Create
Despite Arts Alliance staff losses, mural fest will continue
St. Petersburg Arts Alliance administrators are moving forward with plans for the 11th annual SHINE Mural Festival in October, despite the unexpected departure of two key figures.
Longtime SHINE director Jenee Priebe resigned in January, and Terry Marks, CEO of the nonprofit arts support organization, announced last week that she will step down effective May 9.
Board chair Ryan Griffin said their exits will not slow the organization down. “I think it is just the next chapter,” Griffin said. “And just like our arts community, SPAA is always evolving … and in every evolution, SPAA strives to get better. And to continue to promote the arts, and St. Pete.
“Terry and Jenee have meant so much to our organization; both will be greatly missed. While they can’t be replaced, we’re excited about the next chapter.”
Priebe
SHINE is the most visible of the Arts Alliance’s projects. Since 2012, the 501(c)3 has raised millions – through individual and corporate gifts, event sponsorships and grants – for the city’s arts community. It is also an advocacy organization with a voice that broadcasts far and wide.
The fall mural festival, in which local, regional, national and international muralists converge to paint site-specific outdoors walls, has an international reputation.
The Oct. 11-23, 2025 edition will be slightly curtailed – local artists only.
“Like a lot of nonprofits, 2024 was a difficult year for us, financially,” Griffin explained. “Many of those challenges, in addition to funding cuts at the state and federal levels, were a result of the hurricanes. As a result, we looked at our programming for the upcoming year and helping our local artists that were feeling the same pressures. In turn, we made changes to our upcoming programming.”
At that moment, Priebe left to start her own art consulting business.
Marks
Said CEO Marks, in a prepared statement announcing the “new” SHINE: “Our St. Petersburg community has been incredibly supportive, open minded and inviting for so many years that we are grateful to focus on our ‘love letter to St. Pete’ in year eleven.”
Marks, who has led the organization since 2021, did not immediately return messages left by the St. Pete Catalyst. “It has been an honor to work with the board, our staff and volunteers to make a meaningful impact through SPAA,” she said in her resignation announcement.
The board intends to announce plans to identify new executive leadership in the coming weeks.
It has not been decided whether a new SHINE director will be hired. For now, Griffin said, staffers and board members are taking the festival reins and recruiting bay area muralists, sponsors and walls.
“That’s not to say that we don’t revert back to an international focus next year – but given what’s been going on, that’s our strategic plan for SHINE this year.”
As for the Arts Alliance’s HR losses, Griffin was effusive in his praise for both Priebe and Marks.
“Jenee has been instrumental to the SHINE Mural Festival over its 10 years, as well as the overall arts community here in St. Petersburg,” he said. “SPAA is thankful for her efforts and dedication to making SHINE Mural Festival a world-class event. We wish Jenee the best in her future endeavors.
“SHINE Mural Festival looks to build on its past success, much in part to Jenee’s efforts, this year and for many years to come.”
The organization, he added, “is deeply appreciative for the incredible work Terry provided over the past four years as CEO of SPAA. Her leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to the arts have left a lasting impact on this organization and the community it serves.
“Under her guidance, SPAA has grown and flourished in many ways. We wish her continued success in whatever the future may bring.”
