Morean Arts Center

We had the pleasure of joining Matt in the Hot Shop for a Hot Date class on a Friday night after visiting the Chihuly exhibit. It was such a great experience and it really gave us an appreciation of the skill and physicality involved in creating glass artwork. Matt was a great instructor and was focused on fun and safety. We haven’t seen our final piece yet because it needs to rest a couple of days. I highly recommend and hope to do it again!

The free admission center displays all kinds of art creations by local and international artists. The center offers all kinds of art classes from photography, painting, drawing, metal work, jewelry, glass, and more for adults and kids. They have some open studios for budding artists to come in and create. Art openings occur about once a month. Memory mornings include tours focused on people with dementia and their caregivers to provide a focused, quieter visit to the center. I'm looking forward to the Jan 17 exhibit of pottery by Florida university students. Wheel chair access throughout. Heavy door at entrance. Wheel chair access parking with most spaces pay by app and a few free street spaces with a 2 hour limit.

Fun experience! With the price of admission you get to walk through the Chihuly exhibit and then are treated to (if you so choose) a glass blowing demonstration across the street. Very cool!

I took my first glass class making a pumpkin in the hot shop at Morean Art Center and it was so much fun! Kaylee and Matt were great instructors - very patient, motivational and kept us safe. I highly recommend the experience !

Love this local gem of an art gallery! Wonderful showcases to be seen here by some talented artists. Check out the talent they have when you can. I loved seeing some of the SHINE ON Festival Artists on display & capturing it in a creative, unique way with my glass spheres. Never a dull moment of creative viewing at this charming establishment with friendly staff! I'm excited to see what future shows they offer to the public & and the majority of the time is free. I've even been to a cupcake contest and tasting here! I highly recommend it!

We were able to visit and view a glass blowing demonstration by several of the professional artists at the Morean Arts Ctr as part of our entry and visit of the Chihuly Gallery. Very cool. There is also a shop to purchase items made by artists at the Center.

Came for the glass blowing demo not knowing what to expect, but I was BLOWN away (pun intended)!! The experience was super informative while still being so much fun to just sit back and watch. The store front has many beautiful pieces for sale as well.

I wasn't sure if I would like this museum, but I was blown away. The colours of the glass, the forms, and most of all the sizes of the pieces. what a great place to visit. I recommend that you take the time to see the video, as it explains how difficult some of these pieces were to create.

Morean Art Center is a free art gallery in Central Ave. You can browse the exhibits and this location is perfect when walking around to adore the art as well as get some a/c or escape the rain when it's raining. It's a great spot. They also have classes for art here. The art projects/classes are for the kids, as well as camps. They appear to be free also, but u Have to sign up. That's a great way to get some activities for the kiddos. These are held on Saturdays. They also have a Morean Art of Clay, Glass, and The Chihuly Collection. Those are separate locations. The Chihuly has a fee, and I'm not sure about the Clay and Glass. I still have I check those out. But there's so much art in St. Pete, & I sure love it! This Morean Art Center also has a gift shop so perhaps you can find something you would like to buy here also.

This is a small art gallery that has some unique pieces. I just wish it was a little bit bigger, but it features some local artists which is nice. They were undergoing some renovations when I went so hopefully it's done by now. You can get free admission to this gallery from purchasing entry to the Chihuly Collection right across the street. It also includes a free demo of glass blowing around the corner at the Morean Glass Studio that starts every hour! Overall, I probably wouldn't visit this place by itself, but would incorporate it with others activities.

Great place to entertain your inner artist.. they offer art classes at all levels and lots of things to encourage the artist within. If you are looking to support Local artists, there are lots of options.. Ypu can take glass classes, jewelry making , all kinds if neat stuff.. Check it out..

We stopped by this art center just after the glass blowing exhibition. This art center has free admission, which was a very nice surprise. We found many of the local artist paintings to be very interesting and would recommend this for a visit by anyone. Free is very, very good to me.

We walked through the art gallery with lots of beautiful blown glass for sale and saw the very crowded blown glass demonstration. We've seen a lot of blown glass demonstrations so It wasn't that special but it was pretty awesome to be where Chihuly worked & started out.

We had been to the awesome Chihuly Collection, then walked to the nearby Morean Art Center to browse and shop. They have beautiful, unique, reasonably priced pieces but we had seen a vase by a local vendor at The Chihuly Collection that we liked so we went back and bought it.

If you are spending at least 2 days in St. Petersburg, I highly recommend that you: tour the Chihuly Collection on Central Ave. The ticket also gives you an entrance to watch a glass blowing demonstration at Morean Arts Center located across the street. While waiting for the demonstration to begin, you can view local Artists displaying their creations inside the Art Center. Walk around the exterior of the building to enter the Glass Studio to get to the demonstration. Enter through the Sales Shop where you can purchase glass objects hand blown by a variety of Glass Blowing Artists. The Blowing demonstration is pretty awesome to watch if you've never seen glass being blown and transformed into an object. The demo lasts about 1 hour. However, to increase your exposure to Glass Blowing, book a personal one on one Glass Blowing Class! I added Glass Blowing to my bucket list and took a Class. Don't worry if you have no experience, I did not. The instructor will guide you through the entire process. I created a green and blue swirl sculpture. The Class is about 30 minutes. The reason for the 2 day visit, your creation needs time to cool down for at least 24 hours. They can ship it to you if your visit is less than 1 day in St. Pete.

The Morean Arts Center houses a gallery, a gift shop and classrooms. It is adjacent to the the "Morean Glass Studio & Hotshop" (http://www.yelp.com/biz/morean-glass-studio-and-hotshop-st-petersburg). If you are doing the Morean tour (St. Petersburg Arts Experience*), your ticket will include entry to the Morean Arts Center and the Hotshop. The cool thing about the tour ticket, is that you have 30 days to visit the four locations (however you can only visit each location once). There is the Chihuly Collection (http://www.yelp.com/biz/morean-arts-center-st-petersburg), there is the "Morean Arts Center" (http://www.yelp.com/biz/morean-arts-center-st-petersburg-3), there is the "Morean Glass Studio & Hotshop" (http://www.yelp.com/biz/morean-glass-studio-and-hotshop-st-petersburg), and there is the "Morean Center for Clay" (http://www.yelp.com/biz/morean-center-for-clay-st-petersburg). On the day of our visit (Thursday 1/10/2013) the gallery was being set up for a new exhibit, so the only thing we could do was browse the gift shop and look at the children's art that hung in the hallway to the door that leads to the hotshop. * We found a $2 off coupon for the St. Petersburg Arts Experience in one of the local Welcome Guide-Map brochures.

What a nice find in the middle of st Petersburg downtown. Chihuly one of my favorite artists and so to have a wonderful exhibit in St Petersburg is very special. Go in their small theater and watch the clips. They have several on his different works. Then walk down the block to the glass blowing demonstration. The guys were great explaining step be step. The shops had many beautiful pieces to purchase.

Morean Art Center is a beacon of artistic influence and professionalism for the Tampa Bay art community. Situated in downtown St Petersburg, on Central Avenue, Morean is an anchor for all of the other galleries in the area. The beautiful multiplex red building with two perfectly placed palm trees in front. To be honest, I my mind was blown when I entered the downstairs fine art gallery--- that is not only free, but perfectly curated with some of the best fine art I have seen in the last ten years. The art is current, energetic, and contagious. Also, works are pleasantly affordable. I don't ask for much from a gallery; regular hours, air conditioning, enough space to walk around, donation only, and clean. Morean has all of that and more, I am hooked for life. Is it a gallery, an art museum, an "art center?" Does it matter? It just makes me happy and inspired. "Leave a Message" was the themed collection that I was able to visit on the Second Saturday Art Walk in DTSP, and I am still obsessed and thinking on the daily about the piece I saw from Tes One, freakin' genius. Tampa Bay artists have blown me away. Talent people, talent. So many different art classes to choose from as well, just wish I had more time to take them all.

I've been here a couple of times already either to view the featured artwork here or taking a workshop class. Each time I went was during Saint Pete's monthly gallery night. The building is relatively decent for an art gallery/school. It's located right on Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. I don't really have much to say as I am not a student here. Just a visitor and admirer of the arts. The staff here are friendly and helpful if you have any questions depending on what you're doing there. I would probably visit this place a few more times as it is conveniently within walking distance of all the other areas I tend to visit in downtown Saint Pete. This is especially true for gallery night. If they have a few more interesting art workshops available, you might see me there.

--- Short Synopsis --- A large variety of art in a building with a nice, red exterior look. I spent around ~30 minutes here browsing the artwork and the attached retail store. In retrospect, I would only come here in conjunction with taking a class here or being next door visiting the Morean Glass Studio and Hotshop. --- Summary --- Being situated right next to the Morean Glass Studio and Hotshop, my girlfriend and I decided to come by after the hotshop demonstration. This place does not require admission like the hot shop and Chihuly collection, which was $5 for both on their 5th anniversary sale this past weekend (July 11th - 12th). This free art center has a nice, red, modern looking exterior. The artwork inside has a large variety and some of it is interesting. I prefer the glass studio next door and the Chihuly collection. I just wish there was more, but I can't really ask for much with the free admission. I was also able to see some of the classes they do. The listing is located by the main entrance of the building. They have painting, glass, clay, youth, etc. It was cool to see what they offered, but most of the classes are more than $100. As stated in the short synopsis, I would only come here if I was taking a class here or was already here because of Morean Glass Studio and Hotshop, which is next door. Nothing too special to bring me just to look at the displayed artwork.

Always enjoy wondering through this cultural gem in downtown St. Petersburg and recently had the added pleasure of attending its 98th Annual Members Show. The exhibit offers nearly 250 works of art created by members of the Morean Arts Center. It is a fascinating display of various art forms including painting, photography, jewelry, glass, clay, mixed media and more, and an intriguing variety of artistic expressions that ranged from playful to serious. It was impressive to see so much really outstanding talent and satisfying to experience what creative minds can conjure up. The arts center offers classes, events and exhibits that are held here throughout the year and it is a great resource for this area. Even if you are not artistically inclined, like me, you can still applaud these talented artists by purchasing their art. In this case, visitors could select from the member works displayed in a section near the entrance to the arts center or from any of the exhibited pieces. Be sure to check out the neighboring Glass & Studio & Hot Shop where handblown glass is created, demonstrated and sold, with some pieces offered at extremely affordable prices. And later this year, the Chihuly Collection, a gallery featuring a permanent collection of artist Dale Chihuly's glass, is expected to move into its new home across the street from the Morean Arts Center which will add even more class to the glass featured at these fine cultural facilities.

What an amazing exhibit of Chihuly glass. You don't want to miss the live glass blowing. Well worth the money and do take time to walk around the area there is art everywhere .

What a great addition to our community! We visited today as part of Free Museum Day after visiting the Chihuly Collection across the street. While the exhibits aren't huge and impressive the concept IS; we both took information in upcoming glass and clay classes; they offer very reasonably priced classes in several principles. Be sure to visit the glass studio located outside around the corner from the Children's Studio... amazing local work at reasonable prices.

We visited the hot shop came after going to the Chihuly Museum and was thrilled to watch a 45 minute entertaining demo where they made a candy dish. They showed the whole process and it was beautiful. There was a shop next door that had so many beautiful pieces in a variety of colors and sizes. I really wanted to purchase all of them but I had no place for it.

I am a local and a member. The Morean is the real thing in the definition of Arts Centers. The Morean embodies community, art, the arts and self expression. Good Stuff!!

Free admission to the Hot Shop came with our ticket admission to the Chihuly Museum so we walked over to see the demo. Two artisans put on roughly a 45 minute demo of how to make a candy dish from start to finish. I'm familiar with the glass blowing/glass production process but the instructor did a nice job of explaining each step, the tools, the process, safety, etc. The attached store also has a nice selection of works produced by artists who work at the shop. We really enjoyed this supplemental display, especially prior to seeing the finished product of a world renowned artist. Cheers.

I just finished a Jewelry making class with Brenda and it was AMAZING!!! I can't wait to take the next class!

I love the opportunities the Morean Art Center hosts. I am a budding writer and at the Center, there is a myriad of classes geared to writing everything from poetry to fiction. Recently one of the participants in the Fiction Writing group for beta reading celebrated his first publication. They have classes for blowing glass, photography, and more. The Art Center provides classes for children and even a summer art camp. Hanging on the entry wall is more than two dozen class opportunities for seniors, children, it would be easier to say, 'Open to the public'. Along with the classes they host, they have a dynamic art gallery which is and ever-changing. Their gift shop is filled with creative items such as trinkets and art from their students and teachers. I recommend becoming a member or a donor of the Morean Art Center. If you have a skill you hope to develop there is probably a class for it with a facilitator who has the knowledge and skill to bring out your best.

We visited the "Hot Shop" for a glass blowing demonstration. It was extremely impressive and neat to watch! We had two people doing the demonstration. One of them actually worked on the glass while the other did a full very knowledgeable commentary on everything that was happening. We pretty much watched the whole thing with our jaws dropped. It is a good thing they were too busy to look up at us. In a short period of time, our demonstrator transformed a blob of hot glass into a beautiful vase with a swirly pattern and "ruffled" top. Incredible! I only wish that I could afford the pieces that they have for sale. After seeing the demonstration though, I do believe that they are appropriately priced. These Gentleman are talented. I would recommend visiting the hot shop for a show.

I took a glass blowing class it was so much fun i never thought i would get to do this wonderful art. I am so excited to go back and pick up my work. After you are done they kiln fire your work and you pick it up the next day. Love this entire experience.

Wow! Saw glass show and how its made. Great pieces inside to view and purchase! Madee my vacation in St Pete even better.

This place was really cool. I really enjoyed the Chihuly collection and seeing all the different works of art. I also went to the Hot Shop where they showed the glass sculpture demo.

This is my favorite place to shop for gifts. They never disappoint with their selection. Unique items that are always appreciated.

The glass-blowing demonstration was one of the most fascinating things I've ever seen. The people who make the glass pieces are true artists and I loved seeing a glass bowl taking shape from start to finish. The admission cost also got us into the art gallery, which had some lovely and thought-provoking pieces. A St. Pete treasure!

Excellent gassworking demonstration! The Morean Art Center is a small museum which wasn't especially interesting except for the classes it offers -- I wish we lived nearby to take advantage of them. The thing that makes me give it a top rating was the hour-long glassworking demo they did. I've seen glassworking (including at Corning and Murano) many times, but this was the best demo by far. It was done by two people, with the assistant doing the narration -- understandable because the woman doing the actual job was *very* busy. They did a pretty significant piece and explained very clearly each step, including what they were doing and why. (It was semi outdoors, so it was comfortable in March, but it might be challenging in the summer.)

My husband and I spent the weekend in St Pete. Friday night we went to The Morean Arts Center, "Hot Date at the Hot Shop." Our teacher, David was fantastic and very informative. This is a real hands on experience. It's hot and your working with molten glass. David explained every step we were going to do before we participated. We were given a selection of items that we could choose to make, and the colors of our choice. We switched off between our partners in transitions made smooth with David's help. Amazing experience. We returned the next day to collect our glob of glass turned into art. We were able to watch one of the daily demonstrations. David was narrating the demonstration while working with artist Pauli. David is the smooth speed to Pauli's strength. To watch these professional artists creating a beautiful piece of art was an amazing experience. I highly recommend this fun experience to any one.

The feeling you get when you walk into an unpretentious gallery. The ability to admire art without feeling clueless. I got to actually speak to some of the artists during the Shine festival. Keep keeping it real Morean.

Came here on a weekday between exhibitions, which was great. Besides the artists setting up, we had the place to ourselves. Seeing the art in its "raw" form, instead of hung or displayed, was really neat. Paintings and collages on the floor, chairs covered in broken/found/sparkly items, and random elements all over made this one of my favorite art adventures in recent memory. Perhaps my favorite was the children's artwork display. Love that St. Petersburg has this kind of organization.

Really enjoyed checking out the galleries here. The space was much larger than I expected from the outside. Mixed quality, but we liked the variety of art that was on display.

The building looks state from the outside but we got some mixed signals inside. The gift shop sells local artists' wares of varying quality but mostly high prices. One person said this gallery is free while another said your multi-gallery pass covers the admission. (We were told only the Hot Studio and Chihully actually charged a fee. We had the combo ticket for $20 for both within 30 days. We understood this gallery and the clay gallery could be seen 'free".) We were not impressed with the quality of art work in any of the galleries. There was a photograph show and a juried painting show. Several of the walls and benches had scuff marks lending an appearance of less than being kept up with . There was an attached unused restaurant in disarray that looked like storage. We did not feel we were in a place that was a "class act". We did not take or tour classrooms. We are being generous with a third star when we did not really get that vibe.

We did the hot date in the hot shop. We really had fun with it, as did the other couples there. David does a nice job explaining and moving you safely around the hot glass. $125 is pricey, but, well....we made it into a great date DAY and NIGHT! Walked around St Pete, early meal and wine at the 400....toured the Chihuly exhibit. ( oh I was so inspired to go make something incredible!) And now we have our cool little glass thing with this great memory.

I have been to several Art Walks in this city, this is my lease favorite one. Did not care for the art, I did like the glass blowing. Staff wasn't very friendly or inviting. I will not be back.