Coastal Resin Wood Tray Workshop at FloridaRAMA — Make a Gulf-Inspired Keepsake in St. Petersburg

At FloridaRAMA in St. Petersburg, Florida, the shoreline and the city's lively arts scene converge in a day of installations, live performance, and hands-on making. Held on the Gulf Coast where Tampa Bay gives way to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, FloridaRAMA invites visitors to wander immersive art environments before anchoring at a Wave Makers Workshop to build a coastal resin wood tray. All-day festival access opens paths between large-scale visual installations and smaller tactile exhibits; the Wave Makers Workshop runs from 6–8 PM and guides participants through a two-hour session to design and begin a resin-coated tray made with wood, shells, and ocean-inspired pigments. Tickets are $65 and include FloridaRAMA admission plus all workshop materials; trays are finished and available to pick up the following day. The experience bridges gallery-style viewing with studio practice, so you leave with both the images of the day and a hand-crafted memento. The scene is plain to the senses: salt air, low dunes beyond the festival grounds, and a palette of driftwood greys, shell whites, and the green blues of seagrass and Gulf water. Key features include the outdoor installations that punctuate park lawns, the hands-on studio area where resin is poured to mimic waves, and the finished wood tray—an object that captures local coastal geometry in epoxy and pigment. Geo-character comes from the nearby barrier islands and sandy beaches that shape the region’s aesthetic; the local flora includes sea oats and coastal grasses you’ll see in the festival landscaping. This workshop stands out because it translates place into object. Rather than a generic craft class, Wave Makers channels materials and motifs from Tampa Bay and the Gulf into a guided creative sequence that’s accessible to beginners. It’s ideal for travelers who want to pair an active arts day—walking installations, waterfront photographs, and casual local dining—with an evening project that yields a personal souvenir. Families, solo travelers, and creatives benefit equally. Practical notes: wear clothes that can tolerate a little pigment, plan to pick up your finished tray the next day, and expect close quarters during the pour—ventilation and organizers will be on hand. Whether you came for contemporary art or a slow Gulf Coast afternoon, this workshop gives you a tangible piece of St. Petersburg’s coastal character to carry home. Arrive early to wander installations at leisure—FloridaRAMA's layout favors strolls over rigid routes—and carry a small reusable water bottle to stay hydrated in Florida heat. Workshops move briskly through design and pour stages, so bring ideas and be ready to adapt; instructors supply templates and color swatches. Afterward, take a sunset walk on the St. Pete waterfront to close the day. Plan on parking or using local transit options.