The Museum of Fine Arts is a cultural gem in the Sunshine City. That really goes without saying. In 2020, Museum officials have upped their gallery game with an immersive, exciting new exhibition that takes visitors behind the scenes of some of the finest works for performance art.

For “Art of the Stage” the MFA has literally constructed a stage in its exhibition — and it will play host to visiting acts such as The Florida Orchestra, the Sarasota Ballet, and Detroit-based Sphinx Virtuosi.

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Prepare to be dazzled by Art of the Stage

The exhibition itself is a dazzling sprawl of costuming, stage design from the likes of Picasso, props and attire as imagined by Matisse, and original paper cuts and wardrobes from Robert Indiana.

In Indiana’s section of the exhibition, guests will find costumes for Susan B. Anthony and other suffragettes. This representation feels timely as 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote.

Upon entering “Art of the Stage” you’ll come across a zinc cut shadow puppet. The tiny figure is etched with delicate. details that, when set against a bright light, emerges as a fully realized, three dimensional being on the wall.

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Movie in the park paired with a live music performance

Another section of the exhibition pays homage to silent films. On my visit, “Aelita: Queen of Mars” was playing. That film is also set to be a part of a special outdoor screening at the Museum with the score performed live by La Lucha. That event will take place on both Friday, April 17 and Sunday, April 19. Full details can be found on The MFA’s website.

Love opera? A pure operatic performance can send chills down the spine and mine your emotional depths. Renowned performer Ashley Thunder is set to perform opera in the gallery February 6, March 5, April 2, May 7.

Enjoy the clash of natural elegance and female rebellion, with selections from French and Russian composers. Featuring two great area musicians: operatic talent Ashley Thunder and pianist virtuoso Violet Mandese! A highlight will be Les Mamelles de Tiresias, a spectacular song of women’s liberation and the ability to let their voices be heard.

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Detroit-based chamber orchestra performs at The MFA

One of the most exhilarating programs happening at The Museum in the coming months is the residency of the Sphinx Virtuosi.

The Sphinx Virtuosi are the nation’s most dynamic, exhilarating professional chamber orchestra, dedicated to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in classical music. Comprised of eighteen of the nation’s top Black and Latinx classical soloists, the Virtuosi are alumni of the internationally renowned Sphinx Competition, and its members work together as cultural ambassadors reaching new audiences.

The chamber orchestra will perform at the Museum of Fine Arts on February 21 from 7-9pm.

Cinema also has a home at “Art of the Stage.” A powerful selection of silent films, “Make More Noise,” will tell the story of the Suffragette movement.

Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment 

This selection of silent films from the British Film Institute National Archive shows how suffragettes were portrayed on the cinema screen while their battles were still being waged on the streets outside.

The suffragettes’ tactic was to stand up at every public event and cry ‘votes for women!’ As leader Emmeline Pankhurst said in her legendary speech of November 1913: ‘You have to make more noise than anybody else, you have to make yourself more obtrusive than anybody else, you have to fill all the papers more than anybody else. In fact you have to be there all the time and see that they do not snow you under.’

Want a full view of all that’s happening? Follow Museum of Fine Arts on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

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More events to keep on your radar

Here are a few other events to keep on your radar:

Feb. 5 — The Florida Orchestra Performs at The MFA

Feb. 11 — Designing the Stage with Katherine Pill

Feb. 20 — Cocktails and Collections: Tour of “Art of the Stage”

March 5 — Film Screening – Satyricon (1969) – Ancient Theater & the Cinema

“Art of the Stage” will be on view at The Museum of Fine arts through May 10. The Museum of Fine Arts is located at 255 Beach Drive Northeast.