Made in the Shade: A Little Sunshine at 30,000 Feet
By Avery Anderson
Sightline Gallery, St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport
Before you even get to the beach, the palm fronds might get to you first.
“Made in the Shade,” the latest installation at Sightline, is what happens when public art gets a boarding pass—and a vacation state of mind. Tucked into the newly imagined gallery space at the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE), the exhibition invites travelers to pause, breathe, and remember where they are. Or maybe, where they’re going.
Brought to life through a partnership between Creative Pinellas and PIE, Sightline is more than just a gallery in a terminal. It’s a window into place, memory, and the everyday joy of a moment in the sun.
A Seat, a Shade, a Story
“This was one of those rare projects where everything clicked,” said Creative Pinellas CEO Margaret Murray. After walking the terminal with PIE communications director Michele Routh, the two began imagining what it would look like to bring more art into the airport’s public spaces. The result was a three-part exhibition—paintings, sculptures, and ceramics—that nods to the beauty and nostalgia of Pinellas County.
The name Sightline itself is layered. “Looking toward the horizon, as a pilot might do… taking in the sights, as a visitor would,” Murray reflected. “Sight is such a vital part of many art experiences, and line… relates to the creation of not only a painted or drawn artwork, but a sculpture, musical composition, or even a dance performance.”
In the central waiting area, you’ll find the full expression of that concept: a curated collection designed to evoke joy, nostalgia, and calm all at once. With palm branches from painter Elizabeth Barenis and woven wall sculptures by Matthew Drennan Wicks, the work invites you to sit back and soak it in. Literally.
“A webbed aluminum beach chair instantly recalls a moment in time,” Murray added, “and somehow, year after year, it remains just as relevant.”
Curbside Color and Ceramic Blooms
Because public art doesn’t always have time to explain itself, the Sightline team designed for the realities of airport life: high traffic, low ceilings, and travelers often in motion.
“You create an immediate impression—one you can’t miss and one you don’t have to think about,” said guest curator Katherine Gibson. That’s exactly what she delivered with the second installation near the public entrance: Ceramic Garden by Babette Herschberger. The playful, flower-like arrangement of ceramic cups, framed by more of Wicks’ woven works, is both eye-catching and accessible—meant to be felt, not just seen.
With help from Duncan McClellan Gallery and some behind-the-scenes upgrades like rich wall color and soft track lighting, the once-bland waiting areas are now full of personality—and purpose.
“We wanted it to feel like a palm grove,” said Gibson, “a beautiful yet practical place to relax between destinations.”
Art That Grounds You
So what do you hope sticks with someone walking through?
For Murray, it’s a sense of place: “I want people to know, ‘I’m in the right place,’ whether they’re returning home, arriving for vacation, or even scouting our area as a place to live.”
For Gibson, it’s the mix of surprise and comfort. “Joy, excitement, nostalgia, curiosity. The pieces are recognizable—which makes them instantly familiar and personal.”
That’s the magic of Made in the Shade. It’s not just a gallery—it’s a feeling. And whether you’re coming, going, or somewhere in between, it’s always sunny in this corner of PIE.