James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
St. Petersburg’s newest museum, the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, opened its doors with a soft opening on Saturday, April 7th. Tom and Mary James purchased the 134,000 square foot building at 150 Central Avenue in 2015.
The museum holds over 400 pieces on view in 80,000 square feet of transformative space. Additional space will house businesses including Datz restaurant, Woodhouse Day Spa and Club Pilates. “I wanted to have a museum that tells the story of the West,” said James, 75, chairman emeritus of financial giant Raymond James. The Grand Opening celebration was April 29th with a weekend of festivities, including Native American dancers, artist talks, live music, and create & take workshops for kids. 150 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, 727-892-4200
Contact: info@thejamesmuseum.org https://thejamesmuseum.org/
Florida CraftArt
“Dia de los Muertos – A Celebration of Life”
Opened April 6th at Florida CraftArt featuring 42 artists working with a variety of media including mixed, ceramic, wood, glass, fiber, and metal to a crowd of 400 spectators. Sponsored by AARP Tampa Bay, the show celebrates the life of Coralie Graham and will run until May 29th.
Invited artists from the United States, Canada and Australia decorated 160 sugar skull-shaped wood plaques to raise funds for children’s’ programs at Florida CraftArt. Forty-five percent of the proceeds will go directly to programs and many of the artists also donated their commissions. Florida CraftArt documents the sugar skulls in a 170-page book on sale at the gallery and online at www.FloridaCraftart.org
WINNERS: Dirk Armstrong, Assistant Curator for the Dali Museum judged the event and presented the awards. Pamela Trow (St Petersburg) won Best of Show for her wall hanging, “Death of Venus.” Jessica Perez Bianciotto (Tampa) won First Place for “Angelito.” Brianna Galmiche (Pinellas Park) Second Place for her ink drawing “Skull.” Ceramic artist Calan Ree (St Petersburg)
Third Place for “Memento Mori Death Rattle.” Honorable Mentions: Coralette Licorice Chalk Damme (St Petersburg)-linoleum cut “Humilis” and Jennifer Kosharek (St Petersburg)—embroidery entitled “Half Dead.” Awarded by Mark Noll, Exhibition curator, Curator’s Choice went to Carolina Cleere (St Petersburg) for “Frida’s Child,” a large mixed-media mobile. Exhibition programming schedule (free of charge unless indicated):
- Saturday, April 28th, 1 PM – 3 PM: Keep St Pete Lit writing workshop. $20.
- Saturday, May 5th, 2 PM: Lecture by Kent Lydecker, retired director of MFA, St Pete. “Death, Be Not Proud: Art and Memory Across the Ages.”
- Saturday, May 12th, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Workshop: Paint a flower on a wine glass Supplies provided. $30.
- Friday, May 18th, 5:30 PM – 7 PM: AARP-sponsors Armed Forces Day
- Sunday, May 20th, 2 PM – 4 PM: Writers interpret Dia de los Muertos Art. Keep St Pete Lit. $15.
- Saturday, May 26th, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Closing reception & People’s Choice Award.
Florida CraftArt is a nonprofit founded in 1951. 501 Central Avenue in St Petersburg. Visit www.FloridaCraftArt.org or call 727-821-7391. Free Admission. Monday – Saturday, 10 AM – 5:30 PM. Sunday, noon – 5 PM.
Morean Art Center
May 12th – June 23rd– Leslie Neumann: Manna from Heaven…and Earth
In her third solo show at the Morean, artist and environmental activist, Leslie Neumann presents a brand new body of work which focuses on the beauty of nature vs. our troubling current events.
Water Over the Bridge: Contemporary Seascapes
This exhibition features the works of artists whose work reflects the effects of global warming on our oceans. from New York City metro area, as well as Tampa Bay, chosen by. NYC independent curator D. Dominick Lombardi creating a provocative, cross-country dialog.
The Florida Holocaust Museum
Hosts Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution August 2018 – February 2019. This exhibition explores the extraordinary life of renowned music promoter, Bill Graham (1931- 1991) who helped launch and promote the careers of countless rock & roll artists. Graham had the indomitable spirit of a man brought to the United States as an eleven-year-old Jewish refugee fleeing the Nazis, fueling a lifelong passion and advocacy for social justice.
Named one of the best museum shows of 2017 by the Chicago Tribune, The FHM is proud to present this iconic exhibition, organized and circulated by the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, in association with the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, and made possible by the support of Alex Graham, David Graham, and Danny Scher. The public will also be able to view, for the first time in more than forty years the original apple barrel that greeted attendees with fresh apples at the entrance to the Fillmore Auditorium. August 18, 2018 through February 10, 2019 at The Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 5th Street S, St Petersburg.
Opera Tampa
The 2018 – 2019 season includes the work of Strauss, Bizet, Puccini, and Opera Tampa’s own Anton Coppola.
- Johann Strauss II’s DIE FLEDERMAUS, “The Bat”. Friday, Nov 30th, 8 PM and Sunday, Dec 2nd, 2 PM, in Morsani Hall. Conductor, Joseph Mechavich will lead an international cast along with the Opera Tampa Orchestra and Chorus.
- Anton Coppola’s, LADY SWANWHITE. Saturday, Feb 9, 2019 at 7 PM, in Ferguson Hall.
- Georges Bizet’s, THE PEARL FISHERS. Friday, March 15, 2019, 8 PM and Sunday, March 17, 2019, at 2 PM, in Ferguson Hall. Jorge Parodi will lead an international cast along with the Opera Tampa Orchestra and Chorus.
- Giacomo Puccini’s, LA BOHÈME. Friday, April 26, 8 PM and Sunday, April 28, 2019, at 2 PM, in Morsani Hall. Anthony Barrese, artistic director and conductor of Opera Southwest will lead an international cast along with the Opera Tampa Orchestra and Chorus. Ticket Sales Office 813-229-STAR (7827) or 800-955-1045 or www.operatampa.org
Eckerd College
April & May 2018 Events Calendar
Eckerd College, 4200 54th Avenue South in St. Petersburg, offers activities and programs on campus, as a service to the community, free and open to the public, unless otherwise stated. More information, events@eckerd.edu, visit eckerd.edu/events or 727-864-7979. To see all International Cinema Series at Eckerd College offerings, www.eckerd.edu/international-cinema
A Plastic Ocean
Monday, May 7th, 7 PM, Sheen Auditorium, ES100
This award-winning adventure documentary follows journalist, Craig Leeson on his quest to discover the impacts of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. Sponsored by the Marine Science Club.
William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
Friday, May 25th, 1:30 PM, Dan and Mary Miller Auditorium
A new twist on Shakespeare’s classic comedy of mistaken identity, where music is the food of love, and nobody is quite what he or she seems, anything proves possible. Simon Godwin directs this joyous new production.
Eckerd Review, Visual Art Exhibition
May 7th – 11th, Cobb Gallery, Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 am–5 pm.
Gulfport
The daytime walk season is over for 2018Moving to Thursday evenings to avoid the summer heat. The tour is free if you belong to the Gulfport Historical Society (GHS) or Preserve the Burg (PTB.) You can join GHS here and get the free tour and membership gifts on the day of the tour. You may also buy tickets ($10.00 for non-members) at the Gulfport Beach Bazaar. Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave S. Call or text 727-656-5420.
Gulfport History needed: Any one that has information on the steamer Mary Disston (that caught fire and sank to the bottom of Boca Ciega Bay) is asked to please contact The Gulfport History Museum. There was even a plaque on the William’s Pier for a while honoring this memory. Tell us what you know. 727-327-0505
Gulfport Beach Bazaar stocks everything from a magnet for your car, a Gulfport Starter Kit, or a book to read. We have it all, but we continue to need more volunteers to staff the museum seven days a week. You can still shop the Square Mullet Gift Shop at the Gulfport Beach Bazaar. Members, please note, your discount can only be honored at the museum location.
Preserve The ‘Burg (PTB) FREE May Movies in the Park—Thursday evenings in May. Start with live local music at 7 PM followed by the movie on the big outdoor screen at dusk at North Straub Park, between 4th Ave and 5th Ave NE, on Beach Drive. Moviegoers can come early, enjoy live music, and a picnic either brought or purchased from vendors set up on-site. FREE bicycle valet parking provided by Coast Bike Share during the movies. Proceeds from beer sales at this free event will be donated to PTB. (This year’s poster artist is St Pete’s own Laura Spencer.) https://preservetheburg.org
SCHEDULE OF MOVIES & MUSIC
May 3 – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) – It was Spencer Tracey’s last film. The movie, offering a timeless story, also stars Sidney Poitier & Katharine Hepburn. Evening’s music: Dead Set – Florida, A “deadicated” group of musicians performing the music of the Grateful Dead.
May 10 – My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) rated PG –A love story that will keep you laughing! Evening’s music: Cottondale Swamp – Original Florida swamp rock with authentic country sensibilities and a heart of rock ‘n roll.
May 17 – Father of the Bride (1991) rated PG – A fun night with Steve Martin, Martin Short & Diane Keaton on the screen! Evening’s music: Talk to Mark – Power guitars, impassioned vocals, and pop songwriting mixed into a straight-ahead rock style all their own.
May 24 – Back to the Future (1985) rated PG –Time travel at its best, starring Michael J. Fox and Lea Thompson. Evening’s music: Sunset Bridge Band – Alternative Pop-Folk Fusion quartet led by Gracie Grieshop on vocals.
May 31 – Batman (1989) rated PG13 – Starring Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson & Kim Basinger – A must see movie evening! Evening’s music: The Sad Clowns – The combined talents of prominent St. Pete muscians Geri-X, Jeremy Thomas, and Jason Frilot.
St. Petersburg Museum of History
“American Soldier” A Photgraphic Tribute, storms back, now showing at the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Imagine these sample images and many more lifesize. While downtown, check out the new history mural on the back of the museum. St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, Hours: Sunday 12–5PM, Monday-Saturday 10AM–5PM, (727) 894-1052 www.spmoh.com