When PJ Svejda moved to Mount Dora in 2020, the day they closed the banks for the pandemic, she was ready to rebuild her life. 

With a young son at home and the world shutting down, PJ had to get real creative with how to make a living. An artist by trade with a master’s degree in painting and a bachelor’s in illustration, she had weathered tough seasons before, graduating in 2009 during the recession. 

“There were no jobs at all,” she says. 

She supported herself through birthday parties and freelance work before eventually settling in Mount Dora.

An impulsive decision to rent one of the empty storefronts downtown has grown into a shared studio, gallery and community hub. Studio Art Farm, titled for her ultimate goal to expand into a farm, evolved into a collective where artists share studio space, gallery walls and creative energy. 

Today, the studio hosts classes for children, teens and adults, along with events like Art in the Alley.

“I always wanted to be really community oriented,” she says. “I wanted to have a place where I could bring my son and bring my dog.”

PJ’s artwork reflects her deeper mission. Much of her work explores conservation and coexistence, often portraying animals and the relationship between humans and the natural world. 

“If you can make people fall in love with what you love, they’re more inclined to protect it,” she says. 

PJ’s dog, Enzo, is a regular at the studio, greeting visitors and adding to the welcoming, family-style atmosphere.

Rather than scolding, she paints to inspire connection, especially to Florida’s wildlife and disappearing forest spaces. Her paintings burst with bold, saturated hues, vibrant pinks, electric blues and sun-soaked yellows, reflecting Florida’s vivid landscape and her belief that color can spark joy and connection.

Looking ahead, she hopes to purchase property in the next few years to create a literal art farm, complete with an animal sanctuary, community gardens, food and art workshops, and eventually artist retreats. 

Photos: Cindy Peterson