The Birth of Shoosty Bugs: A Journey with Stephen Shooster
I’ve known Stephen Shooster for over a de - cade, first meeting him at his bustling South Florida company—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 College of the Arts at the University of Florida. I was in South Florida attending a conference with Lucinda Lavelli, Dean of the College. Ste - phen, 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 testa - ment to his business success. But what truly stood out was the presence of his artwork throughout the space—his creativity was ev - erywhere. We then visited his nearby art gal - lery, where a striking four-foot-square paint - ing of an alligator caught our attention. That very piece now hangs in the Reitz Union at UF, marking Stephen’s first major art dona - tion to the university. Since then, he has es - tablished a permanent scholarship that pro - vides an annual stipend to an outstanding student selected by the College of the Arts. Our relationship deepened through shared milestones and challenges. Shortly after our visit, Stephen’s father was honored as Bro - ward County’s Businessman of the Year— only to receive a leukemia diagnosis days lat - er. In 2019, just before the pandemic began, the family sold the company—a hectic period during which Stephen also funded his schol - arship. 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 Or - lando Philharmonic Orchestra and curating exhibitions at Mills Gallery. Without hesita - tion, I offered him a show.
As I reviewed Stephen’s meticulously cat - aloged portfolio, a series of watercolor bug sketches stood out—playful, vibrant, and brimming with personality. As a seasoned curator, I recognized their potential and en - couraged him to explore this direction. That moment planted the seed for what would be - come 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 whimsical insects into bold, immersive experiences. Their vivid colors and imaginative forms evoked a sense of wonder reminiscent of Alice in Wonder - land. The show was a hit. In a clever twist, Stephen designed scarves featuring the bugs—offering guests an affordable, wear - able piece of his art. They sold out quickly. On the exhibition’s final day, Zach Zachari - ous, senior education curator at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, Flor - ida, visited the gallery. He immediately saw the broader potential of the work. Recogniz - ing 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.
By, Jennifer McInnes Coolidge, Executive Director The Atlantic Center for the Arts
Jennifer Mcinnes Coolidge wearing Victorian Violin Bug dress designed by Shoosty in front of the large 12” tall panel at MoAS
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