ARTPool Gallery offers unique fashion to the St. Pete area despite the changes due to the pandemic.
Courtesy of @artpoolgallery on Instagram
By Lily Cannon
Despite a recent incident involving an unknown suspect breaking a display window, ARTPool Gallery remains a consistent beacon of antique, odd-ball fashion for downtown St. Petersburg.
The boutique began in 2008 as the brainchild of an artistic University of East London graduate, Marina Williams, and quickly became a staple of the city’s art and fashion scene.
Now the shop has expanded to include jewelry, comics and records, all of which carry a distinct vintage feel.
The mannequin displays change seasonally, from glittery fur-lined minidresses to clown jumpsuits and masks. ARTPool Gallery is for “anyone and everyone who wants to have fun,” Williams said in a recent interview.
The shop itself is connected to the art in St. Pete’s fashion world, since Williams holds monthly art party gatherings and showcases local creators in her shop. That way, ARTPool Gallery is right at home alongside the murals and galleries of Central Avenue.
Although the recent incident and the pandemic put a wrench in her plans, Williams’ vision remains consistent even though the area around ARTPool Gallery continues to change.
Williams, her husband and mother, who run the shop alongside her, continue to adapt to the pandemic. Buyers can visit their Instagram and order a variety of vintage pieces, including silver fairy necklaces and butterfly sunglasses.
If any students want to get involved, the shop also offers internship programs for “individuals interested in fashion, display arts and event planning.”
On top of the unique fashion finds, ARTPool Gallery is a gem for its highlight on sustainability and upcycling fashion. Many of the clothes arrive second hand or from independent designers, giving them a unique spin.
In regard to the future of fashion, Williams hopes that thrift stores encourage a new generation of sustainability. Especially for the struggling college student, “second hand helps both Mother Earth and your billfold.”
The creator of ARTPool Gallery is enthusiastic to see younger demographics explore ways of protecting the Earth while still finding their style. As trends from the 60s to the 2000s come back for 2022, it would be remiss to not get something special from this boutique.
Lily Cannon is a freshman English major at USF St. Petersburg.
