By Julie Garisto, Correspondent
A little more than half the nation shed tears this week, but for painter and multimedia artist Carlos Pons, sadness is creative currency. Born in Guatemala in 1989, Pons teaches his developmentally disabled students at Pyramid Inc. — as well as himself — that art helps us sort through feelings of sadness and displacement. The fruits of Pons’ bittersweet labor can be seen in Pons’ solo show, Melancholic Human, at St. Petersburg’s Soft Water Studios. The gallery owned by renowned figure/portrait artist Carrie Jadus will present an opening reception for the exhibit this Saturday, Nov. 12, from 5 to 9 p.m., coinciding with St. Petersburg’s monthly art walk. The gallery can be found at 515 22nd Street South, St. Petersburg. Visit softwaterstudios.com for details. Also, read an interview with the artist in Alive Tampa Bay next week.