Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Parodi.
Jason, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Honestly, ArtWorks DeLand came together a lot sooner than I ever expected.
In late 2023, Aaron Price, the owner of our building, purchased the oldest building in downtown DeLand and was walking around the Fall Festival of the Arts looking to connect with local artists. He wanted the building to have something to do with art — something that fit DeLand’s creative heartbeat.
When Aaron and I crossed paths, we started talking about what could be possible for the space, and before I knew it, an idea I’d tucked away for “some time down the road” was suddenly right in front of me.
At the time, I was part of the West Volusia Artists, an incredible local group filled with talent and energy. Melinda Cummings, the president of that group, gave me a few minutes to speak at one of their meetings and share this idea that would become ArtWorks DeLand — a cooperative gallery run by artists, for artists and art lovers alike. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but by the end of that meeting, word was spreading! Melinda and I hosted another meeting at the local library and soon we had enough people ready to invest in the vision. Melinda volunteered as our Board Chair, offering both her leadership and creative insight to guide us in those early stages. I recruited Karen Tweedie at this meeting. She quickly became my co-manager. Not only is Karen a talented artist, but she comes with years of experience running various businesses. She’s been an incredible asset to our group.
11 of us pooled our seed money and got to work. It took about $8,000 total to build the gallery with a lot of sweat equity keeping our initial capital expenditures down. It was a true community effort. Friends helped, artists helped, even a few of the artists’ husbands pitched in. We designed and built our own displays, painted walls, and transformed a raw space into something beautiful. On February 2nd, 2024, we were holding our soft opening. It still amazes me how quickly it all came together — it’s proof of what happens when creative people rally around a shared goal.
After the gallery opened, Melinda’s role became even more essential. She helped get our art classes underway, creating a process for artists to begin teaching in the gallery. In addition, she leads our community outreach, organizing classes taught by our artists at the Police Athletic League, the Duvall Home, and Grand Villa Assisted Living Center. Our artists are so gratified to go out into the community and share their love of art — which is a central part of our mission statement. Her leadership has really helped ArtWorks DeLand live up to its purpose as both a gallery and a hub for creative engagement.
ArtWorks DeLand has become more than a gallery to a lot of us. It’s a place where artists can work, exhibit, and grow together. Some days you’ll even catch artists painting, sculpting, or creating right in the middle of the gallery. That energy and collaboration, is what makes this place special.
When I think back on how it all started, I’m just incredibly grateful — to Aaron for seeing the potential, to Karen Tweedie for walking alongside me to manage the day to day, to Melinda and the founding board who believed in the vision, and to everyone who helped us bring ArtWorks DeLand to life. It really took all of us.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, definitely not a smooth road — but I think that’s part of what makes this result so rewarding.
The very first hurdle was recruiting artists. We knew we wanted to make this a co-op gallery, which meant filling enough spaces to make it financially sustainable while also keeping room up front for rotating themed shows and featured artists. We can display around 30 artists total, so that’s a big group to bring together right out of the gate.
We started with our own networks — groups like the West Volusia Artists and the Florida Women’s Art Association — and a call to artists flyer. But honestly, our biggest help came from social media. That was thanks to my wife, Tracy Parodi. She really took the reins on that front — not just posting on our own Facebook and Instagram pages, but also sharing in local community groups. That outreach helped us find artists who might never have heard about ArtWorks otherwise.
Once we had our artists juried in, the next big challenge was the day-to-day logistics of running a co-op. We essentially have 28 artists who rotate shifts in the gallery, plus two managers — myself and Karen. That’s a lot of people to keep trained, organized, and supported. We had to make sure everyone knew how to work the cash register, open and close properly, maintain displays, and handle customer interactions.
It sounds simple enough, but coordinating that kind of system was a huge learning curve. Karen was amazing — she ran countless training sessions and made herself available to every new artist as they joined. And Tracy, once again, stepped up and created a training manual that artists could refer to on their shifts. That manual has saved us more than once!
Once all of that was under our belts, things really started to click. We found our rhythm as a group and fell into a nice flow. Of course, like any small shop, we still have the occasional bump — a slow sales day here, a busy weekend there, the usual behind-the-scenes scramble that comes with running a creative business.
The biggest challenge we’ve faced since opening is seasonal sales. Summers tend to be slower — which is just the nature of retail and tourism here in Florida. Things pick up around the holidays when people are looking for meaningful, handmade gifts.
Overall, I can’t complain. Every challenge has taught us something, and we have a team that’s willing to adapt and work together. That’s what makes it unique — it’s not just my gallery, or Karen’s, or any one person’s. It’s a community of artists pulling in the same direction. And when that happens, you really start to feel the momentum.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a painter and sculptor who’s always been fascinated by how imagination and reality can overlap. I draw inspiration from everything around me, but I admire the vision of artists like Dalí and Todd Schorr along with other surrealists. In my work, I try to fuse natural elements with imaginative twists so the viewer feels both grounded and transported.
I’m probably best known for my oil paintings, though I also enjoy exploring other mediums and techniques — anything that lets me keep learning and evolving. I think what sets my work apart is that I’m as interested in process as I am in the final image. Every painting teaches me something new about patience, attention, and flow.
Outside of my studio, I pour a lot of that same creative energy into ArtWorks DeLand. Being surrounded by so many talented artists constantly challenges and inspires me. It’s hard not to grow when you’re part of that kind of community.
At the end of the day, what I’m most proud of is staying true to the work — whether that’s a piece on my easel or helping another artist find their audience. I want everything I do to reflect a love of craft, curiosity, and connection.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If I could give advice to someone just starting out — whether in art or any creative venture — I’d say this: don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you begin. I am a firm believer in the adage “perfection is the enemy of good”. When I first thought about starting something like ArtWorks DeLand, I pictured it being years down the road. I had this idea that I needed more time, more experience, more… something. But when the opportunity came along, I jumped — and I’m so glad I did. You’ll never have all the answers, but momentum teaches you what planning can’t.
As an artist, I’d also say: make a lot of work, and don’t be afraid to make bad work. That’s part of finding your voice. Every artist you admire has a pile of pieces that never saw the light of day — that’s how they refined their skills. Be curious, try new techniques, and don’t box yourself in.
It seems self-evident as I say it, but something I wish I’d known earlier is the importance of community. Art can feel like a solo journey. Surrounding yourself with other creatives changes everything. That’s a big part of why I love ArtWorks DeLand — it’s not just about selling art, it’s about sharing ideas, getting feedback, and watching people grow together.
And finally, don’t underestimate the “business” side of art. Learn how to market yourself, talk about your work, and manage your time. It’s not selling out — it’s setting yourself up to sustain your creativity. The balance between making art and managing art is something I’m still learning every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artworksdeland.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artworksdeland/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artworksdelandfl
Image Credits
Melinda Teaching at the Police Athletic League – Tracy Parodi
Front of ArtWorks DeLand – Jason Parodi
Young patron using our tiny gallery – Tracy Parodi
Joan Dominus – Tracy Parodi
Students in Paint Night Date Night – Stephanie Zing (one of our artists)
