By Caron Schwartz
Beautiful archive It’s no coincidence that the Sunshine City is also known as the “City of the Arts.” Since 1908, artists have flocked to St. Pete to create, teach and exhibit. Beautiful Beginnings: Stories of the Arts in St. Petersburg, the inaugural exhibit of the St. Petersburg Art Archive project, is now on display at the St. Pete Museum of History. The exhibition features the artwork and stories of the artists and educators whose legacy built the foundation of today’s art culture in St. Petersburg. www.spmoh.com/exhibits
Coming soon to an underpass near you Trails Crossing will activate underutilized areas underneath I-175, transforming them into vibrant event spaces, shopping corridors, dog parks, biergardens, and public art hubs connected by walkable pedestrian and cyclist paths, complementing the nearby Grand Central District, EDGE District, Warehouse Arts District, and Historic Gas Plant redevelopment.
Super students The Superintendent’s High School Exhibition of Excellence showcases the exceptional artistic talents of 11th- and 12th-grade students across Pinellas County Schools. The exhibition, on view at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete, highlights students pushing the boundaries of creativity in courses such as AP Art & Design, IB Visual Arts, AICE Art & Design, and other honors-level classes. 4/5-27. https://bit.ly/mfa-hs-exhibit
Surreal students The Student Surrealist Art Exhibit 2025: Hillsborough Obsession, Disintegration and Reinvention invites middle and high school students to consider Salvador Dalí’s key transformative stages and to explore one or more of these concepts in their artwork. On exhibit at the Dalí Museum now through 4/27. https://bit.ly/dali-student-exhibit
Even more talent The Gallery at Creative Pinellas hosts the Artistic Discovery 2025 Exhibition, showcasing artwork by talented high school students from the 13th congressional district. The annual competition, sponsored by the Congressional Institute, celebrates the artistic talent of high school students within each congressional district. On display through 4/27, with an award ceremony on 4/22, 6-7:30. https://bit.ly/13th-district-arts
Rock (& roll) of ages American Stage channels the dawning of the age of Aquarius with Hair, its latest production at Demens Landing Park. The rock & roll musical – Broadway’s first – transports theatergoers into the heart of the flower power movement, where the Tribe, a spirited group of young hippies, dares to challenge societal norms amid the turbulent backdrop of the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. Runs through 4/27. https://bit.ly/americanstagehair
Hello Dalai A momentous chapter of Tibetan history will come alive on June 4, when Bonhams auction house presents the Collection and Archive of Sir Basil Gould, the British diplomat who played a key role in the enthronement of the 14th Dalai Lama. Following the death of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1933, Tibetan religious authorities searched for his reincarnation. The discovery of a young boy in Amdo, who demonstrated an uncanny ability to recognize sacred objects from his predecessor’s life, led to his recognition as the Dalai Lama, and he was enthroned in 1940.
SPF 20 The Sunscreen Film Festival 20th interaction celebrates independent, cinematic artistry to captivate and inspire audiences from near and far. Mingle with filmmakers, actors, writers, producers, and celebrities in downtown St. Pete 4/24-27. www.sunscreenfilmfestival.com.
Clay trans/formation The Morean Center for Clay’s trans/clay/body exhibition features the ceramic artwork of more than 60 trans or gender nonconforming youths. Their year of free courses taught by Dakota-Joan Parkinson was made possible through a partnership with Creative Pinellas and the National Endowment for the Arts. Through these classes, students were challenged to connect themselves to a sense of history using the timeless medium of clay. Through 4/27. https://bit.ly/morean-dakota
Under the influence Calling all Morean member artists: who influences you? Are you inspired by a certain artist, writer, or musician? Someone famous, or someone you know personally, like a friend or family member? You are invited to submit a work of art inspired by or paying homage to your influencer for Influencers: 2025 Members Show. Deadline 6/15. Exhibition dates: 7/12-9/25. https://bit.ly/morean-influencers
Small is good Safety Harbor is in the running for USA Today’s 2025 Best Small Town in the South. Polls closed back in March so it’s too late to vote, but winners will be announced on 4/9. Check the results at www.10best.usatoday.com/awards
Meanwhile, let’s celebrate these USA Today 2025 10 Best winners: the Warehouse Arts District – No. 3 for Best Arts District; the City of St. Petersburg – No. 5 for Best Street Art Collections; and the Dalí Museum – No. 7 for Best Art Museum. Yay us!
Somewhere over the … Randy Rainbow is coming to the Mahaffey for his National Freakin’ Treasure Tour. American comedian, producer, actor, singer, writer, satirist, Internet influencer, and New York Times bestselling author, Rainbow dispenses musical comedy salve for a divided nation. https://bit.ly/mahaffeyrainbow
Celebrate mom at Mamapalooza™. The Museum of Motherhood partners with FloridaRAMA for a day of fun, free, family activities. This event honors and uplifts mothers and caregivers through a dynamic mix of music, art, and camaraderie. At FloridaRAMA 5/4, 11am-5pm. https://bit.ly/mamapalooza-tampa
Going anywhere? View the art of local students as part of the Westshore Alliance Student Art Exhibit at Tampa International Airport. Students from neighborhoods surrounding TPA – Roland Park K-8 Magnet School, Jefferson High School, and Hillsborough Community College – will have their works on display on the ticketing level of the Main Terminal next to the USO through 5/30.
Musical chairs The Palladium Theater has launched a Name A Seat initiative as part of its fundraising campaign for a $10 million renovation project. The St. Pete institution has received pledges and gifts totaling $8 million. The seat-naming initiative allows patrons to honor loved ones or highlight a company or organization with a laser-engraved brass plaque in Hough Concert Hall. The 100-year-old beauty presents performing arts in a state-of-the-art venue that is both intimate and majestic. www.mypalladium.org/name-a-seat
Artful aging DRV Gallery hosts Creative Aging Series with Therapeutic Arts Life Coach Michele Stone. April’s topic is Art Journaling for Connection, which will guide participants in creating a personalized art journal, a space to explore memories, dreams, and reflections. Through collaging, drawing, and writing prompts, participants share stories and memories as they work. 4/26 1-2:30pm. http://bit.ly/creative-aging
Au revoir mon ami The Centre Pompidou, Paris’s top museum for modern and contemporary art, will close for five years while it undergoes a $283.6 million renovation. Sadly, the museum will not reopen in time for its 50th anniversary in 2027. But if you’re in Brussels or Jersey City you can visit a Pompidou satellite near you.
Stop and smell the roses during the Historic Old Northeast annual Art in the Garden Tour. Revel among historic houses, lush oak canopies, quaint brick streets, original art, and live music. https://bit.ly/old-ne-garden-tour