MUSE will celebrate artistic inspiration on Friday, February 9, 2018, at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, at 7:00 pm. The fifth annual benefit for the arts will recognize the breadth & beauty of art and culture in our City of the Arts, and pay tribute to those that continue to inspire and guide St. Petersburg to its standing as an international arts destination. Proceeds will benefit artists, arts education, and arts & cultural organizations through our Arts Alliance programs and services.
IMAGINE MUSEUM, The newest museum to join St. Petersburg’s passionate art community, Imagine Museum, had it’s grand opening on Tuesday, January 23rd.
Imagine Museum is showcasing the American Studio Glass Movement that began in the 1960s through present day – the first of its kind in the Southeast United States. Imagine Museum visually moves the visitor through the history of the remarkable medium of studio glass art, starting with the early pioneers of Harvey Littleton and Dominic Labino, through the groundbreaking heyday of Dale Chihuly, and up through today’s artists creating this transcendent art.
What makes this medium so unique is that 94 percent of its artists are living and many of them are still creating. Imagine intends to bring many of these artists to St. Petersburg to share their exhilarating stories of how their art is created. Imagine Museum’s permanent collection includes artists and artwork that best represent the history and bravado that set Americans apart from their predecessors. “This movement was quite rebellious against the tradition of crafting beautiful, but rather utilitarian, glass pieces. In true American spirit, the creators of the Studio Glass Art Movement morphed glass into a true art form,” said Joanna Sikes, executive director. “It was the 60s – this was Rock and Roll, not reverent.”
Imagine Museum will be hosting the prestigious International Glass Art Society Conference – bringing significant collectors and glass enthusiasts from around the world to the Tampa Bay region in March 2019.
Located at 1901 Central Avenue, in the Central Arts District of St. Petersburg.
Ticket: $10/children, $15/adults. Museum members always receive free admission.
Tues/ Wed/ Fri & Sat, 10 to 5, Thursday until 8 pm & Sunday, noon to 5:30 pm.
The IM Store features a worldwide collection of stunning handmade jewelry, glass gifts and books.
Exclusive, one-of-a-kind artworks created by artists featured in the museum are also available for
purchase. For more information go to
The 39th Annual 2018 Depression Glass Show & Sale by the Clearwater Depression Glass Club will occur Saturday & Sunday, February 10 & 11, 2018, MinnReg Building, 6340 126th Ave., Largo, 33773. Hours: Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm. The show and sale features national dealers offering for sale American-made art glass, carnival glass, depression glass, elegant glass, pattern glass, china, pottery, dinnerware and kitchenware from the 1880s, the Depression Era and the 1940s, 50s and 60s to the present.
Highlights include: • The most up to date Antique and Collectible reference books available for sale in their “book booth.” • On-Site Glass Repair • Free Glass Identification • Free Parking
Twenty $100 Show Gift Certificates ($2,000) of door prizes will be given away. A snack bar onsite serves breakfast, lunch and light snacks. For more information visit http://
The 3rd annual Gulfport Fine Arts Festival is open to the public on February 17-18,
from 10 AM to 5 PM, with complimentary admission and parking conveniently located within walking distance. Courtesy transportation is also available from remote parking locations throughout the City.The juried art show will feature fine works of art from across the region, including but not limited to; 2D, 3D, Ceramic, Glass, Metal, Mixed Media, Wood, Acrylic, Collage, Oil, Pastel, Ink, Fine Photography, Watercolor, and Fine Jewelry.
The event will take place at city of Gulfport’s Veteran’s Park, one of Gulfport’s most
pristine parks, overlooking Boca Ciega Bay, at 5350 31st Ave. S., Gulfport, FL 33707.
For general event information, follow on www.facebook.com/GulfportFineArtsFestival, go to www.visitgulfportflorida.com
or call 727-322-5217.
2018 Golden Baton Award dinner on Wednesday, February 21, 6 pm – 9 pm at Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club’s Sunset Ballroom, 600 Snell Isle Boulevard NE. The award is given annually by The Florida Orchestra Guild for exceptional service in support of the Orchestra. Monroe and Suzette Berkman will receive the Golden Baton Award at the dinner. Each has had a distinguished career in the Tampa Bay area and each has been deeply involved in giving back to the community, including board service for a variety of community and arts organizations on both sides of the Bay. Together they endow the Orchestra’s Violin Assoc. Concertmaster chair. Diane Fair, president-elect of the Orchestra Guild, and Sheila Tempelmann, former Guild president, are co-chairs.
Gulfport’s Get Rescued is leashed up and ready for its 14th annual event on Saturday,
February 24th. This event has grown faster than your favorite Big Red Dog, with over 45 rescue groups participating and more than 1,000 pets ready to find their “fur-ever” homes with you!
This is the largest pet rescue festival in the state, with groups traveling to our little town of Gulfport from every side of Tampa Bay and beyond. Other pet-related activities include pet care education, a food and supplies drive, animal training demos, contests, our annual Bark-B-Que event, food, music and more. Bring your own critter companion, and join thousands of other visitors in Downtown Gulfport to participate in one of our area’s most beloved traditions. All well-behaved people (and their surely polite pets) are welcome to the daytime event, and it won’t cost a cent to attend! Don’t worry about paying for parking either, as plenty of convenient complimentary parking will be available all around the area. For more information on Gulfport’s Get Rescued, follow on www.facebook.com/GetRescued,
go to VisitGulfportFlorida.com
or call 727-322-5217
St. Petersburg Accessible Murals Tour
The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance believes our city’s murals should be accessible to all.
They chose 40 centrally located works to focus on, spotlighting the Shine St. Petersburg Mural Festival, several special murals, plus two murals commissioned by AARP Tampa Bay.
Following a recent tour of this year’s Shine murals, Rep. Charlie Crist states,
“The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance is putting our community on the map through Shine, highlighting our city as a world-class arts destination and hub of creativity. With this partnership with AARP, an amazing display of local and international talent will be accessible for all to enjoy via a self-guided virtual tour for those miles away or with mobility restrictions. I am proud that my hometown of St. Petersburg continues to promote innovation & inclusion.”
The Accessible Mural Tour program is produced by SPAA with initial funding from AARP Tampa Bay. “As a national champion for livable communities, AARP is proud to support the St. Petersburg Accessible Mural Tour which allows anyone, regardless of age, ability or locale, to experience our city’s vibrant arts community.,” states Michelle Cyr, AARP Florida Associate State Director for Outreach.
The audio portion of the tour provides vivid descriptions of each mural, the artist and its setting. The online guide includes transcriptions of the audio recordings, photos and a map, with notes on accessible parking and mobility barriers.
Jennifer Sabo, Executive Director, VSA Florida writes, “This project is likely to serve as a model for other mural programs around the country. To our knowledge, no other organization in the United States offers mural tours designed for the needs of those with visual, hearing or physical disabilities. VSA Florida has been honored to assist the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance as they develop this much-needed resource and fully supports the Arts Alliance’s leadership in providing access to public art in St. Petersburg with this innovative and creative program.”
These written and recorded tours are now available to everyone – on a home computer, smart phone or any other mobile device. The brochure may also be downloaded at the
St. Petersburg Arts Alliance website: stpeteartsalliance.org/
Gulfport Community Garden will hold its 3rd Annual Dance for Plants Benefit, Friday, March 2nd, 6:30 – 11pm at the Gulfport Casino. Have a blast with
a Carolina Shag dance lesson from 7-8, then dance the night away with WMNF’s DJ Cheryl Mogul ‘s mix of swing, blues, soul, shag and zydeco. Cash bar will be available.
Add on a silent auction, expert gardening advice, plant giveaways and friends for a great evening supporting our local Garden with excess produce donated to the
Gulfport Sr. Center. Advance tickets, $10 / person available at Gulfport Casino. Come dressed to impress in plant – themed costume and receive $2 off $12 door ticket price/person. More info, contact George Zarillo, 845-242-7452.
Arts & Crafts Vendors Wanted for Indian Shores St. Patrick’s Festival, March 17. Interested Vendors – Please fill out the application and send to Indian Shores Town Hall, 19305 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores FL 33785. Visitwww.myindianshores.com
Call with questions (727) 595-4020.
13th Annual Chili Cook-Off! The Grand Central Chili Cook-Off is the district’s longest-running event and serves as a fundraiser for the GCDA, a 501c3 non-profit organization. The event will take place Saturday, March 3, – rain or shine – along the 2400-2500 blocks of Central Avenue and will include the chili competition with over 30 contestants, live music, dozens of vendors and chance drawings.
Tickets: grandcentraldistrict.org.
Tickets: $15/adults & $10/children 12 and under. Advance ticket purchase recommended; If available, tickets at the event for $20 adults/$15 for children.
Chili tasting tickets include samples of all the chili entries, and voting participation in the People’s Choice category.
The chili entries will also be tasted and scored by local celebrity judges, and winners will
be announced at 3:30 pm in multiple categories: Best Restaurant, Best Business/Organization, Best Individual, & People’s Choice.
Beverages available for purchase from vendors & establishments.
Registration: for chili contest entrants is still open, & sponsorship, vendor & volunteer opportunities available. More information, please contact the Grand Central District Association at 727.828.7006 or via email at chilicookoff@
On February 17, 9:00 – 11:00 am in preparation of March 3, Chili Cook-Off volunteers from the Grand Central District and Keep Pinellas Beautiful will conduct a District-wide clean up & landscaping initiative. For more information or to volunteer, visit us on
Facebook/GrandCentralDistrict Association or email: gcda@grandcentraldistrict.org Photo Credit: Tawnee R. Walling.
An impressive new collection of original artwork by EMMY AND GOLDEN GLOBE award-winning actress, Jane Seymour, will be on exhibition & available for acquisition at Chasen Galleries in Sarasota. Meet Ms. Seymour in person during two artist appearances; Friday, March 9 from 6-8 pm and Saturday, March 10, from 1-3 pm. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Jane Seymour and experience her extraordinary art. Works from the extraordinary collection of Fine Art Photography by Sean M. Flynn will be on exhibition and available for acquisition in a “Mother & Son” dual exhibition. Exhibit previews begin March 3.
RSVP requested 941-260 5787 and ellen@chasengalleries.com.Visit www.chasengalleries.com for more info.