Howayda Affan: Executive Director & CEO, Morean Arts Center

ABOUT ME

I have called St. Petersburg home for seven years now. I came here from Boston, after spending a couple of years in Jacksonville, to take the position of Executive Director of the Morean Arts Center. It did not take long for St. Petersburg to feel like home. What I love most is the combination of the arts, the water, the beautiful weather, and the remarkable sense of community. There is a genuine sense of civic pride here, and I love that people care deeply about making St. Petersburg a better and more creative place. I love that you can be right in the middle of a vibrant downtown filled with arts, culture, restaurants, and galleries, and just a few minutes later be on one of our beautiful beaches. That combination is difficult to replicate.

I have always been drawn to the way art can change how you see the world. My undergraduate degree is in interior design, so I was initially interested in the way creativity, space, materials, and people come together. I later earned a master’s degree in museum studies, thinking I would focus primarily on museum exhibitions and curatorial work.

What I discovered along the way was that museums are about so much more than exhibitions. They are really about people and community. They are places for learning, connection, conversation, and discovery, and they can make art accessible to people who might not otherwise encounter it. That realization really shaped my career. I came to love not only art itself, but the opportunity to use art and museums to bring people together, create meaningful experiences, and have a lasting impact on a community.

I hope Tampa Bay continues to grow in a way that is thoughtful, intentional, and rooted in the qualities that make this region so distinctive. Growth brings tremendous opportunity, but it also comes with a responsibility to protect the character, cultural identity, and sense of community that people value here.

I would like to see continued investment in the arts, culture, public spaces, and the creative economy, alongside development that is thoughtful and accessible. A strong cultural ecosystem does more than enrich the quality of life for residents; it attracts visitors, draws talent and investment, and helps create a sense of place.

Tampa Bay has the potential to become one of the country’s great cultural destinations, and I would love to see us embrace that opportunity while remaining true to what makes this place special.

MY LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

I always want visitors to experience the cultural side of St. Petersburg, so the Morean Arts Center and Chihuly Collection are naturally at the top of my list. One of the experiences that consistently gets a “wow” from my visitors is watching the glassblowing demonstrations at the Morean Glass Studio. 

I also like taking visitors along Beach Drive and to the waterfront. It gives them a good sense of what makes St. Petersburg distinctive: art, restaurants, the water and a very walkable downtown.

Mangosteen on Central Avenue feels like the unofficial lunch spot for everyone who works downtown. Everyone goes there, and you are almost guaranteed to run into someone you know. I usually order their Bohemian Chickie, but I ask them to substitute tofu for the chicken. 

For a special occasion, I love Fortu. It’s known for its exceptional steaks and Japanese-inspired cuisine, so as someone who does not eat red meat, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the experience. The mushroom dumplings are excellent, and there are so many beautifully prepared dishes that you never feel as though you are missing anything by not ordering the steak.

Fort De Soto is one of my favorite places to get away for a few hours. It has beautiful beaches, nature trails and so many quiet spots where you can just enjoy being outside.

For a staycation, I would say Anna Maria Island. It feels like a real getaway without having to travel very far. I love the relaxed, old Florida character of the island, spending time at the beach, walking around and just slowing down. 

Tampa Bay is, of course, known for its beautiful beaches, and we should absolutely celebrate that. But there is so much more to the region than our coastline. There is a vibrant creative community, a rich cultural life and an incredible range of experiences to discover. 

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.