The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg Chihuly Collection Perched on the downtown waterfront adjacent to the bustling St. Pete Pier, the museum boasts the only encyclopedic collection of works in Florida, spanning nearly 5,000 years and including a robust photography selection. Rotating exhibitions also range eras and interests. THREE TO SEE: In the permanent collec-tion, look for Old Masters paintings from the 1600-1700s from the Grasset Collec-tion ; contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley’s “Leviathan Zodiac” (“The World Stage: Israel”), 2011 ; and Georgia O’Keeffe’s iconic painting, “Poppy,” 1927. THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, ST. PETERSBURG Gallery . The Jewel Box is an intimate gallery at the heart of the museum showcasing brilliant Native-made jewelry. Seek out Earl Biss’ panoramic painting, “Winter Sunrise Circle of the Big Sky People,” and Shonto Begay’s contemplative “Composing My World” in the Native Artists Gallery . the Morean Glass Studio and Hot Shop, located right across Central Avenue. THREE TO SEE: A 20-foot site-specific installation resembling rock candy greets visitors from the street. Every year, three Studio Edition glass sculptures , hand-blown and signed by Chihuly, are offered to collectors. The collection includes some of his most popular pieces, including the spectacular “Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier,” which was created for the collection. Contemporary glass art by American and international artists is on dazzling display at this museum in the buzzy Grand Central District. Its collection boasts more than 500 pieces and includes many works by the museum’s founder. THREE TO SEE: In 2026, the museum named Czech Republic-born artist Martin Janecký as its Artist of the Future; look for any of his 14 pieces in the collection. Admire Toots Zynsky’s filet-de-verre technique with her verdant “Fogliame Mizimah.” Anthony James’ “Portal Icosahe-dron” is a mind-boggling sculpture made with LED lights and mirrors. IMAGINE MUSEUM With its stunning imported sandstone façade, the museum brings the imagery of the American West to Central Avenue and is just blocks from the waterfront. Its vast private collection features bronze sculptures and paintings of cowboys, Native American life, landscapes and animals and contemporary art created by living Western and Native American artists. THREE TO SEE: Discover the works of sculptor Frederic Remington and photogra-pher Edward S. Curtis in the Early West THE JAMES MUSEUM OF WESTERN & WILDLIFE ART The first museum in the world dedicated to the American Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, at 137,000 square feet, it’s the largest in the city. The five-story downtown museum showcases pottery, furniture, metalwork, lighting and photography from the preemi-nent private collection of the movement. THREE TO SEE: The building is an architec-tural triumph with a modern exterior clad in granite and bronze and an egg-shaped ovoid structure. Step into The Culbertson Hall , a reinstallation of the entry hall from a home designed by Greene and Greene in Pasadena, California, in the early 1900s. The dining room vignette offers a complete picture of a Craftsman-style dining room, from the furniture and lighting to the table setting. VISITSPC.COM 65 MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN ARTS & CRAFTS MOVEMENT One of only two museums dedicated to the living legend glass artist Dale Chihuly, it’s unique in that the building was designed specifically for his artwork. It’s presented by the Morean Arts Center and admission includes a glassblowing demonstration at CHIHULY COLLECTION
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