Stepping into Fairgrounds St. Pete is like entering another dimension. As you listen to the welcoming spiel within the massive Factory building, a sense of delightful disorientation washes over you. This isn’t your typical art exhibit; it’s an interactive journey where almost everything is touchable, photographable, and designed to ignite your imagination. Just remember the golden rule: admire, engage, but don’t dismantle! And of course, share your adventures on Instagram and tag @FairgroundsStPete to join the vibrant online community.
The experience begins with a mesmerizing road projection swirling on the wall, leading you towards a green highway sign that reads “Mermaid Star Motel.” This initial scene sets the stage for a whimsical adventure, reminiscent of a haunted house, but filled with playful spirits rather than spooky specters. It evokes the nostalgic feeling of escaping to a tropical paradise, a sentiment perhaps once felt by snowbirds flocking to Florida’s sunny shores.
Stepping inside, the world outside fades away as tinted windows plunge you into perpetual twilight. The first encounter is the Pepto-Bismol pink motel room of the Mermaid Star Motel. A bed and an overflowing suitcase hint at vacation escapades, while a rotary phone on the nightstand beckons interaction with pleasant beeps and blips. It’s a quintessential vacation scene, yet a map on the wall introduces an element of surreal mystery. Yarn connects news articles, hurricanes, panthers, and question marks, suggesting an underlying narrative waiting to be unraveled.
Unraveling the mystery at Fairgrounds St. Pete: An interactive detective board invites exploration and storytelling.
For those familiar with St. Petersburg, Florida, the inspiration behind Fairgrounds St. Pete becomes clear. It’s a celebration of the sugar-sand beaches and seashell kitsch that define Florida’s unique charm. The exhibit captures the sun-struck fantasy that drew many to the Sunshine State, offering a playful, sometimes nostalgic, take on Florida’s identity. However, for locals, the Mermaid Star Motel’s hyper-sweet aesthetic might trigger a different kind of nostalgia – a yearning for a perhaps less sanitized, more authentic St. Pete. This duality, this mix of charm and subtle unease, is part of the magic of Fairgrounds St. Pete.
Dive into the pink dreamscape of the Mermaid Star Motel at Fairgrounds St. Pete, where nostalgia meets playful art.
Moving on, the hotel lobby features a brochure cabinet and a pink-vested attendant by a guest book, adding to the immersive hotel experience. Brochures advertise fantastical destinations like “Dino Domain” and “Florida Strawberry Soiree,” blurring the line between reality and imagination. A coffee table book reveals articles about “Hurricane Felix,” a fictional category five storm, interwoven with real and fabricated news snippets of panther sightings, UFOs, Florida Men antics, and alligator escapades, including a “Break-In at the Mermaid Star Motel.” This curated alternate universe blends amusement and bewilderment, drawing visitors deeper into the Fairgrounds St. Pete narrative.
Step into the lobby of dreams at Fairgrounds St. Pete, where every detail tells a story and imagination knows no bounds.
The next room presents a pool projected onto the ceiling, blinking eyes hidden in bushes, and a pink Roseate Spoonbill sculpture. Sitting in a white plastic pool chair, the question arises: how does our personal history shape our perception of this dreamlike space? The absence of QR codes for art piece information adds to the sense of mystery, prompting visitors to ponder whose vision of Florida they are encountering.
Further exploration reveals the artists behind these captivating installations. Flora-Da-Scope, the Florida-themed kaleidoscope in the pool room, is the creation of Aleisha Prather, Alex Kaufman, and George Retkes. Matthew Campbell is the artist behind Dialogical Analogs in Chlorine, the upside-down pool reflecting the visitor’s own disorientation back at them.
Reflections and disorientation converge in Matthew Campbell’s “Dialogical Analogs in Chlorine” at Fairgrounds St. Pete.
Turning a corner leads unexpectedly into the gift shop, a humorous twist that underscores the commercial aspect of Florida attractions. It’s a playful self-awareness, highlighting the “tacky” charm often associated with Florida souvenirs. However, quickly realizing the premature detour, visitors are drawn back to discover more of the Fairgrounds St. Pete experience.
The journey continues with Ballet of the Final Anthozoans, an infinity room of mirrors and coral by the Overgrown collective: Tina Piracci, KJ Wu, Adam Hutz, and Barrak Darweesh. The Strawberry Room, a tantalizing tribute to Plant City’s strawberries, is brought to life by artists Macy Higgins and Emiliano Settecasi. Joshua Hall’s Alley Gator 3030 (AG3030) invites brave passage through an alligator’s mouth, while Fernando Diaz’s interactive CAT5 engages visitors in a hide-and-seek game with hidden felines and construction equipment. Chris Parks’ Temple of Cosmic Balance offers a moment of contemplative respite with its cryptic mantra and stained-glass altar, a departure from the overt Florida themes, yet fitting within the overall whimsical narrative.
However, the FLORIDARAMA dioramas are where the exhibit truly captivates with a potent dose of Florida nostalgia. These miniature worlds evoke childhood memories of school trips to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve or visits to the Shell Factory and Nature Park. Jonathan Schork’s The Vermin Bar & Grill features cockroaches playing cards, Mark Mitchell’s Fountain of Youth showcases giant babydoll heads, and Ashley Cantero’s Drive-In presents iconic Florida buildings in miniature.
Juxtaposing this whimsy is Babs Reingold’s starkly realistic The Last Sea: Diorama, depicting a wrecked boat amidst trash and fire, bearing the sign “The Sunshine State: 2050.” This piece delivers a sobering commentary on Florida’s environmental future, sandwiched within the playful nostalgia, adding depth and critical perspective to the Fairgrounds St. Pete experience. These dioramas collectively become a powerful reflection on Florida’s past, present, and potential future, crafted by Floridians offering their unique perspectives on their home state.
Leaving the dioramas, the main room features a widescreen playing an Everglades sunset on loop. This indoor presentation of Florida’s natural beauty, within a warehouse setting adorned with fake grass and distorted birdsongs, creates an “uncanny valley” effect, highlighting the artificiality inherent in curated experiences.
Within this space, Eddie Lohmeyer’s Topographia Chlorophobia, a giant cupcake housing a control room, invites interaction. Panther paw controls trigger random phrases like “I like, unfortunate, beach parties, bright pink, strawberries, look out for, magical, delicious, panthers,” adding to the playful randomness of Fairgrounds St. Pete.
Before concluding the adventure, A Mysterious Portal to the Bay by Mike Hicks becomes a standout piece. This forced perspective art installation recreates a bridge underpass with the Tampa Bay skyline, complete with Styrofoam trash, offering a raw, unvarnished slice of Florida reality.
Mike Hicks’ “A Mysterious Portal to the Bay” at Fairgrounds St. Pete: A keyhole view into authentic Florida.
This piece provides a sense of reprieve, resonating with a desire for genuine Florida representation beyond the typical “bubblegum fantasy.” It captures the state’s “wacky, awful, wonderful je ne sais quoi” in a way that feels deeply authentic.
Exiting Fairgrounds St. Pete is a reflective experience. It’s not the typical deflated feeling after a roadside attraction parody. Instead, it prompts contemplation on Florida’s disappearing peculiarities – the forgotten coast, the vacant orange-shaped buildings. Perhaps Fairgrounds St. Pete serves as a call to rediscover and preserve these authentic Florida elements.
In conclusion, Fairgrounds St. Pete is more than just an Instagrammable art exhibit. It’s an immersive exploration of Florida’s complex identity, blending nostalgia, whimsy, and critical reflection. It’s an invitation to engage with art, to question perceptions of Florida, and to appreciate the creativity of local artists. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Fairgrounds St. Pete offers a unique and unforgettable experience.
Explore Fairgrounds St. Pete at fairgrounds.art
Discover the Artists of Fairgrounds St. Pete:
Jane Bunker
Jane Bunker’s “Carnival” at Fairgrounds St. Pete: Art with a purpose, supporting college scholarships through the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum.
Jane Bunker’s participation in Fairgrounds St. Pete extends beyond artistic expression. Her work provides visibility for a scholarship project in collaboration with the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, demonstrating a meaningful connection between art and community support.
Saumitra Chandratreya
Saumitra Chandratreya’s “Consumed by Everglades” diorama at Fairgrounds St. Pete: A thought-provoking look at Florida’s future and environmental concerns.
Saumitra Chandratreya’s diorama, Consumed by Everglades, presents a future where the Everglades reclaims Florida, prompting reflection on wetland preservation and the impact of human activity on the environment.
John Gascot
John Gascot’s diorama, inspired by the Mermaid’s Lair storyline, explores the theme of urbanizing nature, adding another layer to the narrative within Fairgrounds St. Pete.
Alex Kaufman, Aleisha Prather and George Retkes
The collaborative “Flora-Da-Scope” by Alex Kaufman, Aleisha Prather, and George Retkes at Fairgrounds St. Pete: A neon universe of light and reflection.
Inside the “Flora-Da-Scope”: A unique visual experience crafted by St. Pete artists.
Exploring the depths of the “Flora-Da-Scope” installation at Fairgrounds St. Pete.
The innovative design process behind the captivating “Flora-Da-Scope.”
Acrylic elements adding neon-like effects to the “Flora-Da-Scope.”
Artist George Retkes at work on the “Flora-Da-Scope” installation.
The creators of Flora-Da-Scope, Alex Kaufman, Aleisha Prather, and George Retkes, share their collaborative process and inspiration, highlighting their desire to create a unique, immersive experience utilizing their diverse artistic backgrounds and technical skills.
Cecilia Lueza
Cecilia Lueza’s “Ballad of the Blue Mermaid” at Fairgrounds St. Pete: A magical and elegant tribute to Florida’s mythical creatures.
Cecilia Lueza’s Ballad of the Blue Mermaid and series of Florida birds bring a touch of Art Nouveau elegance and mystique to Fairgrounds St. Pete, celebrating Florida’s natural beauty and mermaid mythology.
Mark Mitchell
Mark Mitchell’s Fountain of Youth offers a satirical and humorous take on Florida’s Flori-drama, adding a conceptual pop art element to the Fairgrounds experience.
Iona Parris
Iona Parris, The Seashell Queen, and her opulent creations at Fairgrounds St. Pete.
Step into an underwater kingdom: The Mermaid Dressing Room by Iona Parris at Fairgrounds St. Pete.
Iona Parris, “The Seashell Queen,” infuses the Mermaid Dressing Room with elegance and opulence, creating an immersive underwater palace where visitors can embrace their inner mermaid or sea king.
Ari Robinson
Ari Robinson’s “Mystic Reef” at Fairgrounds St. Pete: A transcendent underwater landscape of color and imagination.
Ari Robinson’s Mystic Reef creates a captivating underwater world within the Floridarama exhibit, inspiring wonder and happiness through its vibrant colors and imaginative forms.
Adela Salas
Adela Salas’ aquatic forest diorama at Fairgrounds St. Pete: Hand-built magic and mermaid apparitions.
Adela Salas’ hand-built Floridarama depicts an aquatic forest scene, inviting viewers to witness the playful apparition of mermaids and unleash their own imagination within this magical underwater world.
