Markus Gottschlich at St Petersburg Jazz Festival 2026

Markus Gottschlich selected as recipient of the 2026 Creative Fellowship

In this episode of Music Scene, Lunchtime Conversation host Nanette Wiser catches up on WADA upcoming exhibits, news and the  Warehouse Arts District Association Executive Director.

In St. Pete, Personal Style Is the Best Souvenir. Seven arts districts, a surrealist museum on the waterfront, and a one-of-each boutique philosophy have made St. Petersburg, Florida, the most individualistic place to get dressed in the Sunshine State.

Full documentary to be released in May 2026…

“Under the guidance of a committed board … and executive director, noted Steinway artist and composer Markus Gottschlich, who has a proven record of non-profit leadership, the organization is making great strides.”

“bringing the community together for an evening of music, stories and connection to support students, faculty and staff impacted by the closure of the Pinellas Job Corps Center“

“...an evening of exceptional music”

“The arts play a huge part in placemaking and quality of life. They are the reason people come here and stay here. It creates the feeling of a real city when you have a thriving arts and culture scene.”

 “When commercial viability becomes the sole arbiter of value, art risks losing its soul, becoming mere entertainment rather than a means of expression and reflection.”

“After years of providing affordable artist studios, the next logical step is to provide sustainable housing where they can live and work, said executive director Markus Gottschlich.”

“From his no-nonsense office in the ArtsXchange’s Tully-Levine Gallery, Markus Gottschlich gets down to business.”

“...the WADA campus, which has become, in recent years, a major hub for all kinds of community activity, most arts-related.”

“We invited her to come out and check out WADA during the Second Saturday ArtWalk,” Gottschlich explains. “And she immediately sensed the buzz, and the power of the creative community there. And her current place is next to a pizzeria.”

It was then, he said, “I started realizing the joy of the nonprofits’ work. Once that bug bites you, once you see how good you can do with placing arts and culture where it’s really needed …