A Look Into St. Petersburg, Florida's Surprising Art Scene

The art scene in St. Petersburg, Florida has exploded in recent years, with new museums, galleries and noticeable energy passing through the city's art community. This Gulf Coast destination, served by three international airports (St. Pete-Clearwater, Tampa and Sarasota-Bradenton), makes for a perfect long weekend getaway for art lovers.

Leave your parka at home and explore an array of masterpieces ranging from antiquity to Surrealism.

Whatever the St. Pete art scene becomes, its foundation will always be the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), St. Petersburg. Founded by Margaret Acheson Stuart and opened to the public in 1965, the MFA was the city's first art museum. With a full schedule of world-class exhibits and recent additions to its curatorial staff, the MFA, St. Petersburg has a goal of becoming the leading art museum in the Southeast.

The MFA is an encyclopedic museum-and the only one in Florida. That means its collection offers a complete survey of art history from ancient times to contemporary work. Don't let that broad scope overwhelm you, though. The museum is purposefully divided into numerous, intimate galleries to make the collection easily digestible over the course of a two- or three-hour visit.

A highlight of the MFA collection is this work by Claude Monet, Houses of Parliament: Effect of Fog, London. Painted in 1904, this picture was loaned to the National Gallery of Art in London for an exhibit in 2018.

This is one of two Monet's currently on display in the museum.

You will see plenty of works from well-known American artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Thomas Moran, Willem de Kooning and George Bellows on display. Frequent visits are encouraged as the galleries experience changes every few weeks.

One of many delights for art aficionados among the collection is this bronze by female Impressionist Berthe Morisot. Morisot is best known for her paintings and has produced few sculptures throughout her career.

The model for this piece is her daughter, Julie Manet. Morisot was married to the younger brother of famed French artist Edouard Manet-and she was one of his favorite models.

These figures are an example of the eclectic collection at the MFA, which offers something for everyone, including couples. The museum has been voted as the number one location to hold a wedding reception in Florida by Marthastewartweddings.com. What's more, it can host your ceremony as well. As a bonus, you are allowed time for wedding photos with the artwork!

Floor-to-ceiling sandstone walls create a canyon-like feel in The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art's double height lobby. This statue and water backdrop, along with numerous other larger-than-life-sized statues of Native Americans and Western motifs in the museum's entrance, help visitors forget the palm trees and beaches outside the museum and transport them to the American West.

The James Museum houses a portion of Tom and Mary James' art collection. Tom James is the Chairman Emeritus of St. Pete-based Raymond James Financial, after having previously served as the company's CEO and Chairman of the Board for more than 40 years.

This arresting picture by Earl Biss, approximately five feet by six feet, stops visitors in their tracks. Biss takes you to the northern plains, along with a tribe of Native Americans, as you collectively ride slowly into the Aurora Borealis.

The James Museum contains over 400 works of art, selected from over 3,000 pieces acquired by Tom and Mary James over their 50 years of art collecting. The 88,000 square foot museum includes over 30,000 square feet of gallery space.

Paul Pletka's work, and incomparable draftsmanship apparent in this detail, are featured throughout the museum.

The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art opened in April 2018. The museum's rich collection of statuary, a portion of which can be seen here, rivals its paintings for visitors' attention.

Tom and Mary James focused their collection on living artists, many of whom created in a contemporary style, like John Nieto and Andy Warhol pictured here. As a result, while the museum focuses on the West, it is not dusty or tired. Vivid imagery and bold colors like those seen here are prevalent throughout.

Take a break from the paintings and sculptures and explore the museum's "Jewelry Box," where hand-crafted Native jewelry of the highest caliber, like this men's Concho belt, are sure to amaze. Necklaces, rings, bracelets and more, all purchased over the years by the James', provide visitors a dazzling taste of the galleries and markets of Santa Fe, New Mexico or Tucson, Arizona.

Does this painting make you feel warm or cold? Hopeful or foreboding? Is it contemporary or traditional? Yes to all. Another memorable image from Absaroke (Crow) Earl Biss.

Biss died of a stroke in his painting studio shortly after his 50th birthday. A visit to The James for the two snowy Biss pieces alone makes it worthwhile.

The St. Petersburg art scene is rich in diversity. Antiquities at the MFA, Western art at The James and glass art defying easy description at the Chihuly Collection.

The Chihuly Collection presents a permanent collection of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly's unique artwork. This presentation is unique as it is the first installation of Chihuly art in a building designed specifically for that purpose.

The Chihuly Collection offers a perfect opportunity for art lovers to introduce non-art lovers (and kids) to an untraditional and approachable medium. You simply can't look at these sculptures and not be amazed. They are undeniably beautiful, weird and magical. You don't need a background in art history or theory to appreciate the fantastical colors and shapes seen at the Chihuly Collection.

The smaller size of the museums also allows for a comprehensive visit in well under an hour.

Photos do not do Chihuly's Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier, a detail of which is pictured here, justice. Nor can words. This is a piece that must be seen to be believed-and once seen, will never be forgotten.

What would a forest of glass look like? Exactly like this.

The Chihuly Collection is part of the Morean Arts Center. With roots dating back to 1917 as the Art Club of St. Petersburg, the Morean Arts Center focuses on an innovative, community-oriented approach to art and art education. It strives to connect people with art and to contribute to the economic development of the region.

Glass blowing demonstrations are held at the Morean Arts Center's "Hot Shop" Monday through Saturday at the top of the hour from noon until 4:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. A ticket to the Chihuly Collection provides admission to the glass blowing demonstrations where you'll be close enough to feel the heat from the furnaces.

A visit to the Morean Glass Studio is an opportunity to get behind the scenes and observe resident glass artists creating unique works of art. It's also an opportunity to visit the studio gift shop and pick up a unique and memorable gift for any occasion.

The artwork in St. Petersburg can't be contained indoors. Murals are prevalent throughout the compact Central Arts District, and with the great climate and innumerable street side restaurants, cafes and bars, hours can be comfortably spent eating, drinking and looking at art.

We haven't even mentioned the Dali Museum, the largest collection of the famous Surrealist Salvador Dali's work outside of Europe. Or the galleries. Or the Imagine Museum. Or the soon-to-open Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement.

With so much to see and do in St. Petersburg, this city should be at the top of every art enthusiast's list.