The Birth of Shoosty Bugs: A Journey with Stephen Shooster By, Jennifer McInnes Coolidge, Executive Director The Atlantic Center for the Arts I’ve known Stephen Shooster for over a decade, first meeting him at his bustling South Florida com - pany—alive with the energy of family and employees working together in a sea of cubicles. At the time, I was serving as Director of Advancement for the Col - lege of the Arts at the University of Florida. I was in South Florida attending a conference with Lucinda Lavelli, Dean of the College. Stephen, a proud UF College of the Arts alum, welcomed us warmly. He was surrounded by his close-knit team of employees at that time. He eagerly introduced us to his family —all integral parts of their thriving business. Stephen proudly gave us a tour of his state-of-the- art computer center, a clear testament to his business success. But what truly stood out was the presence of his artwork throughout the space—his creativity was everywhere. We then visited his nearby art gal - lery, where a striking four-foot-square painting of an alligator caught our attention. That very piece now hangs in the Reitz Union at UF, marking Stephen’s first major art donation to the university. Since then, he has established a permanent scholarship that provides an annual stipend to an outstanding stu - dent selected by the College of the Arts. Our relationship deepened through shared mile - stones and challenges. Shortly after our visit, Ste - phen’s father was honored as Broward County’s Businessman of the Year—only to receive a leuke - mia diagnosis days later. In 2019, just before the pandemic began, the family sold the company—a hectic period during which Stephen also funded his scholarship. By 2022, he was ready to bring his art into the public sphere and reached out to me. At the
time, I was working with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and curating exhibitions at Mills Gallery. Without hesitation, I offered him a show. As I reviewed Stephen’s meticulously cataloged portfolio, a series of watercolor bug sketches stood out—playful, vibrant, and brimming with personality. As a seasoned curator, I recognized their potential and encouraged him to explore this direction. That moment planted the seed for what would become the Shoosty Bugs. Stephen’s first Shoosty Bugs exhibition opened in December 2020 at Mills Gallery. Departing from traditional canvas, he used a wide-format printer to create large-scale posters—transforming his whim - sical insects into bold, immersive experiences. Their vivid colors and imaginative forms evoked a sense of wonder reminiscent ofAlice in Wonderland. The show was a hit. In a clever twist, Stephen designed scarves featuring the bugs—offering guests an af - fordable, wearable piece of his art. They sold out quickly. On the exhibition’s final day, Zach Zacharious, se - nior education curator at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, Florida, visited the gal - lery. He immediately saw the broader potential of the work. Recognizing that Shoosty Bugs was more than just an art show, he invited Stephen to exhibit at the museum—offering him an entire gallery space with the simple words: “Stephen, this space is yours.” I can only imagine Stephen’s face in that moment—it was the realization of a lifelong dream. Watching the Shoosty Bugs take flight has been a joy and a privilege. I can’t wait to see where Stephen takes them next. Stephen has a limitless imagination and creative drive that I have rarely encountered. It is with great respect that I wish him all the best in his bold journey as an artist.
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