For Rebecca Zweibel, art arrived not as a lifelong plan but as a welcome and transformative surprise. A longtime Old Northeast resident, Zweibel and her husband have owned their home in the neighborhood since 2011. Like many neighbors, she loves walking the leafy green streets, taking in the calm rhythm of the area and the sense of community that comes with it. That quiet, steady environment offers the perfect backdrop for an artistic practice rooted in exploration and patience.

Zweibel came to her art career later in life. While her children were in high school, she enrolled in a clay throwing class, expecting it to be a casual creative outlet. Instead, she found herself completely captivated. That first experience with clay sparked something deeper, leading her down a path she continues to follow with curiosity and commitment. What began as an experiment soon became a passion, and then a serious artistic pursuit.

Her primary medium is clay sculpture, though she also works in painting. Clay is where her voice feels strongest. Her sculptures are generally abstract, with each piece standing entirely on its own. Zweibel often draws and colors directly onto the surfaces of her work, blending sculptural form with painterly line and color. The result is a collection of pieces that feel playful yet considered, intuitive yet deliberate.

Abstract art is her main source of inspiration. Rather than working toward a specific image or outcome, Zweibel allows each piece to evolve organically. Balance, texture, and movement guide her decisions, and the process itself becomes part of the final story. Viewers are invited to engage without instruction, discovering their own interpretations through shape and surface.

Working in clay, however, is not without its challenges. Zweibel speaks honestly about the unpredictable nature of the medium. She may invest many hours into a sculpture only to have it crack or even blow apart in the kiln. These moments can be disheartening, but they have also taught her resilience. Over time, she has learned to accept risk as part of the process, understanding that experimentation often comes with loss, and that each setback informs what comes next.

Zweibel remains actively involved in the arts community, participating in local shows and events whenever possible. Her work has also found a broader audience. She is represented by various galleries around the country and online, extending her reach well beyond St. Petersburg. Closer to home, neighbors can find her work at Florida CraftArt, ARTicles Gallery, and the Morean Center for Clay, all respected institutions within the local arts scene.

When asked what she hopes her art brings to others, Zweibel keeps her answer simple and sincere. She hopes people find enjoyment in it. Not answers or explanations, just a connection to an art form that speaks to them personally.

Rebecca Zweibel’s artistic journey is a reminder that creativity does not follow a single timeline. Through patience, persistence, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty, she has built a body of work that feels both grounded and adventurous. From her Old Northeast walks to galleries near and far, her sculptures reflect a life shaped by curiosity and the joy of making.

720.300.1552
406 19th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33704
rzweibelk@gmail.com 
Instagram: @rebeccazweibel