On Coffee Shop Walls

07/20/2026

The Speakeasy Central Kava Bar at the corner of Central Avenue and 21st Street is a quirky little place that seems to be a hangout for the neighborhood to unwind. It’s typically busy with folks chatting at the bar, dogs, and kids. The decor is as idiosyncratic as the customers. There’s even a funky vending machine where you can purchase a dog bandanna, a bag of classic games, or an inflatable alien.

03/05/2026

This post is a departure from our typical features, but it is a great exhibit and I felt that it deserves a place here…

The buildings on the NE corner of 4th St. S. and 4th Ave. S. are vacant and have been targeted for demolition. They will be replaced by a high-rise condo. The owner painted them pink and invited artists to decorate them with murals. I photographed them all, but selected these to share.

I don’t know how long before these vintage St. Pete buildings are razed. The artwork ranges from delicate and refined to street graffiti…

02/07/2026

Lucid Coffee and Kava is not near my neighborhood in DTSP. It’s a newer place in one of the strip centers on Roosevelt Blvd between Gandy Blvd.and MLK St. N. It’s in corner storefront so large windows flood the interior with sunlight, with nice patio right out the door. A wall near the back is dedicated to a few local artists, including Addison Zoellner, Liz Barker, Brooke Genais, and Emma Cramer. The only one of these I’m familiar with is Zoellner, who exhibited her pieces upstairs in Grassroots on Central Ave. Each of these brings a unique perspective and they are worth a look.

01/22/2026

The new art on display in Kahwa is very mysterious. The colors muted and themes obscure. The canvases are unsigned and there’s no information posted about the artists. The appear to have been created hurriedly. Drips of paint run down, sometimes to the bottom.

These may not be to everyone’s taste, but portray an odd and mysterious place.

12/08/2025

Pardon me for featuring Kahwa Coffee on 2nd Ave. S again, but the display changes frequently and the diverse images are often really impressive. I don’t know much about techniques, reproduction of images, etc, but these are beautiful and quite reasonably priced. The artist calls her technique “paint pouring”.

Google AI had this to say about it:

“Paint pouring, also known as fluid art, is a technique that involves pouring paint onto a canvas instead of painting a subject. It was accidentally discovered in the 1930s by muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros, who was captivated by the complexity and ease of the technique. Paint pouring has become more popular recently due to its affordability and social media sharing.”

11/09/2025

The new art on display at Kahwa on 2nd Ave S includes pieces that could double as commercial illustration and packaging art. It seems artists can now add “visual developer” to their resumes. I guess that means an artist trained with computer tools or one creates art intended for digital media. It was a new term for me. However you label this artist, he has a talent for design and color.

10/13/2025

The display at The Kahwa at 2nd Ave. S an 1st St. changes frequently. Sometimes they don’t appeal tome but are always original and interesting. Usually a sign gives the name of the artist and contact numbers. Also, the prices are posted near the picture. This little exhibit had neither. However, I thought this show was high quality, with very imaginative pieces.

08/18/2025

Take a look at this incredible mural on the wall in new St. Petersburg cafe/coffee shop…

Not every coffee shop markets work from local artists on their walls. Some commission local artists to decorate their walls. Southern Grounds cafe/coffeeshop opened their new store at 695 Central Avenue today. The chain engaged Matt Kress Art to work his magic. The dining area is on the small side, but features a variety of seating options, including a comfy sofa. This mural dominates the wall in the front. It’s worth a trip just admire it.