By Caron Schwartz
It’s on! The Dali Museum’s long-planned expansion got the green light when St. Pete City Council approved an amendment to the Dali’s 99-year lease. The expansion will include a multi-level addition to the southwest side of the existing building for education, conferences, events, galleries, and a restaurant and terrace overlooking the downtown yacht basin.
Write now In conjunction with the Dali’s special exhibition, The Subversive Eye, Keep St. Pete Lit invites you to the museum for an evening of ekphrastic writing, AKA writing inspired by art. 1/28, 6-8pm https://bit.ly/impressionist-writing
Dalí member? You get free admission to a partner museum/attraction every month. In January take a peek at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts while you’re wandering around Ybor City. https://bit.ly/daliphotoartflorida
Rock & roll is here to stay FMoPA presents Fandom: Celebrating Rock & Roll. Immerse yourself into the electric atmosphere of rock and roll through the eyes of the fans. This exhibition features photographs by photojournalist Jay Nolan and rare memorabilia collected by Davy Alder, former Virgin Entertainment executive. Celebrate remarkable performers and their dedicated fans. Now through 3/2. https://bit.ly/fmopa-rock-roll
Long live classical music The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, a violin crafted in 1714 during Antonio Stradivari’s legendary “Golden Period,” is poised to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s in February. With a jaw-dropping estimate of $12–18 million, this rare masterpiece promises to rewrite auction records and transform the future of classical music education. Offered by the New England Conservatory, the sale will fund the largest scholarship program in the Conservatory’s history.
Always on my mind Country music legend Willie Nelson returns to Clearwater’s BayCare Sound 2/15. https://bit.ly/nelson-sound
My kinda place The Book Rescuers, George Brooks’s mission to rehome, repurpose, or recycle unwanted books, has moved its three miles of shelves housing 100,000-plus books to 8325 Ulmerton Road. Amenities include a 60-seat reading lounge, 16 craft beers on tap, and a coffee and tea bar. A stage is available for authors and musicians to perform, and there’s an educational room for children. www.werescuebooks.com
Painting with Spirit Join St. Pete artist Paul Wesley Portal for a three-hour workshop in acrylic painting to connect you with your inner creativity and experience art as part of a mind/body wellness practice. 1/18, 10am-1pm. GCAA at Artists In Residence, 5546 First Ave. N, St. Pete. $80 includes all materials. https://bit.ly/painting-with-spirit
Yippee for Yupo Learn to paint Florida and abstract designs on tree-free Yupo paper with alcohol inks and acrylics with Carole Rosefelt. $45 per workshop. 1/12, 12-3pm. GCAA at Artists In Residence, 5546 First Ave. N, St. Pete. https://bit.ly/carole-rosefelt
It’s a small world Celebrate 50 years of miniature art at the Golden Anniversary Exhibition of the Miniature Art Society of Florida (MASF) at the Gallery at Creative Pinellas. This juried international exhibition features award-winning masterpieces from artists worldwide, showcasing the remarkable attention to detail required for this vibrant art form. 1/19-2/9. https://bit.ly/creative-pinellas-minis
Creative Pinellas’s Arts Annual Hurricane Relief Fundraiser raised $20,000 to support Pinellas County artists and arts organizations impacted by recent hurricanes. The December event showcased 130 artists, employed five musicians, two dancers, a curator, a photographer, a video content creator, and a graphic designer; and generated $5,000 in art sales.
And the recipients are… Creative Pinellas’s Hurricane Relief Fund will provide $500 individual and $1000 nonprofit grants. Deadline to apply 1/12, decisions announced 1/31, payments begin in Feb. https://bit.ly/creative-hurricane-relief
Rhythm on film Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers presents Santos – Skin to Skin directed by Kathryn Golden. The film portrays community activist and 7-time GRAMMY® nominee John Santos, a “keeper of the Afro-Caribbean flame.” Rich in musical performances, Santos links the rhythms of his ancestors to contemporary struggles of identity and social justice. Murray Theatre at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 2/20 https://bit.ly/santos-skintoskin
It’s not easy being green On a narrow path through Florida’s Everglades Headwaters, Mallory Dimmitt, CEO of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, and two friends embarked on a journey to survey a fragile wilderness corridor before it disappears forever. Join the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete for The Last Green Thread, a powerful short film, and hear from Dimmit, as she discusses the importance of protecting and restoring our precious environment. 2/13, 6-7:15pm https://bit.ly/mfa-green-thread
Hot art Hot Works presents its two St. Pete area fine arts shows at Imagine Museum in St. Pete 1/18-19 and 3/8-9. If you’re hooked on art shows, Hotworks has upcoming exhibits in Naples 1/25-26, Boca Raton 2/8-9, and Sarasota 3/29-30. https://bit.ly/hotworks-events
Tap your toes to Riverdance at the Mahaffey 1/28-2/2, featuring the “New Generation” of performers, all of whom weren’t born yet when the show began 30 years ago. Enjoy a unique, memorable performance that blends the traditional and contemporary, showcasing the skill and passion of world-class dancers, musicians, and singers in the Riverdance ensemble. https://bit.ly/mahaffey-riverdance
My fief or yours The Pinellas Medieval Fair returns to DK Farms in Largo 1/25-26 and 2/1-2. You will be treated to live blacksmithing, Robin Hood-style archery, acrobatics, hand-to-hand combat, pony rides, animal feedings, and more. An artisan market features unique crafts and handmade goods. https://bit.ly/medieval-dkfarms
The local’s favorite Art Festival Beth-El, celebrates 52 years of exhibiting and selling a juried selection of original artwork including painting, photography, mixed media, glass, sculpture, metal, wood, ceramics, and jewelry. 1/25-27, Temple Beth-El in St. Pete. www.artfestivalbethel.com
