ART NEWS By Caron Schwartz
Go Van Gogh Alive
Experience Vincent van Gogh’s works in an immersive art installation that opens a new window into the celebrated painter’s artistic genius. From his famous “Starry Night” to his radiant “Sunflowers,” Van Gogh’s vibrant work invites viewers to revel in color, light, and sound. Visitors will feel the sensation of walking right into Van Gogh’s paintings – an experience that is both educational and inspiring. The Dalí Museum is the first North American venue to host this mesmerizing version of Van Gogh Alive. Tickets for the show, which runs Nov. 1-April 11, 2021, are on sale now at thedali.org/visit/buy-tickets.
MFA Redux
Now that it’s finally reopened, St. Petersburg’s Museum of Fine Arts has a few surprises for visitors. Beyond the arched doorway and double doors that house the MFA Collection, you’ll find that the 12,000-square-foot collection galleries have been completely renovated. The facelift coincides with the museum’s 55th anniversary and enhances the museum’s encyclopedic collection that spans 5,000 years of art history.
Visitors will also hear a dramatic difference in the collection galleries. The MFA has launched Resonance, a new program that explores the relationship between sound and visual art. The museum invited The Florida Orchestra to curate archival recorded music selections to be played in specific galleries throughout the day, bringing an aural context to works in the collection. Resonance will later include spoken word and other auditory experiences to include poetry, classic prose, and artists’ writings.
Admission tickets must be reserved online (mfastpete.org/visit) for timed entry per the Museum’s COVID-19 safety measures.
The SHINE(ing)
For the sixth year running, St. Pete’s SHINE festival will give visitors a chance to see amazing public art as it is being created. This year, the festival partners with PangeaSeed Foundation’s Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans program to present Sea Walls: St. Petersburg, focusing on our marine environment. Officially, SHINE runs Nov. 7-14, but it’s an open-air museum you can visit 365 days a year. Download the Pixelstix app (pixelstix.com) to learn about each mural as you go.
The most wonderful time of the year
The St. Pete Beach Parks & Recreation Department Presents Holiday Movies in the Park! Join us for great holiday classics brought to life on the big screen! Tickets are $5, and each ticket provides enough space for up to 8 people to share, so grab your friends and family and enjoy a night under the stars. Make sure to come early and jump in on all the holiday fun and shop from local vendors to find that perfect holiday gift this year! For tickets and more information please visit spbrec.com or call 727-363-9245. Event takes place in Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive.Movies start at 6:30pm – Market open from 5-9pm.
December 4: Elf
December 11: The Polar Express
December 18: The Santa Clause
On the other side of the
Sunshine Skyway …
The Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design is pleased to announce the relaunching of the monthly Pay What You Can (PWYC) day at the Sarasota Art Museum and the hiring of multilingual Visitor Experience Associates (VEAs) to enhance diversity and inclusion training to offer an enriching experience for all museum guests. PWYC day will begin again on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, and every first Sunday thereafter. The multilingual VEAs will help create experiences of
inclusion that serve our broader diverse community. The museum will seek input from leaders in underserved communities to help maximize this program’s impact. For more information see sarasotaartmuseum.org.
How about over the other bridge?
A shopping excursion you may want to warn your wallet about! Join us on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Westshore Plaza in Tampa, 11am-7pm, for an exciting day of shopping and fun, where you’re sure to find the perfect gift for everyone. There will be books, arts and crafts, direct sales favorites, make-up, clothing, coins, non-profits, authors, exercise goods, and so on and so forth. If you want to take a break from shopping, plan to sit with artist Natalia Londono and create your own piece of art. She will be offering Paint & Takes for $10 per person, canvas and supplies included. You don’t need to be an expert artist to partake! Just a willing spirit. For more information visit westshoreplaza.com.
The return of the art walks!
After a seven-month hiatus due to COVID-19, St. Pete’s Second Saturday ArtWalk returned with renewed energy, life, and great art on Saturday, Oct. 10. The studios and galleries of the Central Arts District, EDGE District, Grand Central District, Warehouse Arts District, and downtown Waterfront Arts District have started welcoming visitors again! COVID guidelines are in place at each venue, and trolleys will not be running due to not having enough space for social distancing. For more information visit stpeteartsalliance.org/artwalk.
Gulfport’s First Friday Art Walk returned safely to Beach Boulevard on Friday, Oct. 2 with a celebration of art and healing featuring some of the region’s most innovative artists in an outdoor and socially distanced setting safe for arts lovers of all ages. After months of hibernation, artists and businesses alike are eager to engage this arts-loving community in a celebration of creativity. Since its inception in 1993, First Friday Art Walk has been a signature event of the Gulfport Merchants Chamber and the town’s creative community.
But wait there’s more! The GMC also redesigned the town’s Third Saturday Walk, dubbing it IndieFaire. The newly configured arts market made its debut Oct. 17 showcasing the rich and diverse creative landscape of the town and region in a festive outdoor arts market with live entertainment and family fun for arts lovers of all ages. It’s a fun, family-friendly arts event with live music, street performers, and uniquely designed-for-the occasion morsels created by local restaurants for dine-in or walk-about eating.
The revamped events address safety considerations in a post-onset of COVID environment with artists’ exhibits having social distancing and safety protocols in effect. Safety ambassadors are on hand for all GMC events with masks and sanitizer upon request. For more information click to visitgulfportflorida.com or @VisitGulfportFL.
St. Pete ArtWorks presents Role Reversal
Judy Vienneau and Carole Shelton both work with metal in three-dimensional art: Judy as a wire sculptor/mixed media artist, and Carole as a jewelry artist. They have reversed their focus for this show with Carole presenting 3D metal “Quilts” and Judy with “Wearable Art.” “We are both stepping out of comfort zones,” said Shelton. Both artists have included versions of their signature styles, as well as new pieces using their skills in metal, wire, and embellishments. See the exhibition through Nov. 15 at St. Pete ArtWorks, 2412 Central Ave. A closing reception will be held Nov. 14 during ArtWalk.
The show finally goes on!
St. Petersburg City Theatre, 4025 31st St. S, is launching its new performing space in the lobby known as The Little Theatre with Broadway by Request. The musical is a best-of-Broadway review as picked by online voting and each night’s audience. The cast will perform the Top 10 from online votes, some of their personal favorites, and suggestions from the audience. Be prepared to hear your favorites from “Wicked,” Phantom,” “Les Mis,” and more.
The Little Theatre has socially distanced cabaret tables and the audience is invited to Bring Your Own Everything – food and drink – to enjoy during performances. Performances are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 & 14, at 8pm and Sunday, Nov. 15, at 4pm. Tickets are $20 and are available online at spcitytheatre.org/tickets.
The Straz says, “Your gift helps raise the curtain.” COVID has been hard on theaters worldwide. The Straz is slowly coming back to life with shows on the Riverwalk and Jaeb Theater. Tampa’s closest venue to Broadway is asking for your help. Yes, donations are always appreciated (give at tinyurl.com/y2vk3xjt). But they are really looking for stories. If you’ve ever shared a special moment with someone at the Straz, share your memory on social media with the tag #StrazStory. Learn about upcoming shows at strazcenter.org.
Preserve the ‘Burg virtually
As the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll on group events, Preserve the ‘Burg has put together several “virtual” programs for you to enjoy. And when the world gets back to normal, we look forward to seeing you in person at one of our popular events!
• Sense of Place Videos and Essays (preservetheburg.org/page-1817823): This new video series explores the city’s unique personality in a series of one-minute videos. The series offers a glimpse into those places and people that make St. Petersburg special.
• The Great St. Pete Trivia Challenge (preservetheburg.org/page-1817827): Are you a “newbie” to the Sunshine City, or have you lived here long enough to know as much as a “local”? Or maybe your knowledge base reached the level of a “native”? Now is your chance to find out!
• Or get off your duff and Walk St. Petersburg, a 12-stop downtown, self-guided audio tour, and part of the Florida Humanities Council’s “Florida Stories” audio tour series. Florida Stories is your personal walking tour guide to a variety of Florida towns, big and small. Tours comprise an audio narration and synchronized photos, giving you a unique “behind the scene” view of the town you choose. Download tours free from the Florida Humanities Council “Florida Stories” app (floridahumanities.org/programs/florida-stories).
Go with the GLOW
It’s time to celebrate and enjoy time with friends … safely, joyously, and with great food … all while being entertained between meal courses with skillful, artistic cirque performers. GLOW DINNER TABLE, sponsored by Lamborghini Sarasota, presents a magical dining experience utilizing their chic, colorful dining tables on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts/Mahaffey Theater Plaza, 400 1st St. S, in St. Pete. Catered by 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House, GLOW TABLE DINNER is an ideal way to enjoy a night out with friends, outdoors, in a festive atmosphere, yet within strict adherence to CDC and local municipal health guidelines. For details, including safety precautions and menu selections, please go to glowtabledinner.com.
Everyone has their ghosts, and St. Pete is no different. Join St. Peter’s Ghosts as we walk you through the streets of St. Pete and turn you into professional ghost-hunters and adventure seekers… all while enjoying some adult beverages. We invite you to join us for a drink, death, and delirium as we enter the dark side of the Sunshine City. St. Peter’s Ghosts lead The Original Haunted History Tour the first and second weekend (Friday and Saturday only) of every month. Tours start promptly at 7pm and depart from the St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 2nd Ave NE. More tours are in the planning stages. To learn more and buy tickets see stpetersghosts.com or @stpetersghosts.
ProjectFREE in Gulfport, a nonprofit arts program for adults with diverse abilities, is seeking two part-time teachers. Artist/Art Teacher for Artisan Entrepreneur Program for adults with diverse abilities.
Requirements: multimedia artist/art teacher with strong ceramic background with kiln, wheel, and glazing. Program Goal: art students become entrepreneurs and earn 100 percent of their art sales. Commitment: three two-hour classes per week. Email resume, include artwork and website to kstanzo@gmail.com.
Music Teacher / Rock Band Instructor for our Rock Band Academy for adults with diverse abilities. Requirements: musician/music teacher with strong guitar skills to teach rock band instruments guitar, drums, and keyboards; 2-3 chord rock songs; ear technique; building block approach. Program Goal: Live student rock band performance. Commitment: two two-hour classes per week. Email resume and performance links or videos to kstanzo@gmail.com.For more information about these programs see facebook.com/MyProjectFree1. PN