Dr. Cody L. “Spec” Clark has had a long-standing career of over 35 years with the renowned arts magnet program– Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School. Dr. Clark is best known in the community as the premiere director of the Gibbs Gladiator Gospel Choir featuring such productions as “4 Little Girls, “Escorting Elizabeth: The Little Rock 9”, “The Murder Ring: Emmett Till Remembered,” “Sheba: The Queen of Legend,” “Simon: The Kingdom of Cyrene” and many more.  

He was educated in Georgia and completed his Bachelor’s degree in psychology at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. He achieved his Master’s degree (1986) and specialist degree (1996) in counseling education at the University of South Florida in Tampa. In 2003, he finished his Doctoral degree in Children, Youth, and Family counseling services at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  He specialized in African American youth in the visual and performing arts. In the fall of 2006, Dr. Clark joined the adjunct faculty at Argosy University in Sarasota and Tampa, where he taught graduate students enrolled in the school guidance and counseling program. He was also a member of the adjunct faculty as an interim professor at the St. Petersburg Theological Seminary.

He has experience and education in both music and theatre arts. His accomplishments include being awarded Counselor of the Year for the Pinellas County School District in 2011 and Counselor of the Year for the State of Florida in 2012. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.  He is the father of one son, Zachary. Dr. Clark retired from Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School in 2021.

“Premiere, progressive, and profound ” are just a few words to describe Gibbs High School. My modest involvement with this new museum adventure has been a vintage experience. I am so proud to be a part of its history”.