ST. PETERSBURG — The Professional Association of Visual Artists will host the 37th annual Cool Art Show on Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, July 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the historic St. Petersburg Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
Show admission and parking are free. This year’s show will feature nearly 70 of Florida’s most talented and diverse artisans, showcasing a wide range of visual and functional art.
The Cool Art Show is a creative highlight of the summer season for art lovers, artists, and visitors from across the Southeast. Attendees can look forward to exploring various forms of art, including paintings, woodworking, ceramics, photography, metalwork, glass art, fiber art, digital art, mixed media, and jewelry. Visitors of all ages will once again have an opportunity to check out the Interactive Arts Area, hosted by Lauren Miller, who is introducing new activities to this always-popular feature of the show.
New this year is the inclusion of PAVA’s Annual Members’ Award Show. This annual event provides monetary prizes to participating PAVA artists, many of whom typically exhibit only in galleries. Awards will be presented on Sunday morning.
Among the artists featured in this year’s show is Allen Pettigrew, a self-taught abstract painter based in Tampa. According to his website, Pettigrew has been painting daily since rediscovering his love of painting in 2020. He focuses mostly on abstract portraits, exploring the effects of light and shadows of colors in creating mood and narrative.
Another participating artist, Vivek Lakhotia, grew up in India and experimented with painting on and off as time allowed. He currently resides in Largo with his family. According to his website, Lakhotia is inspired by animals in their natural environment and wildly beautiful views.
“My recent paintings often include wildlife, the flora, and fauna of Florida, both above the ground and under the water,” Lakhotia says. “Some of these paintings are inspirations from my numerous visits to the local area parks. It could be the surprise of catching some unfolding drama or just a simple, quiet moment which makes you reflect on everything we take for granted.”
The St. Petersburg Coliseum offers food and beverage concessions, including beer and wine, available to the public.
PAVA is a nonprofit organization run by volunteer artists dedicated to supporting local artisans and the arts community in the Tampa Bay Area. The organization offers exhibition opportunities, educational resources, and grants for its members. Additionally, PAVA supports local art centers and sponsors the Pinellas County Education Foundation Art Awards, which provide scholarships to students for art instruction.
For information, visit pava-artists.org/cool-art-show.