In The Midst Of Pandemic, New Port Richey Artists Find Help

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Up until two years ago, Lisa Langford had a career in nursing. While she found her profession rewarding, Langford longed to do something that would satisfy her creative spirit.

So, in 2019, she gave up nursing and became an artist, curator, designer and event planner as the owner of Lis's Pieces Boutique at 6214 N. Grand Blvd. in downtown New Port Richey.

When she launched her downtown shop, New Port Richey's urban core was in the process of evolving into a more vibrant downtown district.

“We knew we wanted to be a part of it, and so we took the leap," Langford said.

A year later, the coronavirus pandemic was declared and Langford and fellow New Port Richey business owners were forced to close while wondering if they'd ever be able to reopen.

At the time, Langford's shop was just getting off the ground, displaying and selling the works of about 20 artists and craftsmen.

A year later, Langford has been forced to knock down walls and rent space next door to accommodate the ever-growing demand for display space by local artists and cottage business owners.

An unintended consequence of the pandemic was the cancellation of the art festivals, craft shows and weekend markets that artists and craftsmen depended on to sell their works.

In the absence of the usual venues, they turned to Langford for help.

Lis's Pieces Boutique has become the home base for New Port Richey artists and craftsmen.

Even after tripling her store space to 3,400 square feet, the shop is overflowing with the eclectic works of more than 70 artists, craftsmen, painters, photographers and sculptors selling paintings, whimsical T-shirts, handmade candles and soap, hand-crafted jewelry, stained-glass windows and shabby chic furnishings.

Langford is not only single-handedly reviving the arts community in New Port Richey, but she's become downtown New Port Richey's biggest cheerleader, promoting the city's restaurants and breweries, performers and performing arts groups, nonprofit organizations and events through her shop and on her Facebook page, which has more than 5,000 followers.

To further spread the word about New Port Richey's downtown district and its many artists, Landford will host Lis's Pieces Boutique Art and Craft Walk Saturday, March 27 from noon to 8 p.m.

More than 60 artists, crafters and other vendors will be spaced for easy social distancing throughout the downtown business district.

Visitors are encouraged to visit downtown restaurants, breweries and shop and enjoy food and drinks during the art walk.

For more information, click here.