Pinellas Safe Harbor Project

The Pinellas Safe Harbor* mural project is believed to be among the first in the country that encouraged shelter residents to share life experiences through art as they got back on their feet. Transforming the shelter was a unique collaboration between Elizabeth Brincklow, City of St. Petersburg's Manager of Cultural Affairs and Rhonda Abbott, Veterans, Social Services and Homeless Services; the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and Safe Harbor residents. Shaping the project, Brincklow selected notable regional painter Pamela Miles as the Master Artist for the project based on Miles' experiences teaching art students of various ages and multiple abilities in Bay Area schools and galleries. Miles asked Diane Gallin of Wind and Water Feng Shui Consulting for advice on color and placement of the art.

Inside the shelter's front entrance, hand painted quotes from authors and famous figures selected by the residents provide reflection while hallway leaf designs completed the project. Four serene dorm murals offer a sense of place and motivate residents back to normalcy.

Excepts from "Community Corner" By William Mansell, Patch Staff | Mar 28, 2012 4:35 pm ET | Updated Mar 28, 2012 4:37 pm ET

"This project would not have been completed so professionally without Elizabeth and her knowledge of the arts community and the unique considerations of this complex project."

-Rhonda Abbott, former Veterans Social Services and Homeless Services Director, City of St. Petersburg

*Established in January 2011, Pinellas Safe Harbor serves as a general homeless shelter, a jail diversion program, and a Department of Corrections re-entry portal. The goal of these programs is to provide a safe environment so individuals may re-connect with appropriate social services and progress towards independence.