Felt Fantasies in Florida: Lucy Sparrow Lands at FloridaRAMA
St Pete is having a serious creative moment. When we visited for our cultural deep dive into the city’s museums, galleries and playful attractions, we knew this coast was buzzing with ideas. Now one of Britain’s most imaginative artists is adding her own twist to the mix.
Lucy Sparrow, the Bath-born artist known for turning everyday life into colourful felt universes, is debuting her latest immersive installation at FloridaRAMA. The new work, Lucy Sparrow’s Quick Shop, transforms a 700 square foot space into a Florida-inspired emporium packed with 13,000 handmade felt pieces. Think avocados, limes and strawberries sharing shelves with crabs, clams and oysters, all reimagined in Sparrow’s trademark soft sculptures.
FloridaRAMA describes itself as cooler than a museum, smarter than a theme park and weirder than a carnival. Sparrow’s work feels right at home in that playful setting. Her installations blur art and retail in a way that invites visitors to explore and buy directly from the shelves, creating a space that is both gallery and shop, both familiar and dreamlike.
“It’s a dream to host Lucy Sparrow at FloridaRAMA,” said Liz Dimmitt, CEO of FloridaRAMA. “Her playful work and immersive installations perfectly enhance the fun quirky spirit of the FloridaRAMA experience. Lucy’s humour and attention to detail combined with her collaborative approach parallels FloridaRAMA’s mission of Art for All, Play for All and Joy for All. We’re thrilled for everyone to experience Lucy’s magic with us.”
Sparrow has built a global following since her 2014 Cornershop installation in London’s East End sold out and captured imaginations worldwide. She later created felt Crown Jewels for the BBC to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. Her relationship with Florida goes back a decade and includes the Tampa Fresh Foods pop-up that drew huge attention in 2022. Recent exhibitions in London, Paris, Miami and New York have continued to cement her position as one of the UK’s most distinctive contemporary artists.
“I am such a huge fan of Florida, so it’s really exciting to have the opportunity to show my work at FloridaRAMA,” said Sparrow. “I made my U.S. debut in The Sunshine State back in 2015, so this is a great way to celebrate a decade of art, inspiration and exploration.”
Lucy Sparrow’s Quick Shop opened 21 November 2025 and will remain on view only while stock lasts.The installation is included with a general admission ticket to FloridaRAMA which you can get here.
If you want a reminder of why St Pete is becoming a cultural destination in its own right, revisit our recent Fused guide to the city’s art scene, including FloridaRAMA and its growing roster of immersive spaces.
