St. Petersburg Festival (SPF) returns this fall boasting even more art and fun. This year's festivities will kickoff with the Shine Mural Fest (September 1-10). The event showcases the very best in St. Pete's street art, the muralists behind these works have been the driving force behind so much of the city's national coverage over the last year. There is now an open call to local artists for the festival this year. This is a fabulous opportunity for any local resident looking to leave their mark on their Burg. Click HERE to apply.
The finalist will be selected based on criteria such as visual impact of design, and experience creating similar large-scale works. Submission deadline is July 11, 2016, and the chosen artist or team will be notified in August, receiving a $1,000 stipend plus approved supply and equipment expenses related to the project.
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*Photo via SHINE St. Pete. Mural by Chad Mize
Scott Brainard, Co-Chair of the Suncoaster’s Festival Committee states, “We celebrate the arts and we encourage the business community to embrace SPF16 and engage the arts in their day-to-day businesses.”
“This is an opportunity for the entire city’s arts and cultural scene to shine for residents, tourists and the travel industry as a whole. It is a great way to bring new visitors to the city and a great way to highlight our artists and arts organizations to prospective visitors, media and residents” states Wayne Atherholt, director of the Office of Cultural Affairs.
John Collins Executive Director of the Arts Alliance adds, “We ask our arts and cultural organizations that are producing programs in September to contact us now. We will see how the events fit the festival’s schedule of fine arts, performing arts and family festival events.”
The Festival will continue with weekly spotlights on local and national artists creating beautiful pieces in the Burg. On September 24, the Central Avenue Solstice returns. The event, which takes over all of Central Avenue in the Burg, features live music, sunrise yoga, tons of local noms, a sunset film in the park and more! Specific details are forthcoming. Follow Central Avenue Solstice on Facebook for updates as we get closer to the event.
Most exciting is the grand finale to the month long festival. Earlier in 2015, St. Pete was buzzing after the announcement that the Chihuly Collection would be moving from its current location on Beach Drive to a new development on Central Avenue and 7th Street North. The space offers more room for permanent and rotating exhibits, events, and expanded parking. The Chihuly's Grand Opening will close out the festival in early fall.
Specifc dates and events will be announced in the months to come.
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