Frank Strunk III Studio Moves To Warehouse Arts District

ST. PETERSBURG, FL —Frank Strunk III Studio is one of the new additions to St. Petersburg's Warehouse Arts District, and its specialty is metal sculpting.

After 11 years in Gulfport, Frank Strunk III, 57, said he wanted to change the vibe by being surrounded by other artists because he was the only artist in the Gulfport building. His new studio is next to other art studios in the District.

"They're kind of this cross-section between millennials and hippies and artists, so it's an interesting cross-section," Strunk told Patch as he stood outside his studio and pointed out his neighbor artists. "These are the hardest working hippies ever," he said with a laugh. "I tell them, 'You're not a real hippy because you're 20.' When I grew up, hippies really didn't work that hard, they weren't very industrious, but these cats work really hard."

When Strunk gets into his creative powers, he works hard, too, on sculpting unique metal pieces that range from kinetics to wall art and commissioned works. "When you're working on these pieces, you're just gone," he said. "You're persona is barely there, and you're just watching your hands make this. It's like the muse is there."

Strunk is a self-taught artist originally from Maryland who grew up in his dad's printing press factory. Watching the mechanics of the printing press machines and seeing the printed pages was a constant exposure to art for him. Throughout his life, he has dabbled in different styles of art, but he seems to mostly be drawn to sculpting metal pieces.

"I don't have any special talents," Strunk humbly said. "Anyone can teach themselves how to do all this. It's like being a kid. You're excited to learn."

The grand opening of Strunk's studio, 2638 Sixth Avenue South, St. Petersburg, was Saturday. Free iced coffee, tea and matcha lemonade was served by The Chelsea St. Pete. For more information about Frank Strunk and his art, visit his website.