first time he has his very own gallery.

Mayor Foster noted that Parker said the small business may represent a final chapter in his career, but Foster said he believes it is a new chapter. Charlie Parker agreed.

The new shop will focus on classes and studio time for people of all ages and skill levels. There will be weekly group classes as well as individual lessons. The classes are listed on Parker Pottery's new website. The new space has 1,800 square feet of space, ample area for the gallery and classes.

Charlie Parker seemed humbled by the attention at the grand opening. Saying he lost his notes, Parker noted the challenges ahead, including the difficult economy. But he expressed hopes for the teaching space and gratitude for having his own studio after many years as a potter. He also noted a sign he found painted in the shop as it was rehabbed before opening: "May all who enter as guests leave as friends."