By Caron Schwartz
Post-hurricane stress syndrome envelopes Tampa Bay. People, institutions, old-growth trees, buildings historic and not so much, beaches and parks and wildlife all in a daze. It’s hard to concentrate with brain fog so thick no amount of coffee can cut it. Many arts and cultural events have had to be postponed or canceled. But we charge along as we always do.
True dedication When Hurricane Milton landed, Tampa Museum of Art Executive Director Michael Tomor camped out in the building, which was designed to withstand a Cat 4 storm.
Disaster assistance for creatives Creative Pinellas is rolling out four immediate initiatives to support our arts community reeling from statewide budget cuts and two hurricanes in less than two weeks. https://bit.ly/cp-relief-resources
Arts Annual Hurricane Relief Fundraiser Originally a fundraiser for Creative Pinellas, the Arts Annual Hurricane Relief Fundraiser will instead benefit artists and arts organizations. Date TBD. https://creativepinellas.org/event/arts-annual-2024-fundraiser
National help for creatives
- MusiCares Relief Grants provides crisis relief, preventive care, recovery resources, and need-based financial assistance for people across all music professions. www.musicares.org
- Jazz Foundation of America has a jazz musicians relief fund. https://bit.ly/jazzrelief
- Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) has help for crafters. www.cerfplus.org
- New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) offers help for dancers through the Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants (https://bit.ly/dancegrants) and Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants (https://bit.ly/raus-emergency-grants)
Something to talk about Join an artful conversation at the Museum of Fine Arts between Luis Seixas, objects conservator, and Dr. Stanton Thomas, chief curator. Seixas has been restoring a 17th-century tabernacle at the MFA. This artful conversation will include a discussion of the findings and insight into its complicated symbolism. 11/14, 6-7:15pm. https://bit.ly/mfa-november
The Gulf Coast Artists Alliance is accepting applications for their 2025 season of exhibitions at Artists-In-Residence in St. Pete. Winners will exhibit in either a solo or shared show for one month during the year. Deadline 11/30. https://bit.ly/gcaa-call
Rembrandt of ramen Still lifes of food have a long, storied history, from the lush banquet tables of Dutch and Flemish 17th-century artists to Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup cans. Today Tallahassee-based Noah Verrier paints subjects like Smuckers Uncrustables, jelly donuts, and a can of Diet Coke in a lip-smacking style reminiscent of the Old Masters. www.noahverrier.com
Book banquet Brenda McMahon Gallery in Gulfport features Ted Wray in November. The award-winning artist rescues books from the recycling bin and transforms them into mind-expanding new 3-D worlds of wonder. www.brendamcmahongallery.com
Lady Marmalade Patti LaBelle performs at the Mahaffey 12/18 at 8pm. https://bit.ly/patti-at-mahaffey
The play is afoot Holmes and Watson are back in business when freeFall Theatre presents Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure 11/8-12/15. An investigation into the Bohemian king’s stolen letters cascades into an international mystery. www.freefalltheatre.com
At the James Flight of the Mind: Paintings by Marcus C. Thomas, will be on view in the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art’s Wildlife Gallery 11/9-1/5/2025. Thomas, a quadriplegic mouth painter, channels imagination, talent, and perseverance into detailed paintings of the natural world. www.thejamesmuseum.org
While there, have a bite at the Canyon Café, where you can enjoy Black is Beautiful, digital art created by the late Nick Davis.
My art will go on If you’re jonesing for ART, check out ArtJones: Gulfport’s Annual Artist Studio Tour. Nine studios, 22 artists, 12/7-8. www.artjonesstudiotour.com
Need a little magic Chris and Ryan Zubrick, the darling duo of Zubrick Magic Theatre, are asking for your help. Hurricane Milton hit their home hard, so they ask you to purchase Zubrick Magic Theatre tickets for future shows to help them rebuild. www.zubrickmagic.com
I Love the Burg’s historic tours return with historian Monica Kile. Enjoy in-depth walking and trolley tours that provide history, colorful trivia, and an unrivaled perspective on the city’s development. Sat. walking tours and Sun. trolley tours: https://bit.ly/ilovetheburg
Can’t catch a tour? Explore St. Pete at your own pace using Monica’s new book: St. Petersburg: A Walk Through History, available at local indie Tombolo Books. www.tombolobooks.com
New York state of mind You’ll have to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC to see Miami-based photographer Anastasia Samoylova’s Floridas: Anastasia Samoylova and Walker Evans. The show compares her contemporary visions of Florida with those of quintessential American photographer Walker Evans. https://bit.ly/florida-metro-art
Where dreams come true If you’ve ever wondered why Disney World is in Orlando, travel writer Gary McKechnie explains it all on 11/15 at 7pm at the Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S. in Gulfport www.gulfporthistoricalsociety.org
Walkabout Gulfport the next day, 11/16 from 3-4:30pm, during the Original Gulfport Walking Tour. The tour, which starts at the History Museum, examines the creation of our small seaside hamlet led by locals with a penchant for history and storytelling.
Shopapalooza returns! Shop ‘til you drop during St. Pete’s celebration of our local businesses and vibe 11/30 & 12/1 from 10am-5pm at Vinoy Park. www.shopapaloozafestival.com
Night moves Experience the enchantment of glass blowing after dark during Night Blow: Performance Art Glass Blowing. A fiery kiln, performers’ molten glass creations, and synchronized music choreographed by the evening’s DJ. Appetizers and an open bar are included in your admission. 11/15, 7-9pm, Morean Arts Center. www.moreanartscenter.org/nightblow
Across the universe Paul McCartney plans to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris for its grand reopening in December following restoration from the 2019 fire, and rumors are he might perform as well.