Morean Arts Center

The Morean Arts Center (formerly known as The Arts Center) in St. Petersburg, Florida displays works by local, national and international artists. Past displays have included artists' works by Jasper Johns, Duncan McClellan, Allison Massari, Peter Max, Babs Reingold and Jun Kaneko. Art classes are also offered. The Morean Arts Center is located at 719 Central Avenue, with two additional exhibits in St. Petersburg: the Chihuly Collection, located at 720 Central Avenue, and the Morean Center for Clay, located at 420 22nd Street South.[2]

Morean Arts Center
Location in Florida
Established1917 (1917)
Location719 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, Florida
Coordinates27.77120°N 82.64433°W / 27.77120; -82.64433
TypeArt museum
DirectorRoger Ross, interim (2016)[1]
CuratorAmanda Cooper
Websitewww.moreanartscenter.org

History

The Morean Arts Center, with roots dating back to 1917 as the Art Club of St. Petersburg, focuses on an innovative, community-oriented approach to art and art education. Classes and outreach programs are designed to bring out the artist in all of us. The Morean offers adult programs, kids’ programs, family programs, early childhood programs, and summer camp programs, attracting beginners and advanced students alike. Primary outreach programs are geared towards youth - many of whom are at risk.

The Bank of America Children’s Learning Center is located at the Morean as well as the Glass Studio & Hot Shop. The Glass Studio & Hotshop provides working space for glass artists, audience seating to watch glassblowing in action, and teaching facilities for studio classes and workshops. Visitors can also try glassblowing themselves and purchase original glass art created by local and regional artists in the Hot Shop retail store.

The Morean Center for Clay moved to a renovated space at the Historic Train Station in 2009. Built as the Seaboard Train Station in 1926, this historic building now houses studios for 42 working artists, 6 accomplished Artists-in-Residence, two rotating galleries, classrooms, and a beautiful, 3,500 sq/ft event space. On the grounds, there is a large kiln complex, complete with: 4 (four) wood kilns, 2 (two) gas kilns, and a soda kiln. Visitors are welcome to tour the facility, Tuesday through Saturday. There are also hands-on activities and historic tours available by appointment only.

The Chihuly Collection, presented by the Morean Arts Center, is a permanent collection of artist Dale Chihuly’s artwork in a 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) setting designed by award-winning architect Alberto Alfonso. The Collection includes large-scale works such as Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier created specifically for the Collection and many popular series works such as Tumbleweeds.[3] The building includes a retail store with a wide variety of Chihuly merchandise. In August 2016, the collection relocated from 400 Beach Drive to 720 Central Avenue, adjacent to the Morean Arts Center.[1]

Glass robbery

On the morning of February 8, 2016, employees at the Chihuly Collection found that a small piece, "Cobalt and Lavender Piccolo Venetian with Gilded Handles", had been stolen. The piece is valued at $25,000. The next morning the vessel was dropped off in the entryway of the Morean Arts Center; it had been wrapped in bubble warp and placed in a box.[4][5]

Creating Virtually

During the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic, the Morean Arts Center has needed to adapt, and is offering a few different programs to inspire creativity in the comfort of your own homes. They have started two YouTube Channels. The first is for creative writing prompts, where they have approximately 10 writing prompts up. You can tag them on social media with a hastag (#morean #prompt) once you've completed the prompt. The second channel is for their "Saturdays @ the Morean" program that they now host virtually. Here they share stories and art pieces. This is program is directed towards children. Finally, they have two virtual tours, hosted by assistant curators of the Morean Arts Center. [6]

Footnotes
  1. "Morean Arts Center sets closing date for Chihuly Collection". Tbnweekly.com. July 11, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  2. "Morean Arts Center | About the Morean". www.moreanartscenter.org. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  3. "Morean Arts Center | Chihuly Collection". www.moreanartscenter.org. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  4. Steve Nichols (February 9, 2016). "Stolen sculpture found; dropped off at gallery". Fox13news.com. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  5. Zachary T. Sampson (February 9, 2016). "Morean Arts employee finds box with glass art stolen in Chihuly Collection heist". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  6. "Create with the Morean Virtually". Morean Arts Center. Arts Center Association. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
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