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Putting her art, soul into it

By PAUL SWIDER
Published July 23, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - After years of military service and travel that opened her eyes to the world of art, Jacqueline Shelby decided to bring her new passion home and build a business in Midtown.

"Our goal is to develop this into an arts enclave," Shelby, 41, said of her new store, Black Art Plus, at 1558 16th St. S. "I want Midtown to become the hub for beautiful, interesting art, African-American art especially."

The store, which Shelby calls BAP 101 for short, recalling nomenclature for an academic class, features framed paintings and art prints with an inspirational theme. Shelby said she also carries figurines from Africa, including items from the Xhosa and Zulu tribes.

"People here want some quality art that reflects their lifestyle," she said of images of religion or family that she sells. "It mirrors their lives but it also fits in with their homes' decor."

Shelby is a St. Petersburg native who went to Northeast and St. Petersburg high schools, as well as what was then St. Petersburg Junior College, before embarking on a 15-year U.S. Air Force career as an information manager. Before retiring, she was stationed around the United States, but also in Italy and South Korea. She said being immersed in other cultures instilled in her an appreciation for art, but lacking contact with African-American art made her want to bring that to her home.

Shelby said she had never had much interest in art before joining the military, but she had always been interested in color and design. She said that even as a child her mother would let her help decide how to redecorate the family home.

"I love color, beautiful colors," Shelby said. She said she works with customers to choose a piece of art that will complement their home's interior.

BAP 101 opened in April, Shelby said, but she didn't hold a grand opening until July while she worked on the details of her business and queried her customers about what they liked. She said she has enjoyed having her store become a nice, quiet place where members of the community sometimes gather to talk over issues of the day.

"I'm loving that," she said of chats with some of the elderly in the area.

The store has hosted tours from some youth groups, and Shelby said she is hoping to do more such outreach. She is also working with other businesses in the 16th Street corridor to enhance opportunities there.

"We're trying to build some economic growth here in Midtown," she said, "and be an example to youth and to other business owners that we can make it here."

Shelby said she emphasizes African-American art to cater to her immediate market, but she wants to encourage people from all over the city to come to 16th Street. She said she got some marketing help in that regard from the city's Business Assistance Center.

"Marketing is an important thing for these businesses because otherwise a lot of people don't know they're there," said Shrimatee Ojah-Maharaj, who runs the center at 33 Sixth St. S.

Shelby got help especially on her grand opening festivities, as well as some television coverage the business center garnered for the store. She said she worked with a diverse range of people in her military career, so she's hoping attention for her store will encourage a wider audience for her and an art gallery, Uniquely Original, across the street.

"I truly love the flavor of the community and want to share it," Shelby said. "The more people that know, the more will show."

Paul Swider can be reached at 892-2271 or pswider@sptimes.com or by participating in itsyourtimes.com.

[Last modified July 22, 2006, 20:32:25]