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mural of Ella Fitzgerald by Zulu Artist in The Deuces in south St Pete

The Deuces and South Saint Pete

Posted on September 23, 2020September 23, 2020 by Mark And Chuck's Adventures

We’ve been doing our best to maintain physical distancing, going places that require masks and spending more time outside.

Fortunately, in general, Saint Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area have many great places to explore. In the past, we’ve shared some of the incredible murals in our hometown, this blog heads to south St Pete and The Deuces.

 

The Deuces

Just outside of downtown St Petersburg you’ll find The Deuces – 22nd Street South. During the 1960s this was the busy Main Street of the black community.

With more than 100 businesses along the stretch of road, nearly 75 percent were black-owned. Today it’s making a resurgence and is marked by incredible murals and historic trail markets.

We spent a few days exploring the area and understanding the local history and cultural significance better.

 

colorful mural of Deuces live on South 22nd Street in St Petersburg Florida
Deuces Live mural

 

Music and Murals

An icon of the south side of St Pete was the historic Manhattan Casino. The casino was the black community’s music and dancehall during segregation. Constructed in 1925 and opened as the Jordan Dance Hall, it allowed local black musicians to showcase the work that was not afforded them across town at the Saint Petersburg Coliseum.

Music legends such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Nat King Cole were just a few of the great who frequented this venue.

The Deuces has amazing murals that honor this history. We love this mural by Herbert Davis of Louis Armstrong on the wall of Chief’s Creole Café.

 

mural of Louis Armstrong playing a trumpet on Chief's Creole Cafe
Louis Armstrong playing the trumpet

 

One of the best-known artists is Carlos “Zulu” Culbertson, whose murals are all over St Petersburg include Ella and Aretha.

 

mural of Ella Fitzgerald by Zulu Artist
Ella
mural of Aretha by artist Zulu
Aretha

 

History and Inspiration

All along 22nd street, there are murals that honor history and inspire the community.

Another Zulu mural wraps the corner of this church’s building. The artwork is reflecting black life in the past and inspiration for the future.

 

black history mural wrapping church building in The Deuces
Black history mural
painting of a young black boy as part of a mural by artist Zulu
Young black boy
older black men are part of a Saint Petersburg meal by artist Zulu
Three black men
two black woman are part of a mural of black history in south St Petersburg Florida along the deuces
Woman and child
inspirational words are part of a mural by artist Zulu along the deuces in south st Pete
Inspirational words

 

Black Live Matter

Earlier this year, on Juneteenth, local artists created a fantastic Black Lives Matter mural on the street in front of the Dr. Carter G Woodson African American Museum.

Artists working on the Black Lives Matter mural
{Image is not our own, was shared by various local friends and artists}
Overhead view of Black Lives Mural in St Petersburg Florida
{Image is not our own, was shared by various local friends and artists}

 

Sixteen artists each used one letter as their canvass, be sure to check out their Instagram pages.

B – Jujmo @jujmo

L – John Gascot @jgascot

A – Cam Parker @painkillercamisyourdaddy

C – Catherine Weaver @uniquelyoriginalarts

K – Nuclear Sky @nuclearskyart

 

L – Jason Harvin @waywardwalls

I – Laura Spencer @lauraspencerillustrates

V – James Hartzell @artbyjamese

E – Eric Hornsby @artist_esh

S – Jade Jackson @avacatoto

 

M – James Kitchens @freestyletattooz

A – David Cabassa @megasupremo

T – JaVon Walters @von.walters

T – Plum Howlett @pvo_tattooshop

E – Melanie Posner @therealmelpoz

R – Daniel Barojas @r5imaging

 

Layout/Prep: @vitalebros

 

Mark has been friends with artists John Gascot since their (much younger) days back in suburban Philadelphia and is so thrilled to see his success. We LOVE the work of our local St Petersburg artists and what their work adds to our community.

 

6th Avenue South

Further down into the southside of St Petersburg is an area along the old railroad tracks, now occupied by the Pinellas Trail.

The blocks along 6th Avenue South around 27th and 28th street is filled with sign shops, Cross Fit Studios, Galleries, and warehouses, and the walls of the buildings are filled with incredible art.

 

modern mural of a dog and woman in Saint Petersburg Florida
@Marcus_GOMAD_debie
artwork created with wooden pallets
Artwork from wooden pallets

mural of a tree in south St Petersburg Florida

you are beautiful mural in south Saint Petersburg Florida
@heyitsmatthew

 

Next time you are near St Pete, be sure to venture a little of the beaten path and check out the southside’s art and history.

 

 

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13 thoughts on “The Deuces and South Saint Pete”

  1. Kristy says:
    September 23, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    Beautiful and powerful Black Lives Matter Mural. I knew about some of the Saint Petersburg museums, but I haven’t seen the murals before. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    1. Mark And Chuck's Adventures says:
      September 24, 2020 at 3:20 pm

      The murals here are pretty amazing and seem to be growing in number daily!

      Reply
  2. Agnes says:
    September 24, 2020 at 10:35 am

    I would love to see these murals because I love jazz. Louis Armstrong playing the trumpet looks fantastic. I also love Ella and Aretha, so I want to take a photo of these murals. Also, inspirational words look fabulous. The street art is so unique! I add these places to my bucket list. It’s a great post and photos!

    Reply
    1. Mark And Chuck's Adventures says:
      September 24, 2020 at 3:25 pm

      It’s growing by the day. Next time you are in the area you should come to check it out.

      Reply
  3. Kelly says:
    September 24, 2020 at 3:37 pm

    What an amazing looking spot! The murals are all beautiful and I love the tribute to black history 🙂 So great that you could find this in your own area to share with us!

    Reply
  4. Just One Passport says:
    September 24, 2020 at 3:54 pm

    I love how St. Pete’s is honouring its black history. It’s been years since I have visited there, but I didn’t know anything about the history. Very interest and the murals are fabulous.

    Reply
  5. Anuradha says:
    September 24, 2020 at 6:39 pm

    I love art in any form, and can stare at them for comfortably longer duration. The murals and its history are really inspiring to look through.

    Reply
  6. Jayati | Between Longitudes says:
    September 25, 2020 at 11:44 am

    Glad that I am reading this! I love music and murals and St Pete just seems to have the most amazing collection! Love Louis Armstrong’s mural!! Great post – I am bookmarking it.

    Reply
  7. joefuf1 says:
    September 25, 2020 at 12:38 pm

    Wonderful artwork all throughout the town. I bet the food down over there is amazing as well!

    Reply
  8. Kat says:
    September 26, 2020 at 1:13 pm

    Beautiful murals! I’ve enjoyed all of the new street art in Vancouver lately as well. It’s so nice to see colourful murals brightening up our cities!

    Reply
  9. Puja says:
    September 26, 2020 at 1:19 pm

    Such beautiful murals. I love that the history is being highlighted through these fantastic artwork.

    Reply
  10. Planet Hopper Girl says:
    September 27, 2020 at 6:16 am

    Interesting account of St. Pete’s. Love the art work here. I wish to go one day.

    Reply
  11. Florin says:
    September 27, 2020 at 9:38 am

    wow those murals seem to be out of this world. Fascinating place, I hope I will get to see them live one day. Thanks for the amazing article! 🙂

    Reply

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