Shine Mural Festival, a vibrant celebration of art, is set to return to Tampa Bay from October 13 to 22. This eagerly anticipated event will feature the works of international, national, and local artists, adorning the walls and streets of St. Petersburg with their captivating murals. The best part? It’s all available for free.
The festival will showcase a diverse range of themes, including climate change, robots, and ancient monumental forms. One of the highlights is the Shine 2023 Exhibition held at a downtown St. Petersburg center. Here, the muralists participating in the festival will have the opportunity to display and sell their smaller works, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of their artistic practices.
Another must-see event is the Art official Intelligence: The St. Pete Robot Exchange. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, this joyful exhibition by Aurailieus Artist, Zulu Painter, and Jason Bromley brings together metallic mayhem in the form of dazzling robotic pieces. Visitors will be captivated by their unique creations.
For those seeking a more modern artistic experience, Tampa-born artist Ermin Tabakovic’s solo show, Transcending Space, is not to be missed. Featuring his striking modern geometric paintings with clean lines and sharp edges, Tabakovic’s exhibition offers a visually stunning and thought-provoking experience.
If you’re looking for even more opportunities to indulge in the Tampa Bay arts scene, Arts Alive! Free Museum Day on September 23 offers free admission to several St. Petersburg museums, with some restrictions. This is the perfect occasion to explore high-quality artwork while enjoying the museum’s offerings.
Additionally, several other exhibits will be on display throughout the fall season in Tampa Bay. The MMGalleries in Tampa will present a retrospective of New York City-based artist Jill Slaymaker, showcasing her captivating work from 1985 to the present day. Meanwhile, Hillsborough Community College features two exciting shows: Ya La’ford – Henge: Unearthing Ancestral Memory at its Ybor City campus and Touchy/Feely: Form, Function & Contemporary Fiber at its Dale Mabry campus.
Those seeking a more avant-garde experience should visit Tempus Projects in Ybor City. Their upcoming exhibitions include Ab Ovo, Drift, Ten Days in Bodrum, What Did We Use to Say? and Hobby House. Their diverse lineup promises to offer something for every art enthusiast.
In addition, the University of South Florida’s new art incubator, Generator, will open its inaugural exhibition, SUPERFLEX: This Is the Tip of the Iceberg, at Harbor Hall on the USF St. Petersburg campus. This immersive exhibit addresses the pressing issue of climate change, combining art, science, and activism to create a thought-provoking experience.
Last but not least, the Dunedin Fine Art Center in Dunedin will feature five exhibitions under the theme A Toy Story: New and Beloved Favorites. These exhibits range from LOL: Funny Papers incorporating comics and mixed-media collage to Amy Santoferraro: Kowtow Mountain showcasing ceramic works that combine kitsch and craft.
As the fall season approaches, Tampa Bay’s art scene is poised to come alive with an array of free exhibits and interactive experiences. Whether you’re interested in murals, contemporary art, or thought-provoking installations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So mark your calendars and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of art in Tampa Bay.