Arts Alive! podcast: Kerry Kriseman, Creative Clay

St. Petersburg native Kerry Kriseman (née Nicolosi) has been in the public eye – in a manner of speaking – for more than two decades. Husband Rick Kriseman was elected to the St. Pete City Council in 2000, then spent six years as a member of the Florida House of Representatives.

Next, of course, came two terms as St. Petersburg’s mayor, during a time of unprecedented growth and change.

Kerry Kriseman has been anything but the demure, rarely-heard-from political wife. The former journalist has been public relations director for Creative Clay, the city’s art incubator for adults with developmental disabilities, since 2008.

Two years ago, she published a book, Accidental First Lady: On the Front Lines (and Behind the Scenes) of Local Politics, because (as she explains on today’s Arts Alive! podcast) she figured people out to know about the highs, lows and in-betweens of campaigning, and the effect it has on families.

Kriseman joins other St. Petersburg Press authors today at the Palladium Theater’s Side Door Café for SunLit After Dark, a literary event featuring discussions, a book market and the presentation of the 2023 Roy Peter Clark Literary Award. The 6 p.m. event is free.

Click the arrow below to listen to the interview.