By Caron Schwartz
Just in time for Halloween
A purportedly authentic late 19th-century vampire-hunting kit sold at auction in England for £16,900 ($20,000). The kit was equipped with all the tools one would need to survive a vampire encounter: brass crucifixes, two matching pistols, a brass powder flask, Holy Water, a Bible, a wooden mallet, a stake, brass candlesticks, rosary beads, and London police paperwork from the era.
Locally, Atelier de Sosi honors this time of year with “Día de los Muertos 3.” Día de los Muertos is a time to honor and celebrate deceased loved ones. The show, which includes a juried exhibition of art and decorated Sugar Skulls, reflects this holiday of life, contemplation, family, food, and fun.
When: Oct. 7 opening celebration, 7-10pm Oct. 8 and Nov. 12 Art Walk, 6-9pm
Where: 2380 Sixth Ave. S in St. Pete, gallery hours Tues.-Fri. 1-5pm
Information: www.atelierdesosi.com
Now on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete: Multiple: Prince Twins Seven-Seven. The new exhibition highlights the visionary work of Prince Twins Seven-Seven (Nigerian, 1944–2011), who was the only surviving child out of seven pairs of twins born to his mother. Because of this, and the associated traditional religious beliefs of the Yorùbá people of Nigeria, he held that he possessed unique spiritual insight and power. See his works before January 15, 2023.
While there check out True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism, which will be on view Nov. 12 through March 26, 2023. This exhibition presents a survey of Auguste Rodin’s best-known sculptures together with works by leading Impressionist painters. True Nature offers a look at Rodin’s life as an artist and the rapidly changing world he lived in, featuring 19th-century European Impressionists Rodin worked and exhibited with including Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, and Pierre Auguste-Renoir.
It’s baaaack!
The SHINE® St. Petersburg Mural Festival returns for its eighth year, Oct. 14-23. The internationally recognized street art festival will bring 17 new murals to St. Pete’s art districts and surrounding neighborhoods illuminating the power of art in public spaces. For artist lineup, map of murals, and additional events check out www.stpeteartsalliance.org/shine-mural-festival.
Need a LiFT?
Recent Gibbs High School graduate, Vyolette Hastings, is St. Petersburg Arts Alliance’s New LiFT Program Awards Emerging Artist. The award is a new initiative from the SPAA to support underserved students in continuing their arts education and professional development after high school. Hastings will receive $1,500 for visual arts courses at The Morean, Dunedin Fine Arts Center, and St Petersburg College. For more information go to www.stpeteartsalliance.org/education/lift.
There’s no business like show business
Here’s a chance to pursue your dreams and see what it’s like to take the stage! American Stage Education invites artists of all levels to elevate, explore and brush up their skills. Classes range from An Actor Prepares through Broadway Bound and Audition Technique. Learn more at www.americanstage.org/education.
The second annual St. Pete Comic Con, January 7-8, 2023 at the Coliseum, will be bigger and better than ever with more celebrity guests and cosplay activities. Last year’s event drew 3,500 attendees and earned positive fan reviews. For more information about last year’s event, please see Florida Cosplay Digital Magazine’s special edition on St. Pete Comic Con 2022 https://bit.ly/3KaKBb.
G. Gordon McFly skates by
If you haven’t yet seen local artist Ray Domingo’s statue of a 14-foot skateboarding gecko in downtown Gulfport, it’s worth the trip. Only in Gulfport.Another Gulfport one-of-a-kind, the Brenda McMahon Gallery at 2901 Beach Blvd. S, is marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Women’s Small Business Month during October. “Women on the Rise – Watch Us Soar!,” which celebrates women in small business and breast cancer warriors, takes place Oct. 7 from 5-9pm during Gulfport’s First Friday Art Walk. Additionally, the gallery’s Artist of the Month, Susan Gott, has created hand-blown glass “pink pumpkins” for Breast Cancer Awareness Month; a portion of sales will be contributed to the Sonia Plotnick Women’s Health Fund.
Shopapalooza Returns!
Shopapalooza 2022, LocalShops1’s holiday shopping event, will feature more than 350 local small businesses, including artists, makers, food trucks, and nonprofits. Don’t miss shopping spree giveaways, beer + wine stations, food halls, White Lounge seating, Pop-Up $1 Bookstore, live entertainment, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus.
When: Thanksgiving Weekend, 10am-5pm, Nov. 26-27
Where: Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Pete
Website: www.ShopapaloozaFestival.com
Finally, an NFT for the rest of us
St. Petersburg resident Elsie Gilmore invites you to participate in her 5000 Hugs interactive art project. 5000 Hugs involves a website (www.5000hugs.com) that sells NFTs in the form of digital hugs, which range from $10 to $25. Buy one, and Gilmore will convert it into a real-life hug at one of her hug appearances. You’ll also get your hug’s unique serial number to register receipt of your actual hug and be part of the project’s history log. The website launched on Aug. 15 and wraps up on Feb. 14, 2023, Gilmore’s 50th birthday.
Gentlepersons, start your engines
In collaboration with the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, OCC Road House & Museum has unveiled an original OCC motorcycle customized by Paul Teutul Sr., entrepreneur, TV celebrity, motorcycle builder, and founder of the world-renowned Orange County Choppers. The one-of-a-kind chopper showcases images of iconic locations around St. Pete/Clearwater and is now on display in the airport’s baggage claim.
Photo League of FMoPA
The Photo League of the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts meets monthly for the purpose of education, inspiration, camaraderie, and photography. The League presents speakers of interest to photographers, photo opportunities, and programs to improve members’ understanding and expertise. The Photo League meets monthly at a pre-established time and date. FREE for FMoPA Members; $10 for Not-Yet Members. Questions? Email: info@fmopa.org
Black Pioneers: Legacy in the American West
The James Museum’s Black Pioneers: Legacy in the American West explores the path of Black history in the West with a timeline of pictorial quilts. These colorful works of art chronicle the arrival of Africans in 1528 through the Civil Rights Movement, bringing to life forgotten stories and lesser-known chapters in our shared history.
Where: The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
When: through Jan. 8, 2023
This year’s Creative Pinellas’s annual fundraiser is a three-day celebration with the theme of “Navigating the Arts.” From Thursday, Nov. 10, through Saturday, Nov. 12, guests will experience music, theatre, dance, films, visual art, and participatory experiences as they enjoy a sampling of the best of the Arts Coast. For more information including schedule and tickets (VIP $250, general public $25), see online at www.creativepinellas.org/event/arts-annual-2022.
freeFall Theater American Character Series
This fall, freeFall continues their American Character Series with All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “We felt this was such a great way to open our fall season,” says freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis. “It’s also exciting for our company to collaborate with Tony Award winner Rupert Holmes on a world premiere play highlighting an icon like the notorious RBG.” Showing Oct. 5-23 before transferring to the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, NY as part of their Literature Alive Series.