Oh, hell yes.
Welcome to Valentwe'en, the newest spring holiday with a horrific component. It's one part Valentine's Day, one part Hallowe'en. Organizers — and of course this is a Tampa Bay-driven event, because we kill it (mostly figuratively) at Halloween — organizers at the SPIRITS of St. Petersburg and Art Lofts tell us the holiday "is heralded by the Grim Cupid." So, when you're thinking about what to wear to the opening reception of the Valentwe'en art exhibit, you and your SO should dress as a couple in keeping with the theme, and while they suggest couples like Audrey and Seymour or Morticia and Gomez, we're thinking more Jason and Freddy or Shaun and Liz or Ichabod and Katrina. This year's art theme is Victorian, though, so maybe Louis and Claudia or Louis and Lestat….
Check out Dr. Paul Bearer's "commercial" for the Feb. 9 Valentwe'en celebration!
And, hey, if you're an artist who has something that fits that Victorian theme, they want your art (details below, but know this: artists keep all the money if they sell the work). In addition, artists can decorate 5-inch wooden coffin Valentwines (no, that's not a typo) — sales of these Valentwines will get split between the artist and event co-hosts, SPIRITS of St. Petersburg. Dr. Paul Bearer will judge the art and award first, second and third place prizes.
Oh, you guys, we love this holiday so much we're coming up with our own tag lines for it: Love is in the air… and it smells like death. Or maybe: Kiss the girl… then run for your life. How about: He gave you his heart… literally.
Valentwe'en | Art Lofts Studio, 10 5th St. N., St. Petersburg | Feb. 2-Mar. 1; opening at Feb. 9 Second Saturday, 5-9 p.m. | Artists, send inquiry or image by Jan. 30 | Brandy Stark for more info or call 727-821-5759.
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This article appears in Jan 3-10, 2019.