Now and Then You Spot a Great Photo Looking at St. Pete: 75 years ago & today

St. Petersburg, Florida
April 12, 2024

The historic Craftsman House Gallery (2955 Central Avenue) will celebrate the St. Petersburg Month of Photography, with a special exhibit:

Now and Then You Spot a Great Photo
Looking at St. Pete: 75 years ago & today

Robert Preston was a photographer and managing editor for St. Petersburg’s first daily newspaper, The Evening Independent, and it’s sister paper the St. Petersburg Times where he climbed the ranks to become their photo editor. Photographer Patricia Preston Mastry inherited her dad’s love of photography. Preston would have turned 100 years old this year, which prompted Patricia to sort through her father’s photo archives from the 1950’s, then go to great lengths to recapture those same shots from today’s perspective.

The photos on display (and available for purchase) show the similarities, yet stark contrast, of Robert Preston’s photographs of 1950s St. Petersburg, compared to his daughter’s photographs of today’s bustling city

Opening reception: Thursday, May 9th, 6pm-8pm
Meet-the-Artist: Saturday, May 11th, 5pm-8pm (during St. Petersburg’s 2nd Saturday ArtWalk)

Patricia will be on hand to discuss her photographs both evenings, along with her husband Rick Mastry (a 3rd generation St. Petian), who will be providing live music.

Exhibit runs through: Saturday, June 8th.

A portion of all sales will be donated to Preserve The ‘Burg. For more than 40 years Preserve the ‘Burg has worked to protect our city’s history and keep St. Pete special.