Pinellas Park takes an 'unprecedented' step toward supporting local artists

Derek Donnelly is a creative muralist, artist and new father. His decades-long portfolio of creating unique works of art recently led to an unprecedented move by the City of Pinellas Park to support the arts. Over a decade ago, the city purchased several blighted properties in the Creative District of Pinellas Park. The goal was to remove the riff-raff, lower crime, and improve the area. Donnelly leased the building in the Creative District and has been a big part of transforming the area. "Let's face it, artists, it's a tough living to make," City Manager Bart Diebold told ABC Action News reporter Michael Paluska. "But art is one of those things where as a government, you have to invest."