April 21, 2025

Five-story expansion planned for Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement in downtown St. Pete

April 21, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, home to the world’s premier collection of art and objects from the American Arts and Crafts movement, is planning an expansion in downtown St. Pete.

The 137,000-square-foot museum at 355 4th Street North will construct a five-story, 11,300-square-foot addition connected to the existing museum, according to plans submitted to the City of St. Petersburg and obtained by St. Pete Rising.

The $10 million expansion, which will serve as added gallery space along the courtyard, has not yet received permit approval, and its design elements are still subject to change.

General contractor Barr & Barr Inc. will build the project, and Tampa-based Alfonso Architects, which also designed the original museum, has been hired to design the expansion.

April 02, 2025

Mainsail Art Festival celebrates 50 years this weekend with 250+ artists and live music

April 02, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

One of St. Petersburg’s premier cultural events, the Mainsail Art Festival, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this weekend, drawing over 100,000 visitors and showcasing the city's diverse creative community and passion for the arts.

The 50th Annual Mainsail Art Festival will take place at Vinoy Park on the St. Petersburg waterfront, running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 5th and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 6th.

Each year, a dedicated team of Mainsail volunteers organizes this free-admission event, welcoming thousands of residents and tourists to explore high-quality artwork, participate in family-friendly activities, and enjoy live music and local food vendors.

This year’s festival will feature its largest lineup ever, with over 250 artists showcasing work across 13 mediums: ceramics, digital art, fiber, glass, graphics, jewelry, metal, mixed media, oil/acrylic painting, photography, sculpture, watercolor, and wood.

January 31, 2025

Local artist to debut new waterfront-inspired sculpture at 42-story Art House condo tower

January 31, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A modern sculpture inspired by St. Pete's waterfront will become a focal point for residents and guests entering the 42-story Art House condominium tower in downtown St. Pete.

South Florida-based developer Kolter Urban, which has developed two other condo projects in downtown St. Pete, has commissioned well-known St. Pete artist and sculptor Cecilia Lueza to create a stunning art piece for the new 244-unit luxury condo tower at 235 1st Avenue South.

“Similar to Art House, ALLURE [the sculpture] was heavily influenced by the beautiful waterfront community we enjoy here in St. Petersburg. My sculptures are about honoring and enriching nature, blending colors, shapes, and the rhythm of the earth to transform the space around us while creating a place where we feel connected,” Lueza said in a prepared statement.

October 14, 2024

The Show Must Go On: Zubrick Magic Theatre asks for community's help to keep the magic alive

October 14, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

The Zubrick Magic Theatre in downtown St. Pete, where magicians Chris and Ryan Zubrick typically perform family-friendly comedy and grand-scale illusions, is temporarily serving a new purpose.

The main stage inside the intimate 90-seat theatre at 1211 1st Avenue North is currently filled with air mattresses and the Zubricks’ personal items - becoming a makeshift sanctuary for the couple and their seven-year-old son, Oliver, until the theatre reopens later this month.

Like many residents in St. Petersburg, the Zubricks' single-family home suffered substantial damage from Hurricane Milton when it made landfall last week near Sarasota as a Category 3 storm.