By Caron Schwartz
Another month of wonder Creative Pinellas is thrilled to extend Source of All Hair, Wearer of All Socks by artist Sam Modder through 4/19. This powerful exhibition, inspired by a Black woman’s fairytale, featuring mural-sized ballpoint pen drawings, invites viewers into immersive worlds where Black female figures command space with strength and resilience. On view at The Gallery at Creative Pinellas. https://bit.ly/creative-pinellas-source
Got a creative teen? The Young Creators’ Alliance is an arts workforce development program designed by the Arts Conservatory for Teens to help high schoolers pursue a career in the arts and entertainment industry. Through mentorship, training, and the opportunity to work in professional settings, teens learn the performance and business skills to succeed. Weekly meetings: St. Pete Chapter Weds. 6-8pm, Hillsborough Thurs. 6-8pm. https://bit.ly/youngstpetecreators
Hear her roar during As She Speaks Open Mic Presents: Hear Her Voice National Slam Volume 4. Expect an evening of powerful poetry and spoken word performances by talented women across the US. Make sure to wear your 90’s Throw Back Wear for all 90’s Throw Back music. 3/8, 6-9pm at Shuffl, 2612 N. Tampa St. in Tampa. https://bit.ly/hearhervoice
Speaking about books Shelly Steck Reale is March Featured Artist at Gulfport’s Brenda McMahon Gallery. Her ceramic exhibition, And Still I Rise, explores the voices silenced by Florida’s banned books. Opening 3/7 6-9pm, artist talk 3/20. www.brendamcmahongallery.com
Watch out for strong women St. Pete author L.L. Kirchner is celebrating the release of her second novel, Vegas Girls, a sequel to 2024’s Florida Girls. Kirchner explains that there’s another Thelma book coming this summer – the third in a series she calls The Queenpin Chronicles.
The words must go on Jill Rice’s boutique, Zaiya, was washed away by last fall’s hurricanes. But the Gulfport author of two romance-suspense novels isn’t letting that get her down. Her first LGTBQ+ novel, The Marry Widows Club, will be published by WildBlue Press in April. www.jillricewrites.com
Don’t save the date yet Gulfport Arts & Heritage’s The Most Spectacular Florida Woman (That You’ve Never Heard Of) was rained out (literally) last fall. So Cathy Salustri will speak about Emateloye Estenletkvte, known to many as Polly Parker, and how this Florida Woman’s daring escape and quest to reclaim her home led the Seminole Tribe of Florida as we know it today. Coming soon to the Gulfport Public Library.
Timing is everything Just in time for spring The Florida Orchestra presents Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. The Masterworks concert will include a surprise inside – a short mystery piece chosen by Conductor Michael Francis. Centro Asturiano in Tampa 4/4 8pm, 4/5 8pm at the Mahaffey in St. Pete. www.floridaorchestra.org/event/2425-mw11-vivaldi
Defy gravity when The Florida Orchestra collaborates with Cynthia Erivo. The Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning actor, singer, author and producer is, of course, the Academy Award-nominated star of Wicked. 5/2 at the Mahaffey, 5/3 at Ruth Eckerd Hall. https://bit.ly/tfo-erivo
Fake news Dozens of forged Picassos, Rembrandts, and other artists were seized from a workshop in Rome. Police suspect an art restorer is behind the fakes, which were sold online complete with bogus certificates of authenticity.
Boot, scoot, and boogie at Habitat’s Nashville Nights Gala. Live entertainment, vittles and libations, and stories of hope through homeownership with fellow Habitat supporters. Boots and bolo ties welcome. 4/4 at The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, 6pm VIP, 7pm general admission, 9pm Rodeo Disco After Party. https://bit.ly/habitatgala2025
Social justice tour Join the St. Pete Museum of History and Star Trolley for a two-hour tour that explores the events and venues of the Civil Rights Movement in the Sunshine City, from South Mole Beach and Spa Pool to lunch counter sit-ins and an act of civil disobedience at City Hall. 3/22 and the third or fourth Sat. of every month, 9-11am. https://bit.ly/spmoh-322-trolley
Yo MoM-a The Museum of Motherhood’s (MoM) 20th Annual Academic & Arts MoM Conference features guest artist and keynote speaker Dyana Gravina. This year’s theme is Fun, Sex & Crying Out Loud. 3/14-16 at USF in St. Pete and online. https://bit.ly/momconference2025
Creative Pinellas has awarded $20,000 in 2024-25 Hurricane Relief Grants to 20 artists and 10 nonprofit arts organizations. Individuals who received $500 include writers, painters, sculptors, musicians, photographers, and mixed-media artists. Nonprofits ranging from American Stage Theater and Girls Rock St. Pete to the Blueberry Patch and St. Petersburg Operareceived $1,000. https://bit.ly/hurricane-relief-grants
ALLURE/ing, St. Pete artist Cecelia Luenza’s blue spiral sculpture will be installed in front of Art House, the artsy condo tower under construction in downtown St. Pete.
The iBOM(B)S Creative Pinellas and Woodson African American Museum present iMAGiNE NATiON, a new exhibition by local artist iBOMS. Through graphite, spray paint, resin casting, digital design, and natural elements, Jabari Jahi Babatu Reed-Diop (better known as iBOMS) challenges our understanding of creativity. The Gallery at Creative Pinellas through 5/10. https://bit.ly/iboms-imagine
Wine, wine, wine Join the Dalí Museum for its 12th annual Los Vinos de Dalí, an evening of art, flavor, and philanthropy. Enjoy wines paired with bites from local restaurants surrounded by live music, surreal entertainment, and the iconic masterpieces of Salvador Dalí. Proceeds benefit the Museum’s non-profit mission to offer cultural experiences that educate, inspire, and enrich our community and beyond. 4/26, 7-01pm. https://bit.ly/vinos2025
Voting matters USA Today’s list of nominations for the top 10 US arts districts includes our own Warehouse Arts District. It’s too late to vote, so watch for results. But there’s still time to express your opinion on USA Today’s 10 Best Botanical Gardens. Sunken Gardens and Selby Botanical Gardens are two of your choices, so start voting! Polls close 3/10. https://bit.ly/10-best-arts-districts
Form & function The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete presents Kimono: The Triumph of Japanese Dress. The exhibition is not only visually stunning, it provides a rare opportunity to experience a wide range of these extraordinary pieces of clothing and an ever-evolving art form. 3/8-6/8. https://bit.ly/mfa-kimono
Blue moon K-POP girl group ARTMS brings their Lunar Theory tour to the Mahaffey on 4/8, 7:30pm. https://bit.ly/mahaffey-artms
