The best arts events happening in Tampa Bay this spring

The spring arts calendar is exploding with events across Tampa, St. Pete, Dunedin, Clearwater, and Gulfport, and the diversity is incredible. There are gallery shows addressing both topical and timeless issues, like addiction, immigration, consumerism, sickness, and recovery from natural disasters. Festivals are celebrating Ybor’s culture, Tampa’s history, zine-making and LGBTQ literature. There are even Valentine’s Day-themed events, miniature art, painting, drawing, sculpture, comedy, Black art, public art, teapots and tin cans.

This spring, the Bay area arts scene invites the community to escape the womb at the Museum of Motherhood in St. Pete, Rock & Roll at FMoPA, celebrate the Year of the Snake in Water Works Park, make love with Gloria Munoz and Tyler Gillespie at Print St. Pete, sit under the spell of the palm tree at the Tampa Museum of Art, and so much more. There are few places in the world where you can see so much art in so little time, so mark your calendars and make the most of what Tampa Bay’s creative community has to offer.

Now open

The Museum of Motherhood’s Escape Womb This educational escape room experience takes players on a journey into being, from conception to birth. Thursday-Saturday, Noon-6 p.m., Sunday, Noon-3 p.m.The Factory St. Petersburg, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg. escapewomb.resova.us

50th Annual International Miniature Art Exhibition It’s art, but smaller. Through Feb. 9. Creative Pinellas.12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo. creativepinellas.org

Faces of Addiction Conceived by artist and woodworker Nick Reale and curated by Liliana Beltran, is at the Dunedin Fine Art Center through Feb. 9. 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org

Teapots and Tin Cans Clearwater artist Fran Failla gets a solo show at the Clearwater Main Library. Recommended for fans of still life oil paintings, public libraries and free admission. Through Feb. 15. 100 N Osceola Ave., Clearwater. @clearwaterarts on Facebook

Lisa Bagley: Hopes + Fears—My Diary of Cancer Through Feb. 15. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg moreanartscenter.org

Audubon’s Birds of America Produced by National Museums Scotland—unfortunately, all remaining Birding on the Bay experiences are sold-out. Through Feb. 16. Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. $12-$22.Children age six and younger and SNAP EBT participants free. mfastpete.org

Land Land Land Explore Afro-Cuban spirituality through the photographs of Cuban-born artist José Ney Milà Espinosa. Through Feb. 19. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. 1630 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. fmopa.org

Eszter Sziksz: Let It Go The Arctic meets Florida in works from Sziksz’s Arctic residency alongside a piece inspired by hurricanes Helene and Milton in this climate change-inspired show. Through Feb. 20. Reception Feb. 20, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. with an artist talk at 6 p.m. Gallery114@HCC Ybor, 1411 E 11th Ave., Ybor City. hccfl.edu/galleries

Source of All Hair, Wearer of All Socks Sam Modder’s latest is at Creative Pinellas through Feb. 23. Look for our interview with Modder earlier in this issue. 12211 Walsingham Rd, Largo. creativepinellas.org

Kaitlin Crockett: Movable Type—For My Younger Self What would you tell your younger self? Through Feb. 23. Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org

Once Upon a Time A showcase of local artists’ takes on fairy tales. Through Feb. 23. Dunedin Fine Art Center. 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org

Exploring the Human Form: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture & Words of Stephen Schatz Curated by Lynn Whitelaw. Through Feb. 23. Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org

Fandom: Celebrating Rock & Roll with Jay Nolan and Davy Alder Through March 2. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. 1630 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. fmopa.org

The X Factor While we’re debating whether LatinX is a good term to use anymore, USF CAM showcases the works of 15 Latin artists. Sometimes, language evolves faster than it takes to plan a big exhibition like this. Through March 8. USF CAM, 3821 USF Holly Dr., Tampa. ira.usf.edu/cam

Burst Gulfport-based fiber artist Akiko Kotani tackles Mother Nature in a colorful, larger-than-life art installation made entirely of satin. In a press release, Amanda Cooper, chief curator at the Morean Arts Center, said, “. ..Kotani’s exuberant installation BURST is a perfect fit for the featured artist space here at the Chihuly Collection. Both Akiko and Dale Chihuly find their inspiration in nature, share a love for vibrant color and form, and delight audiences with their over-the-top installations that defy the parameters of the traditional gallery space. Visitors to the Collection will be amazed by the scope and hand-crafted detail of Akiko’s latest creation.” Through March 8 with an artist talk as part of Cocktails at the Collection on Friday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. $20-$40 (includes two drink tickets). The Chihuly Collection, 720 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org

Skinner and Skinner: Works by Arthur and Joe Skinner Father and son show together for the first time. Through March 27. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org

Ukombozi: Reclaiming Place and Self Empowering artworks from Kenyan-born artist Njeri Kinuthia. Recommended for fans of African textiles and large-scale installations. Through April 17. Gallery221@HCC Dale Mabry, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa. hccfl.edu/galleries

The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art Explores the human condition in three exhibitions—Dignity: The Light Within, Reflections: The Legacy of Frank Rampolla, and X-Ray Vision vs. Invisibility. Through April 27. 600 E Klosterman Rd., Tarpon Springs. leeparattner.org

The Subversive Eye: Surrealist and Experimental Photography from the David Raymond Collection Through May 4. $12-$32. Children 5 and under are free. Dalí Museum, Dalí Blvd, St. Petersburg. thedali.org

TIGLFF Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ+ film festival celebrates 35 years. Jan. 30-Feb. 2. Green Light Cinema. $12 per film or $80 for an all-inclusive festival pass. tiglff.com

February

Florida Strong Opens during the 1st Saturday Artwalk. This won’t be the first time Florida artists have responded to Hurricanes Helene and Milton with art, but it’s not tired yet. We all love Florida art, even when it’s inspired by horrible storms.  Studios at 5663. Feb.1, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 5663 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park. @Studios5663 on Facebook

Chinese New Year Celebration Celebrate the Year of the Snake with the Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans. Listen to traditional music and watch lion and dragon dances while chowing down on authentic cuisine at this free event. Feb. 1, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Water Works Park. 1701 N Highland Ave., Tampa. sacatampabay.org

Make love with Gloria Muñoz and Tyler Gillespie This two-part workshop starts with a love poetry workshop with poets Muñoz and Gillespie on Sat. Feb. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The following week, on Sat. Feb. 8, Kaitlin Crockett of Print St. Pete teaches participants how to print Valentine’s Day cards. $175. Print St. Pete. 4903 8th Ave. S, Gulfport. printstpete.org

Under the Spell of the Palm Tree Opens Feb. 6, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. with a panel discussion featuring several of the Cuban artists whose work is featured in this large exhibition of modern and contemporary Cuban art. $5-$25. Children six & under, college students with ID and SNAP EBT participants free. Tampa Museum of Art. 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. tampamuseum.org

Iamnotsocool Vintage Grand Opening Another vintage store in St. Pete? Why not? Especially since this one’s in Historic Uptown and comes with live music and a special retro night menu from Uptown Eats. Thursday. Feb. 6, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. 689 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, Saint Petersburg. @iamsonotcool on Facebook

Staying In What if the everyday objects that populate our homes were art? Tempus Projects attempts to answer this question with a group exhibition of domestic interiors and housewares featuring artwork by John Byrd, Kyra Connolly, David Kibby, Gigi Lage, Walter Matthews, Lisa McCarthy, Carola Miles, Sam K. Newton, Kaylin Price, Jib Projects, Heather Rosenbach, Gary Schmitt, Andrew Watson and more. Feb. 6-April 10. Artist reception Friday, Feb. 14. Tempus Projects, 1624 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. tempus-projects.com

Edge Beyond his delightful use of the color pink, Tampa artist and USF professor Neil Bender is known for making paintings and collages that explore gender and sexuality. Feb. 6-March 20. Artist reception Fri. Feb. 14. Tempus Projects, 1624 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. tempus-projects.com

Valentwe’en 2025 In its 11th year, this year’s theme is the fiction of H.P Lovecraft and features Darjuxena’s Darksplay Bats & Brews Dance Show, edible chocolate roses and tarot card love readings. During the February ArtWalk on Saturday, Feb. 8. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Artlofts Gallery, 10 5th St. N, St. Petersburg. @theGrimCupid on Facebook

Architecture meets clay at the Morean Center for Clay Ceramic artist Jan Richardson shares a series of mini architectural sculptures inspired by historical New England buildings. Richardson’s made hundreds of these hand-built clay cottages over the past three decades, producing them in limited and numbered editions as Windy Meadows Pottery. The Morean has pieces dating back to 1977. Feb. 8-March 1. Morean Arts Center, 420 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org.

The Gulfport Fine Arts Festival With work by more than 50 artists. Feb. 8-9. Clymer Park, 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport. visitgulfportflorida.com

Heartizaar Hauntizaar and Holizaar organizers host a new spring market. Feb. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg. @StPeteShuffle on Facebook

Alligator Tears: Edgar Gomez Florida writer Tyler Gillespie talks with High-Risk Homosexual author Gomez about his latest book. Described as “a darkly comic memoir-in-essays about the scam of the American Dream and doing whatever it takes to survive in the Sunshine State,” “Alligator Tears” details Gomez’s experience growing up in poverty in Orlando. Feb. 13, 7 p.m. Tombolo Books. 2153 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. tombolobooks.com

ReadOUT! OUT Arts & Culture’s Annual Festival of LGBTQ Literature returns to Gulfport Feb. 14-16 with three days’ worth of panel discussions, LGBTQ+ author readings, book signings, cocktail hours, and evening entertainment. Some of the events, like the author showcases and book signings, are targeted at readers of LGBTQ fiction, whereas others are meant for writers or aspiring writers. Those entering the craft can learn to write better characters, dialog, and love scenes through a series of panels on each day of the festival. Friday night’s “Be My Spicy Valentine,” is sure to be entertaining, as six sapphic romance writers discuss the art of writing love scenes on Valentine’s Day at 6:30 p.m. And for those who don’t feel like reading or writing anything, we recommend the Saturday evening entertainment—an all-new show from comedian Poppy Champlin (7:30 p.m. $30-$40). Feb. 14-16. $10 for a full weekend of panels and readings. Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave S, Gulfport. outartsandculture.org

St. Pete Zine Fest Back with more than 40 artists, zine makers and independent publishers. Feb. 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. West Community Library-SPC -Gibbs campus. 6700 8th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. printstpete.org/spzf

Ya La’ford interprets the American West At the James Museum, of course. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s been covering the brilliant Ya La’ford since 2015 and can’t wait to hear about her travels out west and to see this new body of work. Feb. 15-May 18. $10-$23. Children under six, James Museum Members and SNAP EBT participants free. 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. thejamesmuseum.org

Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin’s Art Harvest Rescheduled and relocated due to last year’s hurricanes. Feb. 16-17. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. 750 San Salvador Dr., Dunedin. clearwater-dunedin.jl.org

iBoms Imagine Nation Presented by the Woodson African American Museum of Florida and Creative Pinellas, opens Thursday, Feb. 20 with an artist-led tour, (5:30 p.m.-6 p.m.) followed by a reception, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Through May 10. Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Rd, Largo. creativepinellas.org

Untamed Explore the connection between nature and human emotion, featuring works by Guillo Pérez III, Gabrielle Pérez, Willy Pérez, Blake Emory and introducing emerging artist Morgan Guinessey. Thurs. Feb. 20, Noon-9 p.m. Marcolina’s Fine Arts Gallery. 1517 E 7th Ave Unit B, Ybor. marcolinas.com

Illustrating the News A showcase of 30 years of artwork by Joe Tonelli, chief news artist at the St. Petersburg Times during the 1960s-1980s. See it during the March 8 ArtWalk. Feb. 22-March 27. Morean Arts Center. 719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org

Valentwe’en Ghost tour of Roser Park This year’s Valentwe’en comes with a ghost tour of the most haunted historic neighborhood in St. Pete. Saturday, Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m. $25. roserparkishaunted.com

HCC Art Galleries’ Now on View Back in Ybor City for its second year. Six artists are participating, bringing four hours of interactive poetry, theater, visual art, and dance to three Ybor City venues: HCC Ybor, Hotel Haya and Kress Contemporary. Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1411 E 11th Ave., Ybor City. hccfl.edu

Fiesta Day Back in Ybor City for its 78th year. The free street festival celebrates the Cuban, Italian, Spanish, Jewish and German immigrants who settled in Ybor City in the late-1800s with a parade of flags, ethnic food and entertainment. Feb. 22, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 7th Ave., Ybor City. members.ybor.org

Pink It Up 16! Ska Bands Against Breast Cancer Horns meet art by Michelle Sawyer and Yhali Ilan. Feb. 22, 7 p.m.-midnight. Crowbar. 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. @danny.smyth.351 on Facebook

Localtopia Celebrate all things local at Localtopia, voted Best Makers Festival in 2023. Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Williams Park, 330 2ns Ave. N, St. Petersburg. @keepsaintpetersburglocal on Facebook

Black Art Gala Nneka Jones, Zulu Painter, Wayward Walls, iBOMS and Painkiller Cam are just a few of the two dozen local artists participating in the Third Annual Black Art Gala. Feb. 23, 7 p.m. $29.75 & up. David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts. 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. blackartgala.splashthat.com

St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District Association celebrates Black History Month with the Count Basie Orchestra The last time the Count Basie Orchestra performed in St. Pete was in 1962, when the King of Swing was still alive and well. Basie passed in Hollywood, Florida in 1984, but the orchestra he formed in 1935 is still on tour, under the leadership of trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, and celebrating its 90th Anniversary this year. On Monday, Feb. 24, the ensemble returns to St. Pete for a special Black History Month celebration featuring a free hands-on workshop for aspiring musicians at 2 p.m., a 6 p.m. panel discussion on the orchestra’s role in the Chitlin’ Circuit, and 7:30 p.m. concert. St.Petersburg College Gibbs Campus Music Center. 6605 8th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $25. WADA Members $20-$35. warehouseartsdistrict.wildapricot.org

March

Studios at 5663 present Pride at the Village Pride meets art in Pinellas Park. March 1, 3 p.m. 5663 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. @diversityartsinc on Facebook

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Bringing more than 250 artists. March 1-2.  to Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N Blvd., Tampa. gasparillaarts.com

St. Pete at Dusk Mize curates another one-day art show. March 6. Green Bench Brewing Co., 1133 Baum Ave. N, St. Petersburg. fb.com/mizegallery

The Underground Book Fair This is your opportunity to hang out with local authors and booksellers at the Jack Kerouac House in St. Pete. Maybe you’ll find your next great read. March 8, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Jack Kerouac House, 5169 10th Ave N., St Petersburg. @WordierThanThou on Facebook

Kimono: The Triumph of Japanese Dress Bringing over 100 kimonos, dating from the late Edo period (1603-1867) through Showa era (1926-1989). March 8-June 8. MFA St. Pete, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. $12-$22. Children age six and younger are free. mfastpete.org

Celebrate the launch of Craig Pittman’s latest collection of Florida essays Pittman discusses “Welcome to Florida: True Tales from America’s Most Interesting State” with fellow local author Paul Wilborn. March 11, 7 p.m. $5. Tombolo Books. 2153 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. TomboloBooks.com

Historic Kenwood’s Tour of the Arts Twenty-nine artists are participating in this popular self-guided artist studio tour. March 15-16. 2550 Dartmouth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. @artistenclavehistorickenwood on Facebook

Gulfport Art in the Yard Gulfport’s city-wide art yard sale returns. March 22. mygulfport.us

Murder She Wrote Pub Crawl A Jessica Fletcher-themed bar crawl with drag performers and a 500-word fan fiction contest? Sign us up. March 22, 3-8 p.m. St. Pete’s Grand Central District. @WordierThanThou on Facebook

Gasparilla International Film Festival Tampa Bay’s largest celebration of independent films returns. March 25-30. Various venues. gasparillafilmfestival.com

April

Mainsail Art Festival Celebrating its golden anniversary, Mainsail returns to the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront for a two-day celebration that welcomes not just visual artists, but culinarians, performers, and kid artists, too. April 5-6. No cover. Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. mainsailart.org—Ray Roa

ArtHouse XXV USF Tampa’s annual visual art extravaganza returns with more student art, open studios, an art history symposium, live music, free food and drink. It’s the biggest event of the year for Tampa’s college art community. April 4, 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Fine Arts Building at University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave. usf.edu/arts

Art in Bloom This annual event challenges professional florists and botanical artists to create bouquets inspired by artwork in the museum’s collections. April 10-13, with an opportunity to speak with the designers on Sun., April 13, 2-4 p.m. $12-$22. Children age six and younger free. Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. stuartsociety.org

Fresh Squeezed Now in its ninth year, once again showcasing another fresh crop of emerging Florida artists. April 12-June 26. Opening reception April 12. Morean Arts Center. 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org

Sunscreen Film Festival A must for aspiring movie-makers, Sunscreen brings another week of workshops and film premieres to St. Pete. April 24-27. sunscreenfilmfestival.com

Spotlight Hurricanes postponed USF Tampa’s inaugural one-day-only festival of design, art and performance. But things are back on schedule for April 25. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Fine Arts Building, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave. usf.edu/arts

Back to the Future Musical “Damn fun” according to The Hollywood Reporter. April 29-May 4. $74 & up. David A. Straz Center for Performing Arts. 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. strazcenter.org

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This article appears in Jan 23-29, 2025.