Pictured above: The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement is the first of its kind.
Courtesy of ©MAACM. Photos by Joe Brennan.
By Sofia Garcia Vargas
The world’s first museum dedicated exclusively to the American Arts and Crafts movement will open its doors in downtown St. Petersburg on Sept. 7.
Made possible by pharmaceutical entrepreneur and art collector Rudy Ciccarello and his nonprofit, Two Red Roses Foundation, the museum will have more than 800 pieces of art alongside workshops, dining and shopping opportunities, and a venue for events.
The American Arts and Crafts movement, which extended from the 1890s to the 1930s, comprises decorative works such as paintings, furniture, pottery, photographs and more.
By being in the heart of the downtown art district, the Museum of American Arts & Crafts Movement will add to the city’s culturally diverse arts scene.
“Our mission is to preserve and share these beautiful works of art with the public and to teach future generations to appreciate hand craftsmanship and honest design,” Ciccarello said.
At 355 Fourth St. N., the 137,000-square-foot building includes broad gallery space, an outdoor garden, art studios, a research library and a theater.
Two temporary exhibitions will also be part of the grand opening: “Love, Labor, and Art: The Roycroft Enterprise” and “Lenses Embracing the Beautiful: Pictorial Photographs from the Two Red Roses Foundation”.
“Love, Labor, and Art” emphasizes the simplicity and beauty of objects like ephemera and metalwork. “Lenses Embracing the Beautiful” focuses on Pictorialism photographs that are part of the worldwide Arts and Crafts movement.
Both exhibitions will be on view from Sept. 7 through Jan. 9, 2022.
Different programs and activities will be offered, like Family Day on the first Saturday of each month and Sunday Film Series on the last Sunday of each month.
Standard admission rate for adults is $25, senior admission $23, and active military and first responders is $20. Students can purchase a $50 yearly membership for unlimited entries to the museum.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday; from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday; and is closed on Monday.
