Speakeasy Soirée Reimagines the Studio Honors to Celebrate Community, Creativity, and the Future of New Work
The Studio@620 has announced the recipients of its 2025 Studio Honors awards, recognizing artists, leaders, and changemakers whose work embodies the organization’s longstanding commitment to access, inclusion, and the development of new and emerging professional voices.
The awards will be presented at The Studio@620 Honors: A Speakeasy Soirée, taking place Saturday, Feb. 7, 2025. Studio Honors is the organization’s annual fundraiser and signature celebration of the people who help ensure The Studio remains a creative home where bold ideas, new work, and artists can thrive.
This year’s honorees reflect the many ways creativity strengthens the cultural fabric of St. Petersburg — through leadership, mentorship, innovation, and fearless artistic vision.
2025 Studio Honors Award Recipients
The Founders’ Spirit Award
Recipient: Caryn Nesmith
The Founders’ Spirit Award recognizes an individual whose unwavering dedication keeps the doors — and the heart — of the community open to all. Nesmith is honored for her commitment to fostering belonging, generosity, and welcoming spaces where every voice and story matters.
The Torchbearer Award
Recipient: Saumitra Chandratreya
The Torchbearer Award celebrates an artist who carries creativity and community forward for others to follow. Chandratreya is recognized for artistic excellence paired with a deep commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and opening doors for emerging artists.
The Maverick Innovator Award
Recipient: Renee Edwards
The Maverick Innovator Award honors a trailblazer whose visionary, independent work challenges convention and inspires new possibilities. Edwards is recognized for pushing boundaries at the intersection of creativity and community impact.
The Ola Mae Jones Award
Recipients: Travis Ray and Ketsy Ruiz
Named in honor of Ola Mae Jones, this award celebrates emerging professional artists at pivotal moments in their creative journeys. Ray and Ruiz are recognized as artists to watch — embodying bold exploration, courageous collaboration, and the promise of work that will shape the community for years to come.
The Creative Catalyst Honor
Recipient: Stuart Hine
The Creative Catalyst Honor recognizes a young artist taking their first brave steps into the creative world. Hine is honored for curiosity, experimentation, and early work that signals the potential to spark new conversations and creative pathways.
“These honorees represent the values The Studio was built on — generosity, bravery, and the belief that artists thrive when given space to take risks,” said Erica Sutherlin, Artistic Executive Director of The Studio@620. “Studio Honors is both a celebration and a recommitment: to new work, artistic development, and to remaining a place where the answer is always yes.”
Board Chair Amber Brinkley emphasized the broader significance of the evening.
“The Studio has always been more than a venue — it’s a springboard,” Brinkley said. “By honoring these individuals, we are also investing in their future and ensuring that artists at every stage continue to find opportunity, mentorship, and belonging here.”
A Reimagined Night of Celebration
Studio Honors 2025 marks a deliberate departure from tradition. In years past, the event followed a seated, table-based gala format. This year, The Studio@620 is ditching the rules and reorganizing the night to center the party, the celebration, and the vibe.
Inspired by true prohibition-era speakeasies, guests will enter through the alley and move freely throughout the space, engaging with a curated bazaar featuring bid-on experiences and offerings. The redesigned format prioritizes energy, connection, and joy — creating a night that feels less like a formal fundraiser and more like a community celebration with purpose.
All funds raised during Studio Honors directly support The Studio@620’s mission and year-round programming, including new work development, performances, exhibitions, and initiatives that reduce barriers for new and emerging artists.
For more than two decades, The Studio@620 has served as a home for artists willing to take risks and imagine what’s possible. Studio Honors reflects that ongoing commitment — honoring those who lead with generosity while investing in the future of Tampa Bay’s creative community.
Tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and additional event details are available at thestudioat620.org.