“Exciting new venture” to launch with ribbon cutting on August 23rd
Funky fish frescos have sprung up along St. Pete Beach’s Gulf Boulevard recently – the marine murals coming courtesy of Vero Beach artist Steve Diossy as he and Plaza Beach Resorts launch their new venture with a ribbon cutting on August 23rd.
A professional artist for over 25 years and a mainstay at major boat shows throughout the US, Diossy has had his flagship gallery on Vero Beach’s Ocean Drive since 2020. Now he has added a new string to his bow – working with St. Pete Beach’s Plaza Beach Resorts to transform two of the group’s properties (Bayview Plaza and Bay Palms Waterfront Resorts) into the Steve Diossy Marine Art Inspired Hotel. Each of the resorts’ 26 rooms and suites are decorated with the artist’s unique take on the Florida lifestyle. “Seeing the vision for the resort become a reality has been such a fun process. It’s an exciting new venture and I’m very grateful to the team at Plaza Beach Resorts for their support.”Diossy says of the project.
Robert Czyszczon, General manager of Plaza Beach Resorts, explained how the collaboration came about: “I had seen Steve’s art in restaurants and his gallery in Vero Beach in 2020, and when I saw his booth at the St. Pete Boat Show in 2022, it hit me that it would be a great theme for our hotels. Steve and his team loved the idea, and the rest is history. We are excited to welcome guests and locals to walk through the rooms and enjoy the lifelike art that Steve creates.”
The ribbon cutting, which will feature food, an open bar, raffles, and complimentary tattoos, will begin at 5pm at the Bayview Plaza and go through to 8pm.
Steve Diossy has created many notable designs and original works of art – the most famous being the Protect Wild Dolphins and Protect Marine Wildlife license plates for the state of Florida which have raised over $20 million for marine mammal conservation.
Notes to editor:
Steve Diossy is available for interview. For information on reduced room rates for journalists covering the event, please contact his Press Manager:
Daniel Fenton: +1 (321) 368 3007; [email protected]
About Steve Diossy:
Istvan (Steve) Diossy (born 1975, Chicago, IL) is a self-taught artist who at the age of 16 won first place and presidential recognition for a sculpture depicting Michelangelo’s “The Florentine Pietà”. Throughout the years, Steve continued to progress as an artist, developing a unique style enhanced by his fine art background, and an extensive knowledge of caricature and graphic design. With assignments ranging from animation to high performance automotive art, Steve has become a successful and highly sought-after commercial artist.
His piece “Raw Bar”, depicting a marlin, a mahi-mahi, a grouper and a blue crab enjoying drinks on the dock, was a launching pad that led Steve to start his own brand. The inspiration for “Raw Bar” was a weekend with three friends in the Florida Keys which was spent “in the water and at the bar”. Steve built on this, creating more art full of detail, recurring characters and plenty of humor. Of his art, Steve says: “It’s always more about us than the fish. I feel we are all fish out of water. Growing up in Florida – we all love being around the water. That’s where I’m happiest!”
Steve is also the artist of the “Protect Wild Dolphins” (1998) and “Protect Marine Wildlife” (2023) Florida license plates. The success of these plates has raised millions of dollars for marine conservation.
Through his artwork he reflects a great love of his community and natural surroundings. By frequently escaping to the beaches, Steve fuels his inspiration and endless desire to create vividly humorous and color-driven works of art.
About Plaza Beach Resorts:
The Plaza Beach Resorts are a collection of three award-winning, world-famous resorts on the tropical island of St Pete Beach. The Plaza Beach Hotel – Beachfront Resort is situated directly on the beach with a large heated beachside pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The Bayview Plaza Waterfront Resort and Bay Palms Waterfront Resort are located directly on the Boca Ciega Bay, just 200 yards across the street from the beach.
The resort is family owned and operated and has been since 1988. The family is still very active in the day-to-day operations. We are proud members of “Superior Small Lodging Association” and approved by AAA for Quality and Standards. Our resort has also received the Green Lodging seal from the State of Florida for our effort in conserving resources and recycling (including waste reduction, Energy Star Energy Conservation, Water CHAMPWater Conservation, and air quality).
