I recently visited the Morean Arts Center at 400 Beach Drive, in downtown St Petersburg. It has taken over 5 years to establish this exhibit of permanent works by famed glass artist Dale Chihuly.
 
The incredibly gorgeous collection is displayed in a magnificent 10,000 square foot building designed by award-winning architect Albert Alfonso. It is surrounded by many restaurants, sidewalk cafes, shops, and galleries along the waterfront park. This is the first time a building  was designed specifically for displaying Chihuly’s artwork. The architecture & glass compliment each other beautifully.

 

The outside of the entrance is easily spotted due to the 20 foot red glass sculpture created especially for the site installed on the sidewalk. To me it looks a giant rock sugar stir stick used by some coffee cafes to sweeten their hot drinks. With its perfect lighting, the sculpture is also quite beautiful at night.

No photos are allowed inside the gallery but you may photograph glass & other artwork for sale displayed in the shop.

The “Sunshine City” is also the home to Salvador Dali Museum (the new museum is scheduled to open Jan. 11, 2011) and the newly expanded Museum of Fine Arts. There are also many private art galleries sprinkled along Central Ave & other nearby streets downtown.

Advertisements