Weekend Reflections: Imagine Museum, St Petersburg, Florida

Happy Fall!

Well… sort of. It still feels like summer here in West Central Florida, with daytime temps lingering in the mid-90s °F. Thankfully, the early mornings and evenings have started to cool down, dipping into the low 70s, which feels great. 

This past weekend, St. Pete hosted a Free Museum Day, with eight local museums participating. You can check out the full list here. The Imagine Museum offered free admission for two days instead of just one. We decided to skip the Saturday crowds and visit on Sunday instead—and it turned out to be a lovely day.

The Imagine Museum offers a truly breathtaking collection of contemporary glass art. Featuring works by artists from around the globe, the museum showcases a wide range of styles, techniques, and creative expressions in glass. We were amazed by the artistry and innovation on display — as you can see in the photos below. 

Before our visit, the only glass artist we were familiar with was Dale Chihuly. During our time at the museum, we learned a little more about him and his mentor, Lino Tagliapietra — a Venetian glass master whose influence can be seen in the exquisite glass boats that seem to float from the ceiling at the museum's entrance. These delicate, gondola-like forms are a stunning tribute to Venice’s rich glassblowing heritage and set the tone for the incredible experience that awaits inside.

glass boats hanging in the ceiling greet you at the entrance

Japanese glass art

Venetian glass

Chihuly's signature blown glass

Amazing number of Buddha heads

Next time you’re headed to the popular Clearwater Beach, consider making a quick detour to nearby St. Pete for an arts fix — the city is packed with amazing museums, including the Dali Museum and the Florida Holocaust Museum, just to name a couple. If you’re a fan of glass art, you’re in for a treat: the Imagine Museum and the Chihuly Collection are both must-visits. They’re just a few blocks apart, so it’s easy to see both in one trip. 

Fun fact: the Chihuly Collection is less than a mile from downtown St. Pete, and you can either walk or hop on the free Looper Trolley to get there.

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