ARTS & CULTURE
Hearts in the Arts
36 StPeteLifeMag.com January/February 2020
Can you think of a better tradition than one that
involves love? I can’t. And so, for the third year,
in celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’m thrilled to
be continuing the “Hearts in the Arts” series. In
print and podcast, “Hearts in the Arts” tells the
love stories of our favorite St. Pete couples in the
creative community.
Carrie Jadus and Mark Aeling are responsible,
individually, for some of the most recognizable
public art in the Tampa Bay area. Aeling created
the sculpture gracing our newly opened St.
Petersburg Police Department Headquarters and
the bronze dolphins in the Sundial plaza, to name
just two. Jadus has created many of the images
for the city and Preserve the ‘Burg, well-known
murals around downtown and artwork for the
Tampa Bay Rays. Together, they preside over one
of the most successful and enduring arts studio
complexes in St. Pete – Soft Water Studios in the
Warehouse Arts District.
First Impressions
owner of Carrie Jadus Fine Art & Portraiture at
Soft Water. “It was a brief, incidental meeting and
I remember thinking he seemed almost aloof.
There was really no more to it, and we were both in
relationships at the time.”
In true “he said, she said” fashion, Mark Aeling,
master sculptor and owner of MGA Sculpture
and answers the “aloof” charge. “ I remember
thinking how beautiful her work was,” he says.
“I was impressed by how accomplished and
independent she seemed. I believe I was almost
intimidated. So, when she spoke to me, I may have
avoided eye contact and didn’t say much.” They
both smile. “ I had no idea,” she says. “Life went
on.”
Fast forward to 2012 and an event at Craftsman
House gallery. “By that time, and after many
attempts to keep it together (we had two young
sons to consider), my marriage had fallen apart,”
Jadus went on. “Unfortunately, I did not feel
supported in my pursuit of an art career. It’s
Carrie Jadus & Mark Aeling
BY CINDY STOVALL
PHOTO/CARRIE JADUS
/StPeteLifeMag.com