Museum of Fine Arts (St. Petersburg, Florida) facts for kids
The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida is a super cool place where you can explore art from all over the world and different times in history! It was started by an art lover named Margaret Acheson Stuart and first opened its doors in 1965. The museum building itself is a work of art, designed to feel strong and lasting.
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| Established | 1965 |
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| Location | 255 Beach Drive NE Saint Petersburg, Florida |
| Type | Art |
| Public transit access | downtown Looper Trolley |
Discovering the Museum's Past
The Museum of Fine Arts, often called the MFA, was created by a wonderful art collector and generous helper named Margaret Acheson Stuart. She loved art so much that she wanted to share it with everyone. There's even a special group that supports the museum, named after her!
The city of St. Petersburg gave the museum a beautiful spot right by the water. A group called The Junior League of St. Petersburg also helped a lot with a big main hall inside. The building was designed by John Volk, who wanted it to look strong and permanent.
The MFA first opened its doors in 1965. It was the very first art museum in St. Petersburg! In 2008, the museum got much bigger. A new part called the Hazel Hough wing was added. This made more space for amazing art.
In June 2022, a talented artist from the Bahamas, Gio Swaby, had a special show at the museum. Her art celebrated Black women. The museum has a huge collection of art. It covers over 5,000 years of human history! You can see works by famous artists like Monet. There are also important pieces from Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Amazing Art Exhibitions
The Museum of Fine Arts often hosts exciting art shows. These exhibitions bring different types of art to St. Petersburg. Here are some of the cool shows the museum has featured:
- Chihuly Across Florida: Masterworks in Glass (2004) – This show featured incredible glass sculptures.
- Monet’s London, Artists’ Reflections on the Thames, 1859–1914 (2005) – You could see how artists like Monet painted London.
- Ancient Egypt: Art and Magic, Treasures from the Fondation Gandur Pour l’Art/Geneva (2011–2012) – This exhibition brought ancient Egyptian treasures to life.
- Moon Museum: Art and Outer Space (2018) – A unique look at art inspired by space.
- Syd Solomon: Views From Above (2018-2019) – Showcasing art with a bird's-eye view.
- Art of the Stage: Picasso to Hockney (2020) – Exploring how art is used in theater.
- From Margins to Mainstays: Highlights from the Photography Collection (2021) – A journey through amazing photographs.
- Explore the Vaults: Cabinet Pictures and Works on Paper (2022) – Discovering hidden gems from the museum's storage.
- True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism (2023) – Featuring sculptures by Rodin and other Impressionist artists.
