Photo courtesy of Localtopia
By Ashley Pena
All year round, the City of St. Petersburg marks its calendars with any kind of market imaginable. Celebrations of fine arts, natural sciences, and even punk rock can be found sprawled across the city.
Localtopia, St. Petersburg’s market highlighting all things local, seems to combine all possible interests of St. Petersburg residents while supporting the community.
The festival makes its 13th annual return on Feb.14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Williams Park, showcasing over 300 organizations.
Among them will be the University of South Florida St. Petersburg seniors from the graphic design program.
Their return this year was spearheaded by Montana Smith, a graphic design senior.
Smith attended the USF St. Petersburg graphic arts table at Localtopia in 2023.
“I knew that I wanted to do it my senior year,” she told The Crow’s Nest.
Gathering a team of 16 students, Smith put down the money for a booth and presented the idea of a table to her classmates.
“I figured out who was interested and set some deadlines for their ideas, designs and products,” she said.
Although her entire class couldn’t get involved, she was happy to see even those with limited time still “helping with posters, branding, or production.”
“[The table is] a way for the graphic arts students to get their work out there,” she said.
Additionally, with the upcoming USF St. Petersburg graphic arts senior showcase on April 10 at 5 p.m., students are eager to share their work and raise money for their projects.
“We’re using this as an opportunity to promote our senior showcase,” Smith said.
Outside of the table’s feature of student artwork, Smith plans to create handouts highlighting the USF St. Petersburg graphic arts program.
