March 29, 2024

artcasso

Super Art is Almost

Cool Art Show returns to the Coliseum in St. Petersburg

A longtime tradition in St. Petersburg’s art scene is back after a pandemic-induced hiatus. The Cool Art Show returns to the air-conditioned oasis of the Coliseum on July 24-25.

The show is presented by the artist-run non-profit the Professional Association of Visual Artists (PAVA), which formed in 1988. Shortly after their formation, the idea to have an indoor art show similar to outdoor art festivals was born. After moving around to various venues, in 2005 the Cool Art Show put down roots at the Coliseum.

“PAVA is very excited about returning to the Coliseum,” Christina Paluszek-McClure, PAVA’s vice president and publicity/marketing chairperson, said in an email. “The Cool Art Show is our signature event and one that both our artists and patrons really look forward to every year. Not being able to have it take place last year left a void in all of us, and our artists are really thrilled to be able to have it again this year to show and sell all the new artwork they have been creating throughout the past year.”

As a way to pivot during the pandemic, in September the PAVA opened a gallery in Dunedin. The gallery, aptly named the Cool Art Shop, showcases the work of its members.

Related: New Cool Art gallery opens in Dunedin

This year’s juried show features about 60 Florida artists working in paint, wood, ceramics, photography, metal, glass, fiber, digital, mixed media and jewelry.

A flame box elder vessel by artist John Mascoll, one of the artists exhibiting in the Cool Art Show at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg July 24-25, 2021.
A flame box elder vessel by artist John Mascoll, one of the artists exhibiting in the Cool Art Show at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg July 24-25, 2021. [ RUDOLPH LOPEZ | Courtesy of PAVA ]

In anticipation of the show, a preview exhibition runs from July 7-17 at the Cool Art Shop (1240 County Road 1, Dunedin), with a reception on Friday from 4-8 p.m. An “encore” show happens there July 28-Aug.14. The gallery is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

If you go

Free admission and parking. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 25. 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. pava-artists.org.