BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg - ECPv6.15.19//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://mfastpete.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20250929T184804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T193543Z
UID:10000507-1771524000-1771531200@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:[SOLD OUT] Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Body + Perception
DESCRIPTION:Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Body + Perception\n\nIn conjunction with In Caravaggio’s Light: Baroque Masterpieces from the Fondazione Roberto Longhi\, the MFA introduces the Baroque + Bottle Book Club\, a dynamic literary series that pairs contemporary fiction with the timeless themes of the Baroque.  \nPresented in partnership with Book + Bottle\, St. Pete’s beloved independent bookstore and wine bar\, each gathering invites readers to dive into contemporary novels that echo the emotional intensity\, moral tension\, and timeless questions embedded in the Baroque movement. With expertly paired wines\, lively\, guided conversations\, and exclusive in-gallery experiences\, this series creates unexpected connections between the masterpieces on view and the pressing issues of today.   \nBaroque painters depicted the human body with unflinching honesty\, portraying figures who were wounded\, sensual\, aged\, and ecstatic. Sacred subjects were radically humanized for the first time in Western art\, as Caravaggio and other Baroque artists emphasized the reality of dirty feet\, lined faces\, and visible scars.   \nThis session turns to Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties\, to explore how contemporary literature examines how physical form is perceived\, regulated\, stigmatized\, and celebrated. This daring collection of stories shatters genre boundaries while mapping the realities of women’s lives and the critical eye society places on their bodies. From eerie horror to dark comedy\, Machado’s tales bend psychological realism\, science fiction\, and fabulism into narratives that are simultaneously unsettling\, provocative\, and deeply human.   \nWhat to Expect: \n\n6:00–6:30 pm — Arrivals: grab a glass of wine and ease in with thought-starter prompts and casual conversation.\n6:30–7:30 pm — Guided discussion led by Book + Bottle\, exploring the book’s themes and connections to the Baroque.\n7:30–8:00 pm — Gallery spotlight with MFA curators and educators: a focused look at a work from In Caravaggio’s Light to bring the conversation full circle.\n\n\n\nBaroque + Bottle Book Club | Body + Perception \nThursday\, February 19\, 2026\n6:00 PM–8:00 PM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \n$25 for Members; $35 for Not-Yet-Members.  \nTickets include program and 1 glass of wine. Additional wine available for purchase. A limited number of copies are available at the MFA Shop and at Book + Bottle! Get 10% off the next book on the night of each book club! \nORDER BOOK\n\n  \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nAbout Book + Bottle\n \nBook + Bottle is a bottle shop\, an independent bookstore\, a coffee café\, and a wine bar all rolled into one exquisite little package. They have the most passionate\, friendly\, and helpful team in town to help you choose a book or a bottle or to take care of you and your friends on your night off. \nThey’re an independent\, woman-owned\, values-driven\, sustainably run\, local-first business that believes little kindnesses can make our community—and the world—a better place. \nAbout Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body And Other Parties\n \nHer Body and Other Parties (2017) is Carmen Maria Machado’s debut story collection\, blending horror\, fabulism\, and realist tones into eerie\, darkly witty tales about the body\, desire\, queerness\, and the narratives society imposes on women. Across these genre-bending pieces\, Machado pushes myths and pop culture into strange\, luminous territory—provocative\, unsettling\, and fiercely inventive—without tipping any endings. \nSee ALL Baroque + Bottle Book Club Dates and Times: \n\n\n\nNovember 20\, 2025 @ 6 pm: Representation + Marginalization\nDecember 18\, 2025 @ 6 pm: Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Women + Exclusion \nJanuary 15 @ 6 pm: Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Fragility + Faith\nFebruary 19 @ 6 pm: Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Body + Perception\nMarch 19 @ 6 pm: Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Sacred + Secular\n\n\n\n\nImages: \nJusepe de Ribera\, St. Thomas (detail)\, c. 1612\, Oil on canvas\, Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi\, Florence\, Italy \nIn Caravaggio’s Light: Baroque Masterpieces from the Fondazione Roberto Longhi is organized by Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi and Civita Mostre e Musei.
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/baroque-bottle-book-club-2-19-26/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Baroque-Bottle-February-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260222T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260222T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20251125T021855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T021855Z
UID:10000547-1771774200-1771786800@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Art & Nature Sunset Tours with the MFA & Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
DESCRIPTION:Spend your Sunday immersed in art and nature! This unique program invites visitors to embark on a journey that celebrates the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and the role it plays in sparking human creativity. Begin the afternoon at the MFA with a guided docent tour of the collection galleries\, looking closely at artworks from throughout history and across the globe that were inspired by nature. From majestic landscapes to delicate still lifes to ancient sculptures\, each artwork highlights the deep connection between artists and the natural world. \nThe experience continues at the St. Pete Pier\, where you’ll board a sunset cruise with Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center’s expert marine science educators. Enjoy guided wildlife watching\, a visit to a local bird sanctuary\, learning about our area’s history\, and the beautiful scenery as the sky changes colors over the downtown skyline. There will be optional opportunities to get creative\, with all supplies provided\, and you’re encouraged to express your inspiration from the experience. \nThis partnership highlights how each of us contributes to protecting Tampa Bay and the environment as a whole. By showcasing the artistic and ecological importance of our region\, we aim to inspire a greater appreciation for nature’s beauty and encourage a lasting commitment to its preservation for future generations. \nArt & Nature Sunset Tours with the MFA & Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center\nSunday\, February 22\, 2026\n3:30 PM–7:00 PM\n$45 ($5 MFA Member discount offered)\nChildren under 3 free \nTour includes admission to the MFA and TBWDC\nArt & Nature Docent-Led Tour begins at the MFA at 3:30 pm\nSunset Tour with Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center begins at 6:00 pm \nTICKETS \n 
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/art-and-nature-tour-2-22-26/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Youth and Family Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ArtNature.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260226T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260226T193000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260209T020521Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T022623Z
UID:10000582-1772127000-1772134200@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:[SOLD OUT] Writer’s Workshop | Dream Residue: Ekphrasis in the Real World
DESCRIPTION:The Museum of Fine Arts\, in partnership with poet Ariana Kija Matondo\, is excited to launch a three-part poetry workshop series focused on ekphrastic poetry—the art of writing descriptive and imaginative poetry inspired by visual art. The first workshop invites participants to gently explore the subconscious through close observation\, with an emphasis on dreamscapes\, junk journaling\, and transforming ephemera and collected memorabilia into personal talismans. \nExpect intimate walks through the galleries\, quiet moments of reflection\, and opportunities to examine personal memory through the practice of attentive looking. No prior poetry experience is required\, and all ages are welcome—just bring a journal and an open mind to experience visual art in a new way. \nWriter’s Workshop | Dream Residue: Ekphrasis in the Real World\nOpen to all ages\nThursday\, February 26\, 2026\n5:30 PM–7:30 PM\nMary Alice McClendon Conservatory\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nFree for MFA Members; $16 for Not-Yet-Members (Youth 17 and under are Free!) \nREGISTER \nThe workshop is included with Art After Dark admission\, so participants can enjoy the program and explore the museum after hours for the same ticket price. \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nABOUT ARIANA KIJA MATONDO \n \nAriana Matondo (they/she) is a queer\, disabled Tanzanian-American poet\, editor\, and teacher based in Tampa\, Florida. They are the winner of the Zora Neale Hurston Award for Poetry (2025) and were previously named a finalist for the Disquiet Prize for Poetry (2025). Their honors also include the Sundress Publications Fellowship (2025)\, Vermont Studio Center Fellowship (2024)\, Light for Public Health Poetry Prize (2024)\, and the Bettye Newman Poetry Prize (2024–2025). Ariana’s work has been published and is forthcoming in Light Magazine\, Honey Literary Magazine\, The Common\, and others. They serve as Poetry Editor for Creation Magazine and CM Editorial House and are currently pursuing an MFA in Poetry at the University of South Florida. Learn more at arianakijamatondo.com. \n\nEXPLORE ALL UPCOMING WRITER’S WORKSHOP SERIES EVENTS \nWriter’s Workshop | Dream Residue: Ekphrasis in the Real World\nThursday\, February 26\, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM \nWriter’s Workshop | The Alive Poets Society: Poetry and Ancient Art\nThursday\, March 26\, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM \nWriter’s Workshop | The Garden of Your Mind\nThursday\, April 30\, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/writers-workshop-2-26-26/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Art After Dark,FREE for MFA Members,Reduced Admission,Youth and Family Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Writers-Workshop.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260313T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260313T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20250929T203259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260312T184342Z
UID:10000512-1773428400-1773439200@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:After Hours (21+) | In Caravaggio’s Light
DESCRIPTION:On Friday the 13th\, step into the shadows and experience the dramatic world of Caravaggio. This adults-only evening brings together art\, music\, fashion\, flavor\, and flair\, immersing guests in the spectacle of the Baroque. \nDress to impress and explore the museum after hours—sip lavish cocktails (cash bar)\, create your own Baroque-inspired art moments\, and move through a soundscape that fuses classical grandeur with modern beats from In Between Days Vinyl DJ and in-house musical Curator DJ Sein\, all while striking your own dramatic pose… or two. \nHeighten the experience with an exclusive sommelier-led wine tasting from Book + Bottle\, hosted in the MFA’s Membership Garden\, featuring a curated selection of bold\, expressive wines worthy of the Baroque\, with DJ Brian Schanck setting the mood with atmospheric tunes. \nThe night comes alive with dynamic visuals from oil painter Whitney Paige\, whose live painting is sure to stop guests in their tracks\, and a one-night-only floral installation by Nancy Steinbuechler of the Garden Club of St. Petersburg. With inventive experiences and unforgettable energy\, this is a night you won’t want to miss. \n  \nAfter Hours (21+)\nIn Caravaggio’s Light \nFriday\, March 13\, 2026\n7:00 PM–10:00 PM\nMary Alice McClendon Conservatory\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nGENERAL ADMISSION: $65 Members; $75 Not-Yet-Members  \n\n*Each ticket includes event access\, one signature cocktail\, light bites. \nEVENT TICKETS \nSommelier-Led Wine Experience with Book + Bottle\nTickets are limited! Only a few spots remain for the 9:25 PM time slot. \nWINE TASTING TICKETS \n  \nAfter Hours (21+) | In Caravaggio’s Light is Sponsored By: \n \n\nMFA Members Get More!\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers\, including discounted tickets for this event!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nFEATURING \nBOOK + BOTTLE \n \nBook + Bottle is a bottle shop\, an independent bookstore\, a coffee café\, and a wine bar all rolled into one exquisite little package. They have the most passionate\, friendly\, and helpful team in town to help you choose a book or a bottle or to take care of you and your friends on your night off. \nThey’re an independent\, woman-owned\, values-driven\, sustainably run\, local-first business that believes little kindnesses can make our community—and the world—a better place. \nDJ SEIN \n \nThe local DJ is known for setting the mood and spinning through his vinyl collection. As the resident DJ for In Between Days\, he’s brought music to the community whether it be jazz\, disco\, dance\, experimental\, or funk rock. DJ Sein came up in Atlanta’s underground in the mid-nineties and is lauded for his unique collection of 10\,000+ records. As the in-house musical curator\, he’s been filling their shelves with some of his favorites from the last 30 years. \nWHITNEY PAIGE \n \nWhitney Paige is a figurative oil painter and muralist based in St. Petersburg\, Florida. She began her career in Miami as a live art instructor\, later moving to Appalachia\, where she exhibited her work with a variety of galleries—including a pop-up solo show at The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts. Her work explores the depths of womanhood and seeks to redefine femininity from an authentic female perspective. Her oil paintings are held in private collections around the world. Whitney now works out of her studio at Artmosphere\, where she co-hosts workshops and critiques\, and regularly participates in exhibitions and open studios. \nNANCY STEINBUECHLER \n  \nNancy joined the Garden Club of St. Petersburg in 2013.  She began floral design studies in 2022 and has developed a passion for expressing art through flowers. Nancy has participated in Art in Bloom since 2023. Her design In Caravaggio’s Light was admittedly her most challenging yet gratifying creations. \nABOUT BRIAN SCHANCK \n \nBrian Schanck brings over two decades of musical experience to the turntables as an all-vinyl DJ. A lifelong bassist who has performed with various bands over the past 20+ years and currently plays with Soft Cuff\, Brian has been curating his record collection since his teenage years\, developing a deep appreciation for the art of vinyl. \nWhat sets Brian apart is his exceptional ability to read a room and craft the perfect sonic journey for any crowd. Drawing from an extensive collection that spans funk\, soul\, disco\, psych rock\, hip-hop\, indie\, jazz\, and beyond\, he creates memorable experiences that connect with audiences on a visceral level. His musician’s ear combined with years of live performance experience allows him to seamlessly blend genres and eras\, ensuring every set tells a unique story. \nWhether setting the mood for an intimate gathering or keeping the dance floor moving at a packed venue\, Brian’s passion for vinyl and intuitive understanding of crowd dynamics make him a sought-after selector who delivers unforgettable musical experiences. \n\nIn Caravaggio’s Light: Baroque Masterpieces from the Fondazione Roberto Longhi is organized by Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi and Civita Mostre e Musei. \n \nImages: \nBrian Schanck image by Shadow. \n 
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/after-hours-21-in-caravaggios-light/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AH-Caravaggio.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260314T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260314T100000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260227T213700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T202518Z
UID:10000588-1773478800-1773482400@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Caravaggio In a Different Light | Curator-Led Black Light Tour
DESCRIPTION:An Exclusive Curator-Led Black Light Tour of the Baroque\n\nEvery painting tells two stories: the one the artist intended\, and the one the centuries have left behind… \nAs the acclaimed exhibition In Caravaggio’s Light enters its final days before closing on March 22\, we invite you to a rare\, before-hours investigation of the Baroque. Join Dr. Stanton Thomas\, Hazel and William Hough Chief Curator\, on the morning of March 14 for an exclusive forensic encounter with the collection\, using specialized ultraviolet light (black light) to reveal the hidden history of these 400-year-old masterpieces. \nWhile the naked eye sees only the finished brilliance of the era\, this technical tour allows you to “read” the canvases like a conservator. By comparing works that bear the inevitable scars and repairs of the centuries against the miraculous\, untouched purity of our central Caravaggio\, you will discover the secrets that modern conservation usually keeps hidden. \nTo maintain an intimate atmosphere and ensure clear sightlines for the UV demonstrations\, this special engagement is strictly limited to only 15 participants. Your ticket provides private access to the galleries before they open to the public\, offering a quiet\, scholarly environment to engage directly with the Curator. Following the tour\, guests are invited to remain in the museum for the day to enjoy the full exhibition one last time. Registration is $65 for not-yet-members and $55 for members\, inclusive of full museum admission. \n\n\nCaravaggio in a Different Light\nCurator-Led Black Light Tour \nSaturday\, March 14\, 2026\n9:00 AM–10:00 AM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \n$55 for MFA Members; $65 for Not-Yet-Members. \nSOLD OUT! \nTICKETS \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. \nBECOME A MEMBER
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/caravaggio-in-a-different-light/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event,Tour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Caravaggio-in-a-Different-Light-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260315T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260315T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20251119T021242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T033207Z
UID:10000545-1773583200-1773586800@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Language Tour Series | Spanish-Speaking Tour with Richard Perea
DESCRIPTION:Español: Por favor únete a nosotros en el Museo de las Bellas Artes (MFA)\, St. Petersburg cada tercer domingo a las 2 p.m. para nuestra nueva serie de Giras de Idiomas! Cada mes\, un docente del MFA liderará un recorrido en un idioma distinto del inglés\, ofreciendo una oportunidad excepcional para disfrutar la vasta colección de arte del museo. Ya sea que hables el idioma con fluidez\, quieras practicar tus habilidades\, o estés buscando una forma ingeniosa de comenzar a aprender\, estos recorridos por el museo son una excelente manera de conectarte con otros a través del arte y la cultura. \nEstas visitas guiadas públicas son gratuitas con la entrada\, pero se recomienda registrarse en antemano para saber cuántos participantes esperar. ¡Las plazas son limitadas! ¡Inscríbase hoy! \n¿No puedes asistir esta fecha\, pero te interesa reservar una visita guiada en un idioma distinto del inglés? El MFA ofrece actualmente visitas guiadas en ruso\, español\, portugués y alemán. Para más información\, escríbenos a tours@mfastpete.org. \nEnglish: Join us every third Sunday at 2 pm for the MFA’s Language Tour Series! Each month\, an MFA Docent will guide a tour in a language other than English\, offering visitors a fresh and immersive way to explore the museum’s collection. Whether you’re fluent\, practicing your language skills\, or just beginning your journey\, these tours offer a welcoming space to connect through art and culture. \nDocent-led Language Tours are free with museum admission\, but advance registration is recommended so our docents can plan for group size. Space is limited—reserve your spot today! \nInterested in a tour but can’t attend on this date? The MFA also offers docent-led tours in Russian\, Spanish\, Portuguese\, and German by request. Email us at tours@mfastpete.org to learn more. \n\n\n\nLanguage Tour Series | Spanish-Speaking Tour with Richard Perea \nSunday\, March 15\, 2026\n2:00 PM–3:00 PM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nFREE for MFA Members; Included with the cost of admission for Not-Yet Members\nRegistration required. \nREGISTER \nCheck out the full Language Tour schedule here to find upcoming tours in your preferred language. \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nABOUT RICHARD PEREA/SOBRE RICHARD PEREA \n\n\nEnglish: Richard Perea has been a Docent at the MFA of St. Petersburg since May\, 2022 specializing in tours that focus on the Classical period\, and European and American art of the early-twentieth century. His professional background includes working for major banks in Colombia and Mexico. Richard is from California with degrees in Public Affairs from the University of California and Princeton University. Richard lives in Downtown St. Petersburg with his wife Diana. \n\n\nEspañol: Richard Perea ha sido un Docente en el Museo de Bellas Artes de St. Petersburg desde mayo de 2022\, especializando en recorridos centrados en el período clásico y el arte europeo y americano de principios del siglo XX. Su experiencia profesional incluye trabajando en Colombia y Mexico con bancos internacionales. Richard es de California con titulos universitarios en asuntos publicos de la Universidad de California\, y Princeton. Richard vive en el centro de St. Petersburg con su esposa Diana.
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/spanish-speaking-tour-with-richard-perea-2-15-26/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,FREE for MFA Members
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Speaking-Tour_Richard-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260318T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260318T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260221T020037Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T161234Z
UID:10000585-1773856800-1773860400@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:An Evening with Art Collector Dennis Scholl and Klaudio Rodriguez
DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Art Collector Dennis Scholl in conversation with Klaudio Rodriguez.\n\nJoin the Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg for a special evening with renowned arts patron\, award-winning filmmaker\, collector\, and cultural advocate Dennis Scholl\, in conversation with MFA Executive Director and CEO Klaudio Rodriguez. \nTogether\, they will explore the evolving role of collectors\, philanthropy\, and civic leadership in shaping vibrant cultural institutions and communities. The conversation will offer personal insight into Scholl’s long-standing commitment to the arts\, as well as the MFA’s vision for the future. \nAn engaging and thoughtful evening for anyone interested in art\, collecting\, and the power of cultural stewardship. \n\n\nAn Evening with Art Collector Dennis Scholl \nWednesday\, March 18\, 2026\n6:00 PM–7:00 PM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \n$15 for MFA Members; $35 for Not-Yet-Members. \nTICKETS \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nABOUT DENNIS SCHOLL \nDennis Scholl is an American arts patron\, collector\, award-winning documentary filmmaker\, and cultural leader known for his work supporting contemporary artists and expanding public engagement with the arts. \nScholl served as President and CEO of Oolite Arts in Miami Beach\, where he led one of the country’s most respected artist residency and support programs\, providing residencies\, studio space\, grants\, and professional development opportunities for emerging and mid-career artists. \nPreviously\, he was Vice President for the Arts at the Knight Foundation\, where he directed major national initiatives supporting cultural institutions\, artists\, and innovative arts programming across the United States. \nDennis Scholl is a world-class storyteller\, focusing on arts and culture. His interview subjects have included Robert Redford\, Frank Gehry\, Wynton Marsalis\, Ai Wei Wei\, and Theaster Gates.
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/an-evening-with-art-collector-dennis-scholl/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event,Lecture / Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DENNIS-SCHOLL.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20250929T184841Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T032723Z
UID:10000508-1773943200-1773950400@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:[SOLD OUT] Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Sacred + Secular
DESCRIPTION:Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Sacred + Secular\n\nIn conjunction with In Caravaggio’s Light | Baroque Masterpieces from the Fondazione Roberto Longhi\, the MFA introduces the Baroque + Bottle Book Club\, a dynamic literary series that pairs contemporary fiction with the timeless themes of the Baroque.  \nPresented in partnership with Book + Bottle\, St. Pete’s beloved independent bookstore and wine bar\, each gathering invites readers to dive into contemporary novels that echo the emotional intensity\, moral tension\, and timeless questions embedded in the Baroque movement. With expertly paired wines\, lively\, guided conversations\, and exclusive in-gallery experiences\, this series creates unexpected connections between the masterpieces on view and the pressing issues of today.   \nIn a pivotal shift\, Baroque artists began placing sacred and mythological stories within the messy reality of everyday life. By infusing the ordinary with spiritual resonance\, these works challenged audiences to see the divine in unexpected places. This session explores how contemporary literature uncovers beauty\, mindfulness\, and meaning in the secular corners of our complex world.   \nWe’ll read Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead\, a modern reimagining of David Copperfield set in rural America. Told in the unsparing voice of Demon\, a boy born into poverty and foster care\, the novel follows his survival through loss\, addiction\, fleeting loves\, and fleeting triumphs. Kingsolver channels Dickensian scope with contemporary grit\, using humor\, heartbreak\, and fierce compassion to illuminate the extraordinary in lives often ignored.   \nWhat to Expect: \n\n6:00–6:30 pm — Arrivals: grab a glass of wine and ease in with thought-starter prompts and casual conversation.\n6:30–7:30 pm — Guided discussion led by Book + Bottle\, exploring the book’s themes and connections to the Baroque.\n7:30–8:00 pm — Gallery spotlight with MFA curators and educators: a focused look at a work from In Caravaggio’s Light to bring the conversation full circle.\n\n\n\nBaroque + Bottle Book Club | Sacred + Secular \nThursday\, March 19\, 2026\n6:00 PM–8:00 PM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nSOLD OUT \nTickets include program and 1 glass of wine. Additional wine available for purchase. A limited number of copies are available at the MFA Shop and at Book + Bottle! Get 10% off the next book on the night of each book club! \nORDER BOOK\n\n  \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nAbout Book + Bottle\n \nBook + Bottle is a bottle shop\, an independent bookstore\, a coffee café\, and a wine bar all rolled into one exquisite little package. They have the most passionate\, friendly\, and helpful team in town to help you choose a book or a bottle or to take care of you and your friends on your night off. \nThey’re an independent\, woman-owned\, values-driven\, sustainably run\, local-first business that believes little kindnesses can make our community—and the world—a better place. \nAbout Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead\n \nDemon Copperhead (2022) by Barbara Kingsolver reimagines Dickens’s David Copperfield in contemporary Appalachia\, following a quick-witted boy as he fights to define himself amid poverty\, foster care\, and an opioid-ravaged landscape. Told in a vivid\, unsentimental first-person voice\, the novel traces resilience\, community\, and the power of storytelling without offering tidy answers—only hard-won clarity and heart. \nSee ALL Baroque + Bottle Book Club Dates and Times: \n\nNovember 20\, 2025 @ 6 pm: Representation + Marginalization\nDecember 18\, 2025 @ 6 pm: Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Women + Exclusion \nJanuary 15 @ 6 pm: Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Fragility + Faith\nFebruary 19 @ 6 pm: Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Body + Perception\nMarch 19 @ 6 pm: Baroque + Bottle Book Club | Sacred + Secular\n\n\nImages: \nJusepe de Ribera\, St. Thomas (detail)\, c. 1612\, Oil on canvas\, Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi\, Florence\, Italy \nOrganized by Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi and Civita Mostre e Musei.
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/baroque-bottle-book-club-3-19-26/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Baroque-Bottle-February-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T193000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260209T021245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260301T044525Z
UID:10000583-1774546200-1774553400@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Writer’s Workshop | The Alive Poets Society: Poetry and Ancient Art
DESCRIPTION:In partnership with poet Ariana Kija Matondo\, the MFA is hosting a three-part poetry workshop series focused on ekphrastic poetry—the art of writing descriptive and imaginative poetry inspired by visual art. \nIn the second workshop of the series\, participants will explore ancient art and ancient poetry while engaging in intimate conversations about how these works differ from the art and poetry we encounter today. Through guided reflection and discussion\, the workshop invites participants to consider how understanding the past can deepen our sense of self. Expect journaling prompts rooted in ancestral memory—both real and imagined—and opportunities to stretch the imagination beyond what art is “supposed” to look like and into what it could become in the near or distant future\, informed by our shared histories. \nNo prior poetry experience is required\, and all ages are welcome. Just bring a journal and an open mind to experience visual art in a new way. \nWriter’s Workshop | The Alive Poets Society: Poetry and Ancient Art \nOpen to all ages\nThursday\, March 26\, 2026\n5:30 PM–7:30 PM\nMary Alice McClendon Conservatory\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nFree for MFA Members; $16 for Not-Yet-Members (Youth 17 and under are Free!) \nREGISTER \nThe workshop is included with Art After Dark admission\, so participants can enjoy the program and explore the museum after hours for the same ticket price. \nMFA ART AFTER DARK ADMISSION \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nABOUT ARIANA KIJA MATONDO \n \nAriana Matondo (they/she) is a queer\, disabled Tanzanian-American poet\, editor\, and teacher based in Tampa\, Florida. They are the winner of the Zora Neale Hurston Award for Poetry (2025) and were previously named a finalist for the Disquiet Prize for Poetry (2025). Their honors also include the Sundress Publications Fellowship (2025)\, Vermont Studio Center Fellowship (2024)\, Light for Public Health Poetry Prize (2024)\, and the Bettye Newman Poetry Prize (2024–2025). Ariana’s work has been published and is forthcoming in Light Magazine\, Honey Literary Magazine\, The Common\, and others. They serve as Poetry Editor for Creation Magazine and CM Editorial House and are currently pursuing an MFA in Poetry at the University of South Florida. Learn more at arianakijamatondo.com. \n\nEXPLORE ALL UPCOMING WRITER’S WORKSHOP SERIES EVENTS \nWriter’s Workshop | Dream Residue: Ekphrasis in the Real World\nThursday\, February 26\, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM \nWriter’s Workshop | The Alive Poets Society: Poetry and Ancient Art\nThursday\, March 26\, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM \nWriter’s Workshop | The Garden of Your Mind\nThursday\, April 30\, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/writers-workshop-3-26-26/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Art After Dark,FREE for MFA Members,Reduced Admission,Youth and Family Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/writers-workshop_march.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260313T190147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T173121Z
UID:10000598-1774548000-1774551600@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Ribbon Cutting: Yvette Mayorga’s Magic Grasshopper
DESCRIPTION:Experience Yvette Mayorga’s Magic Grasshopper at the MFA\nJoin us on Thursday\, March 26 at 6 PM\, for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for our newest outdoor installation\, Magic Grasshopper by renowned artist Yvette Mayorga. \nStanding 30 feet long in front of the Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, this fantastical\, pink-hued sculpture is much more than meets the eye. It is a powerful tribute to the American Dream\, weaving together 90s nostalgia\, lowrider culture\, and critical narratives of migration and labor. \n  \nYvette Mayorga | Magic Grasshopper Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony \nThursday\, March 26\, 2026\n6:00 PM\nOn the Plaza in front of the Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nFree for everyone. Registration required.\nMuseum admission not included.  \nIn the spirit of Magic Grasshopper: Pink Attire Encouraged! \nREGISTER HERE \nAfter the ceremony\, we invite you to head inside the MFA and explore our galleries; please note that museum admission on Thursday nights is discounted to $16 for adults and is free for MFA Members and those under 18 years old. \n  \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nOriginally commissioned by Times Square Arts \nImages: Yvette Mayorga\, Mexican-American Latinx\, b. 1991\, Magic Grasshopper (detail)\, 2025\, Silicon piping\, steel frame\, polycarbonate resin\, metal\, casts\, mechanical engineering\, #D printed plastics\, and marine grade plywood. Images courtesy of Times Square Arts. Photography by Michael Hull.
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/magic-grasshopper-opening/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Youth and Family Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Magic-Grasshopper-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20251125T022057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T022057Z
UID:10000548-1774798200-1774814400@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Art & Nature Sunset Tours with the MFA & Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
DESCRIPTION:Spend your Sunday immersed in art and nature! This unique program invites visitors to embark on a journey that celebrates the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and the role it plays in sparking human creativity. Begin the afternoon at the MFA with a guided docent tour of the collection galleries\, looking closely at artworks from throughout history and across the globe that were inspired by nature. From majestic landscapes to delicate still lifes to ancient sculptures\, each artwork highlights the deep connection between artists and the natural world. \nThe experience continues at the St. Pete Pier\, where you’ll board a sunset cruise with Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center’s expert marine science educators. Enjoy guided wildlife watching\, a visit to a local bird sanctuary\, learning about our area’s history\, and the beautiful scenery as the sky changes colors over the downtown skyline. There will be optional opportunities to get creative\, with all supplies provided\, and you’re encouraged to express your inspiration from the experience. \nThis partnership highlights how each of us contributes to protecting Tampa Bay and the environment as a whole. By showcasing the artistic and ecological importance of our region\, we aim to inspire a greater appreciation for nature’s beauty and encourage a lasting commitment to its preservation for future generations. \nArt & Nature Sunset Tours with the MFA & Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center\nSunday\, March 29\, 2026\n3:30 PM–8:00 PM\n$45 ($5 MFA Member discount offered)\nChildren under 3 free \nTour includes admission to the MFA and TBWDC\nArt & Nature Docent-Led Tour begins at the MFA at 3:30 pm\nSunset Tour with Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center begins at 7:00 pm \nTICKETS \n 
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/art-and-nature-tour-3-29-26/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Youth and Family Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ArtNature.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260407T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260407T120000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260304T015751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T015751Z
UID:10000589-1775559600-1775563200@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Spotlight Series | The Art in Molecule Connections
DESCRIPTION:MFA Spotlight Series | The Art in Molecule Connections\nJoin MFA Docent Dorothy Cappadona and scientists from the Tampa Bay Research Institute for a gallery talk that bridges sciences and art. Within the 20th Century Modern Art galleries of the MFA\, see how artists get their inspiration from nature and how scientists see artistic elements in molecule connections! \n  \n\n\n\n\nMFA Spotlight Series | The Art in Molecule Connections\nTuesday\, April 7\, 2026\n11:00 AM–12:00 PM\nFREE for MFA Members; Included with the cost of admission for Not-Yet Members\nRegistration required. \nREGISTER \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nABOUT AKIKO TANAKA \nAkiko Tanaka\, Ph.D\, is the Senior Member\, President\, and Co-Founder of the Tampa Bay Research Institute (TBRI)\, in St. Petersburg\, Florida. She earned her B.S. in Pharmaceutical Science and her Ph.D in Medical Science from Showa Medical University in Tokyo\, Japan. \nDr. Tanaka founded TBRI in 1981 with the late Dr. Meihan Nonoyama to explore how viruses\, cancers\, and the immune system interact- a mission that positioned the institute at the forefront of biomedical research. \nTBRI later became widely recognized for its pioneering in studies on PPC\, a biologically active extract derived from pinecones. PPC is a natural mixture containing multiple compounds. \nIn response to the current FDA requirements to not approve PPC\, Dr. Tanaka launched a new research initiative led by Dr. William Guy Bradley to develop fully synthetic drug candidates in partnership with the University of South Florida’s Department of Chemistry. \nToday\, the efforts have produced its first synthetic molecule\, with the team now awaiting issuance of its inaugural patent. \nABOUT WILLIAM GUY BRADLEY \nWilliam Guy Bradley\, Ph.D\, is Senior Member of TBRI’s Laboratory of Immunology and Professor Emeritus of Biology at Eckerd College. He earned a B.S. with Honors in Biology from Eckerd College and his Ph.D with Honors in Medical Science from the University of South Florida’s College of Medicine Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology. \nHis career spans more than three decades of research at the intersection of virology\, immunology\, and natural-product discovery. Dr. Bradley has served in numerous academic and advisory roles\, reviewed for NIH study sections\, and is an inventor on multiple U.S. and international patents. \nToday\, his laboratory continues to explore small-molecule modulators of the immune system. He brings our community a long-standing commitment to scientific discovery\, education\, and innovation. \nABOUT MICHAEL J. SHAMBLOTT \nMichael J. Shamblott\, Ph.D\, is a Senior Member of the TBRI’s laboratory of Immunology. He earned his B.S. in Biology from the University of Miami\, his Ph.D in Endocrinology of Growth from the University of Maryland and completed postdoctoral training in stem cell biology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine\, where he was a part of the pioneering work that first derived pluripotent stem cells from human primordial germ cells-research that helped shape modern regenerative medicine. \nHis career has included faculty appointments at john Hopkins and the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and as Chief Scientific Officer at Morphogenesis\, Inc. \nToday\, his laboratory leads the discovery of a potent cytostatic compound from a botanical extract\, a finding with the potential to benefit millions of patients. His work reflects a commitment to translating scientific insight into meaningful medical advances. \n 
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/spotlight-series-the-art-in-molecule-connections/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,FREE for MFA Members
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/spotlight-series_apr.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T210000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260318T024446Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260405T142742Z
UID:10000593-1775761200-1775768400@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist and The Last Library IV: Written in Water | MFA Member-Exclusive Preview
DESCRIPTION:Two Extraordinary Exhibitions. One Unforgettable Night.\nMFA Member-Exclusive Preview & Reception \n\nThe Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg Executive Director & CEO\, Klaudio Rodriguez and the Board of Trustees invite you to an exclusive first look at a double-feature opening: Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist and The Last Library IV: Written in Water. \nGet ready for a vibrant\, high-energy evening of celebration in the Mary Alice McClendon Conservatory. This is more than a preview—it’s a party. Mix\, mingle\, and connect with fellow art lovers in a lively\, welcoming atmosphere as we toast to a new season of global contemporary art.\n \n\n\n\nThe Evening Highlights: \n\nMeet the Artists: This is a rare opportunity to engage with Ali Banisadr and Ward Shelley. Hear firsthand about the inspirations and processes behind their incredible works.\nSip & Socialize: Enjoy delicious light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar while you soak in the vibrant evening energy of the Conservatory.\nFirst Access: Be among the very first to immerse yourself in the complex\, layered worlds created by these world-class artists.\nCelebrate Together: Join us at 7:20 p.m. for opening remarks that will kick off this dual-exhibition journey.\n\nExperience the pulse of the museum in a social setting designed to inspire. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! \n  \nAli Banisadr: The Alchemist and The Last Library IV: Written in Water\nMFA Member-Exclusive Preview & Reception\nThursday\, April 9\, 2026\n7:00 PM–9:00 PM (Remarks at 7:20 PM)\nMary Alice McClendon Conservatory & Hazel Hough Wing \n$15\nCash bar\nValet Parking is available for additional fee \nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nGET TICKETS FOR THE MEMBER PREVIEW \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nImages: \nAli Banisadr (b. 1976)\, Things Fall Apart (detail)\, 2007\, oil on linen\, 44 x 50 in. Collection of Jacob Miller. Photography by Jeffrey Sturges. © Ali Banisadr \nWard Shelley (American\, b. 1950) and Douglas Paulson (American\, b. 1980)\, The Last Library IV: Written in Water (detail)\, 2025\, Paper\, wood\, corrugated cardboard\, laser-printed and hand-written labels\, packing tape\, acrylic paint\, found and manipulated objects. Installation view. Courtesy the Artist. Promised Gift of Jill and Jay Bernstein. \n \n 
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/ali-banisadr-member-preview/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event,FREE for MFA Members,Lecture / Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Alchemist-and-Library-Member-Preview.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260411T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260411T100000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260331T134837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T164018Z
UID:10000608-1775898000-1775901600@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Exclusive Artist Tour | The Alchemist with Ali Banisadr
DESCRIPTION:Exclusive Artist Tour | The Alchemist with Ali Banisadr\nBe among the first to experience Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist in this exclusive tour led by the artist himself. As you move through the galleries\, Banisadr will share insights into nearly two decades of his work\, reflecting on the memories\, sounds\, and histories that shape his richly layered paintings\, and offering a rare\, personal perspective on the influences behind his dynamic compositions. Discover the artistic references\, mythologies\, and moments from world history that converge within his turbulent yet celebratory visual worlds. \nThis intimate tour offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of today’s most compelling contemporary painters and to experience the exhibition through the artist’s own voice. Capacity is limited to just 20 participants—reserve your spot early so you don’t miss out. \nExclusive Artist Tour | The Alchemist with Ali Banisadr \nSaturday\, April 11\, 2026\n9:00 AM–10:00 AM \nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nTickets are extremely limited! Secure your spot today. \n$30 for MFA Members; $50 for Not-Yet-Members; Includes museum admission \nRegister \n\nABOUT ALI BANISADR \n \nBorn in Tehran\, Iran in 1976\, the artist grew up amidst the turmoil of the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88). In 1988\, Banisadr left Iran with his family at the age of twelve\, first reaching Turkey and then San Diego\, California. While living in San Francisco as a young adult\, he became involved with the local graffiti art community while studying psychology. He later moved to New York City where he earned a BFA at the School of Visual Arts (2005) and an MFA at the New York Academy of Art (2007). The artist currently lives and works in Brooklyn\, NY. Banisadr has been the subject of international solo museum exhibitions at the Museo Stefano Bardini and Palazzo Vecchio\, Florence\, (2021); Benaki Museum\, Athens\, (2020); Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art\, Hartford\, (2020); Gemäldegalerie\, Academy of Fine Arts\, Vienna\, (2019); and the Het Noordbrabants Museum\, Den Bosch\, (2019). \nHis work has also been included in major group exhibitions including the Venice Biennale (2013) and Prague Biennale (2013). Banisadr’s work is included in significant public collections including the Benaki Museum\, Athens; British Museum\, London; Buffalo AKG Art Museum\, Buffalo; Centre Pompidou\, Paris; Het Noordbrabants Museum\, Den Bosch; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden\, Smithsonian Institution\, Washington\, DC; Los Angeles County Museum of Art\, Los Angeles; Metropolitan Museum of Art\, New York; Museum of Contemporary Art\, Los Angeles; Museum of Fine Arts\, Houston; Museum der Moderne\, Salzburg; Philadelphia Museum of Art\, Philadelphia; and the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art\, Hartford\, CT\, among others. \n\n \nImage: \nAli Banisadr (b. 1976)\, Things Fall Apart (detail)\, 2007\, oil on linen\, 44 x 50 in. Collection of Jacob Miller. Photography by Jeffrey Sturges. © Ali Banisadr
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/the-alchemist-with-ali-banisadr/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event,Tour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Ali-Banisadr_Member-Preview.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260411T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260411T120000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260331T135115Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260406T220154Z
UID:10000609-1775905200-1775908800@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:In Conversation | Ali Banisadr and Dr. Stanton Thomas
DESCRIPTION:In Conversation | Ali Banisadr and Dr. Stanton Thomas\nDon’t miss this exclusive evening of art and art history! Join artist Ali Banisadr in conversation with Dr. Stanton Thomas\, the MFA’s Hazel and William Hough Chief Curator\, for an illuminating discussion on the ideas\, experiences\, and influences that shape Banisadr’s singular artistic practice. \nIn this rare\, intimate dialogue\, we explore the intersection of memory\, mythology\, and the sensory phenomenon of synesthesia. Banisadr and Dr. Thomas will pull back the curtain on two decades of work\, decoding the dense\, kaleidoscopic visual language and historical gravity that define his works. \nArrive early to pick up your copy of the Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist catalogue at the MFA Shop. \nIn Conversation | Ali Banisadr and Dr. Stanton Thomas\nSaturday\, April 11\, 2026\n11:00 AM–12:00 PM \nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \n$15 for MFA Members; $35 for Not-Yet-Members (Includes Museum admission) \nRegister \n\nABOUT ALI BANISADR \n \nBorn in Tehran\, Iran in 1976\, the artist grew up amidst the turmoil of the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88). In 1988\, Banisadr left Iran with his family at the age of twelve\, first reaching Turkey and then San Diego\, California. While living in San Francisco as a young adult\, he became involved with the local graffiti art community while studying psychology. He later moved to New York City where he earned a BFA at the School of Visual Arts (2005) and an MFA at the New York Academy of Art (2007). The artist currently lives and works in Brooklyn\, NY. Banisadr has been the subject of international solo museum exhibitions at the Museo Stefano Bardini and Palazzo Vecchio\, Florence\, (2021); Benaki Museum\, Athens\, (2020); Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art\, Hartford\, (2020); Gemäldegalerie\, Academy of Fine Arts\, Vienna\, (2019); and the Het Noordbrabants Museum\, Den Bosch\, (2019). \nHis work has also been included in major group exhibitions including the Venice Biennale (2013) and Prague Biennale (2013). Banisadr’s work is included in significant public collections including the Benaki Museum\, Athens; British Museum\, London; Buffalo AKG Art Museum\, Buffalo; Centre Pompidou\, Paris; Het Noordbrabants Museum\, Den Bosch; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden\, Smithsonian Institution\, Washington\, DC; Los Angeles County Museum of Art\, Los Angeles; Metropolitan Museum of Art\, New York; Museum of Contemporary Art\, Los Angeles; Museum of Fine Arts\, Houston; Museum der Moderne\, Salzburg; Philadelphia Museum of Art\, Philadelphia; and the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art\, Hartford\, CT\, among others. \n\n \nImage: \nAli Banisadr (b. 1976)\, Queen of the Night (detail)\, 2022\, oil on linen\, 82 x 120 in. Private Collection. Photography by Genevieve Hanson. © Ali Banisadr
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/in-conversation-ali-banisadr-stanton-thomas/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event,Lecture / Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/In-Conversation_AliBanisadr_StantonThomas.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260426T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260426T201500
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20251125T022338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T022338Z
UID:10000549-1777217400-1777234500@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Art & Nature Sunset Tours with the MFA & Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
DESCRIPTION:Spend your Sunday immersed in art and nature! This unique program invites visitors to embark on a journey that celebrates the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and the role it plays in sparking human creativity. Begin the afternoon at the MFA with a guided docent tour of the collection galleries\, looking closely at artworks from throughout history and across the globe that were inspired by nature. From majestic landscapes to delicate still lifes to ancient sculptures\, each artwork highlights the deep connection between artists and the natural world. \nThe experience continues at the St. Pete Pier\, where you’ll board a sunset cruise with Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center’s expert marine science educators. Enjoy guided wildlife watching\, a visit to a local bird sanctuary\, learning about our area’s history\, and the beautiful scenery as the sky changes colors over the downtown skyline. There will be optional opportunities to get creative\, with all supplies provided\, and you’re encouraged to express your inspiration from the experience. \nThis partnership highlights how each of us contributes to protecting Tampa Bay and the environment as a whole. By showcasing the artistic and ecological importance of our region\, we aim to inspire a greater appreciation for nature’s beauty and encourage a lasting commitment to its preservation for future generations. \nArt & Nature Sunset Tours with the MFA & Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center\nSunday\, April 26\, 2026\n3:30 PM–8:15 PM\n$45 ($5 MFA Member discount offered)\nChildren under 3 free \nTour includes admission to the MFA and TBWDC\nArt & Nature Docent-Led Tour begins at the MFA at 3:30 pm\nSunset Tour with Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center begins at 7:15 pm \nTICKETS \n 
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/art-and-nature-tour-4-26-26/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Youth and Family Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ArtNature.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260430T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260430T193000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260209T022254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T182335Z
UID:10000584-1777570200-1777577400@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Writer’s Workshop | The Garden of Your Mind
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate National Poetry Month at the MFA! In partnership with poet Ariana Kija Matondo\, the MFA is hosting a three-part poetry workshop series focused on ekphrastic poetry—the art of writing descriptive and imaginative poetry inspired by visual art. \nIn the third workshop of the series\, participants are invited to consider how art exists beyond museum walls. What happens when we listen to the world around us\, not just ourselves? Led by poets Ariana Kija Matondo and Kallie Blakelock\, this session will move between the galleries and outdoor spaces for guided journaling. Participants will practice mindfulness while gathering sensory notes from the environment around and within them\, deepening the connection between observation\, place\, and poetic expression. \nNo prior poetry experience is required\, and all ages are welcome. Just bring a journal and an open mind to experience visual art in a new way. Please wear clothes suitable for being outdoors and comfortable walking shoes. \nWriter’s Workshop | The Garden of Your Mind\nOpen to all ages\nThursday\, April 30\, 2026\n5:30 PM–7:30 PM\nMary Alice McClendon Conservatory\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nFree for MFA Members; $16 for Not-Yet-Members (Youth 17 and under are Free!) \nREGISTER \nThe workshop is included with Art After Dark admission\, so participants can enjoy the program and explore the museum after hours for the same ticket price. \nMFA ART AFTER DARK ADMISSION \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nABOUT ARIANA KIJA MATONDO \n \nAriana Matondo (they/she) is a queer\, disabled Tanzanian-American poet\, editor\, and teacher based in Tampa\, Florida. They are the winner of the Zora Neale Hurston Award for Poetry (2025) and were previously named a finalist for the Disquiet Prize for Poetry (2025). Their honors also include the Sundress Publications Fellowship (2025)\, Vermont Studio Center Fellowship (2024)\, Light for Public Health Poetry Prize (2024)\, and the Bettye Newman Poetry Prize (2024–2025). Ariana’s work has been published and is forthcoming in Light Magazine\, Honey Literary Magazine\, The Common\, and others. They serve as Poetry Editor for Creation Magazine and CM Editorial House and are currently pursuing an MFA in Poetry at the University of South Florida. Learn more at arianakijamatondo.com. \nABOUT KALLIE BLAKELOCK \n \nKallie Blakelock is a current MFA student in poetry at the University of South Florida. She worked as a high school teacher for five years before packing up her Pontiac and moving to Tampa\, Florida. Far from the quiet Eastern Shore of Maryland where she grew up\, Kallie explores the world—and herself—through poetry. \n\nEXPLORE ALL UPCOMING WRITER’S WORKSHOP SERIES EVENTS \nWriter’s Workshop | Dream Residue: Ekphrasis in the Real World\nThursday\, February 26\, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM \nWriter’s Workshop | The Alive Poets Society: Poetry and Ancient Art\nThursday\, March 26\, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM \nWriter’s Workshop | The Garden of Your Mind\nThursday\, April 30\, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/writers-workshop-4-30-26/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Art After Dark,FREE for MFA Members,Reduced Admission,Youth and Family Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/writers-workshop_march.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260507T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260507T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260319T200813Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T011741Z
UID:10000601-1778176800-1778184000@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Book + Banisadr Book Club | War + Apocalypse
DESCRIPTION:Book + Banisadr Book Club | War + Apocalypse\nIn conjunction with Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist\, the MFA is proud to introduce the Book + Banisadr Book Club\, a three-part literary program that invites participants to immerse themselves into the complex\, turbulent worlds of Banisadr’s works through the lens of contemporary fiction that mimic the artist’s practice in both chaos and composure. \nHeld in partnership with Book + Bottle\, a beloved local independent bookstore and wine bar\, each session will focus on a thoughtfully selected book that echoes the figurative illusions rooted in autobiographical narratives\, sonic recollection\, invented stories\, world history\, collective memory\, and mythology embedded in the imagery of Ali Banisadr’s work. Through this one-of-a-kind pairing of literature and art\, historical themes will be reexamined against the dreadful\, real\, and unreal stories we tell ourselves. \nEach session will feature a specially paired wine and will be carefully facilitated to bridge the artworks in the exhibition to the relevant and resonant conversations shaping our society today. This month’s selection\, The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali\, is a poignant novel of love\, loss\, and fate set against the backdrop of 1950s Tehran\, following a young couple whose lives are forever changed by political upheaval. \n\nDrawing on childhood experiences of the Iran-Iraq War (1980–88) in his native Tehran\, where explosions and other aural disturbances were commonplace\, as well as his extant synesthesia\, Banisadr painstakingly and intuitively builds complex compositions that exude a vitality at once turbulent and celebratory. In 1988\, Banisadr left Iran with his family at the age of twelve\, first reaching Turkey and then San Diego\, California. While living in San Francisco\, he became involved with the local graffiti art community while studying psychology. He later moved to New York City where he earned a BFA at the School of Visual Arts (2005) and an MFA at the New York Academy of Art (2007)\, and he continues to live and work in Brooklyn\, NY. \nBook + Banisadr Book Club | War + Apocalypse \nThursday\, May 7\, 2026\n6:00 PM–8:00 PM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \n$25 for Members; $35 for Not-Yet-Members \nTICKETS \nTickets include program and 1 glass of wine. Additional wine available for purchase. \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers! \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nAbout Book + Bottle\n \nBook + Bottle is a bottle shop\, an independent bookstore\, a coffee café\, and a wine bar all rolled into one exquisite little package. They have the most passionate\, friendly\, and helpful team in town to help you choose a book or a bottle or to take care of you and your friends on your night off. \nThey’re an independent\, woman-owned\, values-driven\, sustainably run\, local-first business that believes little kindnesses can make our community—and the world—a better place. \nAbout The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali\n \nFrom the New York Times bestselling author of Together Tea and The Lion Women of Tehran\, a poignant\, “powerful” (The Wall Street Journal) and “affecting novel about first love” (Real Simple) that explores loss\, reconciliation\, and the quirks of fate. \nRoya\, a dreamy\, idealistic teenager living amid the political upheaval of 1953 Tehran\, finds a literary oasis in kindly Mr. Fakhri’s neighborhood stationery shop\, stocked with books and pens and bottles of jewel-colored ink. \nThen Mr. Fakhri\, with a keen instinct for a budding romance\, introduces Roya to his other favorite customer—handsome Bahman\, who has a burning passion for justice and a love for Rumi’s poetry—and she loses her heart at once. Their romance blossoms\, and the little stationery shop remains their favorite place in all of Tehran. \nA few short months later\, on the eve of their marriage\, Roya agrees to meet Bahman at the town square when violence erupts—a result of the coup d’etat that forever changes their country’s future. In the chaos\, Bahman never shows. For weeks\, Roya tries desperately to contact him\, but her efforts are fruitless. With a sorrowful heart\, she moves on—to college in California\, to another man\, to a life in New England—until\, more than sixty years later\, an accident of fate leads her back to Bahman and offers her a chance to ask him the questions that have haunted her for more than half a century: Why did you leave? Where did you go? How is it that you were able to forget me? \nSee ALL Book + Banisadr Book Club Dates and Times: \n\nMay 7\, 2026 @ 6 pm: Book + Banisadr Book Club | War + Apocalypse\nJune 4\, 2026 @ 6 pm: Book + Banisadr Book Club | Mythology + History\nJuly 2\, 2026 @ 6 pm: Book + Banisadr Book Club | Sound + Composition
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/book-banisadr-book-club-1/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Ali-Banisadr-Book-Club.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260517T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260517T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20251119T020321Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251119T020321Z
UID:10000544-1779026400-1779030000@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Language Tour Series | German-Speaking Tour with Anita Birrer
DESCRIPTION:Deutsch: Schließen Sie sich uns jeden dritten Sonntag um 14 Uhr im MFA für unsere neuen Sprachrundgänge an! Jeden Monat wird ein MFA-Museumsführer einen Rundgang in einer anderen Sprache als Englisch leiten und so eine einzigartige Möglichkeit bieten\, die Sammlung des Museums zu erleben. Egal\, ob Sie die Sprache fließend beherrschen\, Ihre Fähigkeiten üben möchten oder eine kunstvolle Möglichkeit suchen\, mit dem Lernen zu beginnen – diese Rundgänge sind eine großartige Gelegenheit\, sich durch Kunst und Kultur mit anderen zu verbinden! \nDiese öffentlichen\, von Museumsführern geleiteten Rundgänge sind im Eintrittspreis inbegriffen\, aber eine vorherige Anmeldung wird empfohlen\, damit die Führer wissen\, wie viele Teilnehmer sie während ihres Rundganges erwarten können. Die Plätze sind begrenzt – melden Sie sich noch heute an! \nKönnen Sie an diesem Datum nicht teilnehmen\, sind aber daran interessiert\, eine von einem Führer geleiteten Rundgang in einer anderen Sprache als Englisch zu buchen? Das MFA bietet derzeit Rundgänge in Russisch\, Spanisch\, Portugiesisch und Deutsch an! Bitte senden Sie uns eine E-Mail an tours@mfastpete.org\, um mehr zu erfahren. \nEnglish: Join us every third Sunday at 2 pm for the MFA’s Language Tour Series! Each month\, an MFA Docent will guide a tour in a language other than English\, offering visitors a fresh and immersive way to explore the museum’s collection. Whether you’re fluent\, practicing your language skills\, or just beginning your journey\, these tours offer a welcoming space to connect through art and culture. \nDocent-led Language Tours are free with museum admission\, but advance registration is recommended so our docents can plan for group size. Space is limited—reserve your spot today! \nInterested in a tour but can’t attend on this date? The MFA also offers docent-led tours in Russian\, Spanish\, Portuguese\, and German by request. Email us at tours@mfastpete.org to learn more. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLanguage Tour Series | German-Speaking Tour with Anita Birrer\nSunday\, May 17\, 2026\n2:00 PM–3:00 PM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nFREE for MFA Members; Included with the cost of admission for Not-Yet Members\nRegistration required. \nREGISTER \nCheck out the full Language Tour schedule here to find upcoming tours in your preferred language. \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nABOUT ANITA BIRRER/ÜBER ANITA BIRRER \n\n\nEnglish: My name is Anita Birrer\, and I successfully graduated from the MFA Docent Training Program on May 7\, 2022. As part of my commitment to the docent program\, I serve as a gallery guide on select Friday afternoons. \nI am a native Swiss\, born and raised in Luzern\, located in the German-speaking region of Switzerland. In everyday life\, we primarily speak Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch)\, a collection of Alemannic dialects that vary by region. While Swiss German is used in daily conversation\, Standard German (Hochdeutsch) is employed in formal settings such as education\, media\, and written communication. Due to notable differences in pronunciation\, vocabulary\, and grammar\, Swiss German can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand—therefore\, I will be leading the German tours at the MFA in Standard German. \nI am a Swiss Federally Certified Adult Educator and have taught Swiss culture and Standard German to expatriates working for Swiss companies. I am well-traveled and fluent in English as well. \n\n\nDeutsch: Mein Name ist Anita Birrer. Ich bin Schweizerin\, in Luzern geboren und aufgewachsen. Ich spreche Schweizerdeutsch und Hochdeutsch (Muttersprache)\, Englisch und Französisch. Ich bin eidg. diplomierte Ausbilderin und habe in dieser Rolle während über 25 Jahren fremd- und deutschsprachige Menschen in der Schweiz im Umgang mit der Schweizer Kultur und der deutschen Sprache beraten\, ausgebildet und gefördert. \nIm Mai 2022 habe ich die Ausbildung zur MFA-Museumsführerin erfolgreich abgeschlossen. \nIn dieser Rolle interagiere ich jeden Freitagnachmittag mit Museumsbesuchern aller Altersgruppen\, Fähigkeiten und Hintergründe durch lebhafte\, anregende und unterhaltsame Gespräche über unsere ausgestellten Kunstwerke in den Galerien.
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/german-speaking-tour-with-anita-birrer-5-17-26/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,FREE for MFA Members
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Speaking-Tour_Anita-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260528T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260528T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260222T022958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260222T022958Z
UID:10000586-1779991200-1779994800@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:In Conversation: Sarah Ann Weber and Stefano Di Paola
DESCRIPTION:In Conversation: Sarah Ann Weber and Stefano Di Paola\n\nThe Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg welcomes contemporary artist Sarah Ann Weber for an intimate conversation with her gallerist\, Stefano Di Paola of Anat Ebgi. \nKnown for her richly layered works on paper\, Weber creates lush\, immersive environments that blur the boundaries between landscape\, memory\, and inner life. Working primarily in watercolor and colored pencil\, her practice explores cycles of growth and decay\, intimacy and transformation\, often drawing on personal experience to create psychologically charged\, dreamlike spaces. \nIn this conversation\, Weber and Di Paola will discuss the evolution of her practice\, the role of material and process in her work\, and the artist–gallerist relationship. Together\, they will reflect on how Weber’s imagery moves between the domestic and the wild\, the personal and the ecological\, offering insight into the ideas shaping her recent exhibitions and ongoing body of work. \n\n\nIn Conversation: Sarah Ann Weber and Stefano Di Paola \nThursday\, May 28\, 2026\n6:00 PM–7:00 PM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \n$15 for MFA Members; $35 for Not-Yet-Members. \nTICKETS \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/in-conversation-sarah-ann-weber-stefano-di-paola/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event,Lecture / Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/In-Conversation.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260319T200828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T012015Z
UID:10000602-1780596000-1780603200@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Book + Banisadr Book Club | Mythology + History
DESCRIPTION:Book + Banisadr Book Club | Mythology + History\nIn conjunction with Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist\, the MFA is proud to introduce the Book + Banisadr Book Club\, a three-part literary program that invites participants to immerse themselves into the complex\, turbulent worlds of Banisadr’s works through the lens of contemporary fiction that mimic the artist’s practice in both chaos and composure. \nHeld in partnership with Book + Bottle\, a beloved local independent bookstore and wine bar\, each session will focus on a thoughtfully selected book that echoes the figurative illusions rooted in autobiographical narratives\, sonic recollection\, invented stories\, world history\, collective memory\, and mythology embedded in the imagery of Ali Banisadr’s work. Through this one-of-a-kind pairing of literature and art\, historical themes will be reexamined against the dreadful\, real\, and unreal stories we tell ourselves. \nEach session will feature a specially paired wine and will be carefully facilitated to bridge the artworks in the exhibition to the relevant and resonant conversations shaping our society today. This month’s selection\, Black Leopard\, Red Wolf by Marlon James\, is an award-winning\, genre-defying novel that blends myth\, fantasy\, and African history in an epic quest to find a missing child—exploring truth\, power\, and the stories we choose to believe. \n\nDriving Banisadr’s practice is an encyclopedic knowledge of art history\, literature\, and philosophy\, references of which can be read in each work. His sprawling\, light-filled studio is filled with books and research material. Lining floor-to-ceiling bookshelves are tomes on everything from miniature painting to Bruegel and the Renaissance painter Hieronymus Bosch\, who has always been a huge influence\, as well as Dante Alighieri\, Rumi\, and Andrei Tarkovsky. “I have a group that I circle around and I always go back to\,” Banisadr says. “For example\, Dante’s Inferno or Homer’s Odyssey. I could keep reading and rereading these epic poems. To me they are so full of visual things.” \nBook + Banisadr Book Club | Mythology + History \nThursday\, June 4\, 2026\n6:00 PM–8:00 PM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \n$25 for Members; $35 for Not-Yet-Members \nTICKETS \nTickets include program and 1 glass of wine. Additional wine available for purchase. \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers! \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nAbout Book + Bottle\n \nBook + Bottle is a bottle shop\, an independent bookstore\, a coffee café\, and a wine bar all rolled into one exquisite little package. They have the most passionate\, friendly\, and helpful team in town to help you choose a book or a bottle or to take care of you and your friends on your night off. \nThey’re an independent\, woman-owned\, values-driven\, sustainably run\, local-first business that believes little kindnesses can make our community—and the world—a better place. \nAbout Black Leopard\, Red Wolf by Marlon James\n \nOne of TIME’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time / Winner of the L.A. Times Ray Bradbury Prize / Finalist for the 2019 National Book Award / The New York Times Bestseller \nNamed a Best Book of 2019 by The Wall Street Journal\, TIME\, NPR\, GQ\, Vogue\, and The Washington Post \n“Gripping\, action-packed….The literary equivalent of a Marvel Comics universe.” –Michiko Kakutani\, The New York Times \nIn the stunning first novel in Marlon James’s Dark Star trilogy\, myth\, fantasy\, and history come together to explore what happens when a mercenary is hired to find a missing child. \nTracker is known far and wide for his skills as a hunter: “He has a nose\,” people say. Engaged to track down a mysterious boy who disappeared three years earlier\, Tracker breaks his own rule of always working alone when he finds himself part of a group that comes together to search for the boy. The band is a hodgepodge\, full of unusual characters with secrets of their own\, including a shape-shifting man-animal known as Leopard. \nAs Tracker follows the boy’s scent–from one ancient city to another; into dense forests and across deep rivers–he and the band are set upon by creatures intent on destroying them. As he struggles to survive\, Tracker starts to wonder: Who\, really\, is this boy? Why has he been missing for so long? Why do so many people want to keep Tracker from finding him? And perhaps the most important questions of all: Who is telling the truth\, and who is lying? \nDrawing from African history and mythology and his own rich imagination\, Marlon James has written a novel unlike anything that’s come before it: a saga of breathtaking adventure that’s also an ambitious\, involving read. Defying categorization and full of unforgettable characters\, Black Leopard\, Red Wolf is both surprising and profound as it explores the fundamentals of truth\, the limits of power\, and our need to understand them both. \nSee ALL Book + Banisadr Book Club Dates and Times: \n\nMay 7\, 2026 @ 6 pm: Book + Banisadr Book Club | War + Apocalypse\nJune 4\, 2026 @ 6 pm: Book + Banisadr Book Club | Mythology + History\nJuly 2\, 2026 @ 6 pm: Book + Banisadr Book Club | Sound + Composition
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/book-banisadr-book-club-2/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Ali-Banisadr-Book-Club.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260621T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260621T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260401T021346Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T021542Z
UID:10000604-1782050400-1782054000@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Language Tour Series | Russian-Speaking Tour with Natalie Velez featuring Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist 
DESCRIPTION:Русский: Приглашаем вас в Музей Изобразительных Искусств (MFA) на новую серию экскурсий на иностранных языках! Каждое третье воскресенье месяца в 14:00 экскурсовод музея проводит обзорную экскурсию на языке\, отличном от английского. Эти экскурсии — прекрасная возможность: ближе познакомиться с коллекцией музея\, встретить единомышленников\, улучшить знание изучаемого вами языка. \nУчастие в экскурсии включено в стоимость входного билета\, но предварительная регистрация обязательна\, так как количество мест ограничено. \nЗаинтересованы в экскурсии\, но не можете прийти в эту дату? Музей изобразительных искусств (MFA) также предлагает экскурсии на русском\, испанском\, португальском и немецком языках по запросу. По всем вопросам и для записи пишите нам на: tours@mfastpete.org. \nEnglish: Join us every third Sunday at 2 pm for the MFA’s Language Tour Series! Each month\, an MFA Docent will guide a tour in a language other than English\, offering visitors a fresh and immersive way to explore the museum’s collection. Whether you’re fluent\, practicing your language skills\, or just beginning your journey\, these tours offer a welcoming space to connect through art and culture. \nDocent-led Language Tours are free with museum admission\, but advance registration is recommended so our docents can plan for group size. Space is limited—reserve your spot today! \nInterested in a tour but can’t attend on this date? The MFA also offers docent-led tours in Russian\, Spanish\, Portuguese\, and German by request. Email us at tours@mfastpete.org to learn more. \nLanguage Tour Series | Russian-Speaking Tour with Natalie Velez featuring Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist \nSunday\, June 21\, 2026\n2:00 PM–3:00 PM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \nFREE for MFA Members; Included with the cost of admission for Not-Yet Members\nRegistration required. \nREGISTER \nCheck out the full Language Tour schedule here to find upcoming tours in your preferred language. \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n  \n \nImage: \nAli Banisadr (b. 1976)\, The Waste Land (detail)\, 2006\, oil on panel\, 9 x 12 in. Collection of the Artist. Photography by Jeffrey Sturges. © Ali Banisadr \n\nABOUT NATALIE VELEZ/О НАТАЛИ ВЕЛЕЗ \n\n\nEnglish: In 2009\, Natalie Velez moved from St. Petersburg\, Russia to St. Petersburg\, Florida. Natalie credits her  relocation for opening a new world for her: that of American contemporary art and how it can alter the ways in  which we visualize and conceptualize the world.  \nNatalie earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the State University for Culture and Arts in St. Petersburg\,  Russia. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in philosophy and aesthetics in visual art from the Institute for  Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts\, headquartered in Maine (IDSVA). In her research\, she explores the  intersection of politics and cross-cultural art collaborations.  \nNatalie’s professional experience includes working as an international education and business consultant\,  art gallery owner\, and educator of arts and philosophy. She presented her work on the relations of arts\,  aesthetics\, and philosophy during her residences in Mexico and Italy\, as well as at institutions such as the  University of Tampa\, Eckerd College\, and the Museum of Fine Arts.   \n\n  \n\nРусский: Натали Велез переехала в Санкт-Петербург\, Флорида\, из Санкт-Петербурга\, Россия\, в 2009 году. Она получила степени бакалавра и магистра в Санкт-Петербургском государственном институте культуры. \nВ настоящее время Натали работает над кандидатской диссертацией по философии и эстетике изобразительного искусства в Институте докторских исследований в области визуальных искусств (IDSVA)\, расположенном в штате Мэн. Её исследование сосредоточено на пересечении политики и межкультурных художественных коллабораций. \nНатали является консультантом по международному образованию и бизнесу\, владеет галереей и активно занимается образовательной деятельностью в области искусства и философии. Она представляла свои работы\, посвящённые связям между искусством\, эстетикой и философией\, во время своих резиденций в Мексике и Италии\, а также в таких образовательных и культурных учреждениях\, как Университет Тампы\, Колледж Эккерд и Музей Изобразительных Искусств (MFA).
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/russian-speaking-tour-with-natalie-velez-the-alchemist/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,FREE for MFA Members
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Russian-Tour-Ali-Banisadr.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T005435
CREATED:20260319T200848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T012157Z
UID:10000603-1783015200-1783022400@mfastpete.org
SUMMARY:Book + Banisadr Book Club | Sound + Composition
DESCRIPTION:Book + Banisadr Book Club | Sound + Composition\nIn conjunction with Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist\, the MFA is proud to introduce the Book + Banisadr Book Club\, a three-part literary program that invites participants to immerse themselves into the complex\, turbulent worlds of Banisadr’s works through the lens of contemporary fiction that mimic the artist’s practice in both chaos and composure. \nHeld in partnership with Book + Bottle\, a beloved local independent bookstore and wine bar\, each session will focus on a thoughtfully selected book that echoes the figurative illusions rooted in autobiographical narratives\, sonic recollection\, invented stories\, world history\, collective memory\, and mythology embedded in the imagery of Ali Banisadr’s work. Through this one-of-a-kind pairing of literature and art\, historical themes will be reexamined against the dreadful\, real\, and unreal stories we tell ourselves. \nEach session will feature a specially paired wine and will be carefully facilitated to bridge the artworks in the exhibition to the relevant and resonant conversations shaping our society today. This month’s selection\, A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan\, is an award-winning\, genre-bending novel that follows interconnected lives across time\, exploring music\, memory\, and the deeply human pursuit of meaning\, redemption\, and connection. \n\nAli Banisadr is gifted with synesthesia; otherwise separate senses are linked – in this case color and sound. This ability translates into abstract landscapes rendered in vibrant colors\, a trait that links him to the art of Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944)\, who also experienced synesthesia. The restless surfaces of Banisadr’s paintings juxtapose competing sensibilities\, setting areas of orderly\, precise brushwork against energetic\, gestural ones. As indicated in the title of the exhibition\, the artist sees his paintings as an attempt to understand the innate chaos of the world. They do not reflect any specific conflict but rather express universal turmoil. \nBook + Banisadr Book Club | Sound + Composition \nThursday\, July 2\, 2026\n6:00 PM–8:00 PM\nMuseum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\n255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg FL 33701 \n$25 for Members; $35 for Not-Yet-Members \nTICKETS \nTickets include program and 1 glass of wine. Additional wine available for purchase. \nNot yet a member?\nBecome a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers! \nMFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year\, early access to special exhibitions\, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine\, special member-only exclusive events\, and more. Bring the whole family! \nBECOME A MEMBER \n\nAbout Book + Bottle\n \nBook + Bottle is a bottle shop\, an independent bookstore\, a coffee café\, and a wine bar all rolled into one exquisite little package. They have the most passionate\, friendly\, and helpful team in town to help you choose a book or a bottle or to take care of you and your friends on your night off. \nThey’re an independent\, woman-owned\, values-driven\, sustainably run\, local-first business that believes little kindnesses can make our community—and the world—a better place. \nAbout A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan\n \nNATIONAL BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE WINNER • With music pulsing on every page\, this startling\, exhilarating novel of self-destruction and redemption “features characters about whom you come to care deeply as you watch them doing things they shouldn’t\, acting gloriously\, infuriatingly human” (The Chicago Tribune). \nOne of the New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century • One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years • A Kirkus Reviews Best Fiction Book of the Century • A Los Angeles Times Best Fiction Book of the Last 30 Years \nBennie is an aging former punk rocker and record executive. Sasha is the passionate\, troubled young woman he employs. Here Jennifer Egan brilliantly reveals their pasts\, along with the inner lives of a host of other characters whose paths intersect with theirs. \n“Pitch perfect . . . Darkly\, rippingly funny . . . Egan possesses a satirist’s eye and a romance novelist’s heart.”—The New York Times Book Review \nSee ALL Book + Banisadr Book Club Dates and Times: \n\nMay 7\, 2026 @ 6 pm: Book + Banisadr Book Club | War + Apocalypse\nJune 4\, 2026 @ 6 pm: Book + Banisadr Book Club | Mythology + History\nJuly 2\, 2026 @ 6 pm: Book + Banisadr Book Club | Sound + Composition
URL:https://mfastpete.org/event/book-banisadr-book-club-3/
LOCATION:Museum of Fine Arts\, St. Petersburg\, 255 Beach Drive NE\, St. Petersburg\, FL\, 33701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Program,Educational Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mfastpete.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Ali-Banisadr-Book-Club.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR