Highlighting Local Artist, Matt Shapiro, of 1771 Designs at The St. Pete Store & Visitor Center

At The St. Pete Store, we're proud to showcase the incredible talent and creativity of local artists. Now, we're shining a spotlight on Matt Shapiro, the visionary behind 1771 Designs. You might recognize the Shapiro name from the renowned Shapiro Gallery on Beach Dr., owned by his parents.

During the pandemic, when the gallery was temporarily closed, Matt took a leap of faith and started designing shirts that capture the essence of the Tampa Bay area without explicitly stating it. "I want people to see the shirt and know it is the Tampa Bay area, without it saying Tampa Bay," says Matt Shapiro.

Inspired by the Tampa Bay region, Matt uses t-shirts as a canvas to express his love and passion for the area. From the premium quality of the shirts to the unique style of his designs, Matt is focused on every detail. His mission is clear: "I set out on a mission to create a lifestyle clothing line that showcases the Tampa Bay area. In everything I do, my purpose is to make you smile and make someone who sees your shirt smile."

Matt's shirts celebrate the spirit and pride of Tampa Bay, especially its vibrant sports culture. However, he was still searching for something meaningful: "I need something more, and this is my more."

Still sports centered, Matt has partnered with several local causes to create shirts where proceeds benefit those causes. Notable collaborations include:

• Cystic Fibrosis Awareness: Created for a giant Bolts fan under the #bradleysBattleBuddies initiative.
• Cancer Support: Partnered with a local Rays fan who had a rare cancer to create a scholarship for veterinary students, inspired by the Scott family dog and their daughter's graduation from a tech high school program. Sadly Scott has passed away.
• Remembering Dave Wills: Collaborated with the family of Dave Wills, a beloved Rays broadcaster, to design a commemorative shirt. Proceeds go to Buddy Baseball.

The stories of partnership and purpose with these three people as well as others, can be found on his website.

Why 1771? The short answer is easy. 17 is Matt's favorite number, and when you mirror it you get 71. "The long answer gets into numerology, but I'll keep it simple: 17 is an independent business number, and 71 is a number focused on building things that last for generations."