Beaux Arts director, Thomas Bruce Reese was a Pinellas County and Tampa Bay art icon, Tom's family was among the pioneers to the Pinellas peninsula during the late 1800s and early 1900s.  The site of the Royal Palm Hotel in Pinellas Park (built by Tom's family) served as the society's home until 1995.  He moved the art gallery and museum as well as the performance space to Central Ave. in St. Petersburg in 1995, where he continued supporting the arts until he became ill in March, 2005.  Sadly, Tom passed away in January, 2006.

The idea of a "coffeehouse" started at a time when people wanted a place to gather in the evening to tell stories, sing songs and read poetry.  Since the Royal Palm was the biggest place in town, it seemed to be the hot spot.  By 1914 it was well established. Coffee was given away and the rules were framed on the wall of the main gathering room ("No Liquor, No Smoking, No Working on Cars on Sunday").  Since it was in continuous existence from 1914 to 2005, it just might have been the "World's Oldest Coffeehouse."

Tom took over the reins after serving in the navy during World War II.   Toward the end of his life, Tom was  formally recognized by the Pinellas County Arts Council as a true friend of the Arts.  We were lucky to have him.

This site will honor Tom's vision.  Come back and experience the history of Beaux Arts.  If you have any old clippings or photos, please contact Donna Klein for information on how to submit to this web site.

A lover of the Arts from an early age, he founded two yearly statewide art competitions:

The Festival of States Art & Music Festival

and

The Americana Art & Music Festival

The Festival of States Art & Music Festival was held in conjunction with the city of St. Petersburg's annual month-long Festival of States.  Festival of States leads up to the end of the tourist season and corresponds with Easter.   The only criterion for entry into any of the categories was the artist or songwriter had to reside in Florida.

The Americana Art & Music Festival was held each July 4th.  The criterion was the same as above.

Tom housed and hosted the likes of Jack Kerouac and Jim Morrison (yes, that Jimbo).

Every Saturday night at 8 p.m., the gallery/museum was transformed into a coffeehouse where poets, musicians, storytellers, magicians, etc... gathered to share their talents for an appreciative audience.

Sundays were reserved for movies.  You never know what Tom would pull out of his eclectic bag of films!  Showings were at 2:30 and again at 8:30 p.m.

If you would like to visit Tom's gravesite, please refer to the map.

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Since March 12, 2004