ST. PETERSBURG — Imagine Museum will partner with the Tampa Bay Comic Convention to host “Graphic Worlds: Anime & Comic Book Exhibition. An opening weekend festival will be presented Friday through Sunday, July 24-26, at Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
The museum will transform into a vibrant celebration of fandom and cosplay influencers, featuring immersive exhibition debuts, curated anime markets, cosplay contests, interactive workshops, and pop culture-inspired glass and multimedia displays. This high-energy weekend event reimagines anime, comics, and storytelling as fine art.
“Graphic Worlds brings together international artists and creators who transform anime and comic storytelling into physical form,” said David Flatt, executive director of Imagine Museum. “From intricate glasswork to bold illustration, this weekend is about stepping inside the worlds people love — not just viewing them.”
The museum’s exhibition features exclusive works from top global artists, including original comic and anime-inspired pieces, contemporary glass art, sculpture, painting, and immersive storytelling installations.
Following is a look at some of the weekend highlights:
• Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.: The Anime Market & Opening Weekend Access will feature curated vendors, exclusive collectibles, and first access to the exhibition.
• Saturday 5 to 8 p.m.: Opening reception is an after-hours immersive experience with community celebration and extended museum access.
• Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.: Pokémon Terrarium Workshop
• Sunday, noon to 2 p.m.: Pikachu Stained Glass Workshop
The weekend also will include cosplay contests, trivia battles, and themed competitions featuring anime and gaming franchises. Live music and entertainment will feature themed performances and immersive soundscapes throughout the weekend.
Guests are encouraged to come in cosplay for a chance to win themed prizes, meet fellow fans, and experience an art environment unlike any traditional exhibition. Full museum access is included with admission. Select workshops may require additional registration.
Free early bird admission for guests in cosplay with reservation. General admission is available for $5. Capacity is limited and early reservations are strongly recommended. For reservations, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986085874314?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Charlyn Reynolds is one of many artists participating in the exhibition. Reynolds is a Miami-based contemporary glass artist with 18 years of experience in glass and mixed media, creating fantastical hybrid creatures inspired by the absurdity and imagination of her childhood.
According to her website, she continues to develop her skills further by taking intensive classes at many craft schools from world renowned artists such as Kimiake and Shin-ichi Higuchi and Martin Janecky. She was able to expand her glass sculpting skills during a two-month class with Janecky and later worked for him at his studio in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Angel Kourkoulou, an internationally exhibited artist and educator, creates fantasy realism paintings that combine storytelling, symbolism, and environmental themes to explore endangered species, mythology, and human resilience. According to her website, her work can be found in international galleries, and collections worldwide. She is known for painting large surfaces and commissioned murals, as well as illustrating literature books and children’s books. She has even designed sceneries for various theatrical performances in New York and Greece.
Heather Tapia is a Florida-based fine artist and early pioneer in ultrasound art who blends contemporary visual storytelling with comic and anime-inspired imagery celebrating imagination, family, and human connection. According to her website, Tapia has studied art in programs taught by professional artists since the age of 12.
“I was fortunate to attend Harrison School of Visual and Performing Arts for High school, where I studied in the Polk Museum of Fine Art for four years,” Tapia says. “It was an incredible experience to be surrounded by art every day and to see all of the new exhibitions and learn from the featured artists, as well as being able to be taught by professional artists.”
Stephanie Agudelo is a St. Petersburg-based photographer exhibited nationally and internationally, whose surreal, color-driven compositions explore identity, transformation, and beauty through portraiture, symbolism, and themes of fragility and growth.
Ora Fraze is a St. Petersburg multimedia artist, UltraMundane Gallery owner and graphic designer whose imaginative work combines traditional techniques and digital processes to create detailed visual stories rooted in creativity and design. Known for seamlessly blending traditional printmaking techniques with modern digital workflows, Ora’s process brings the subconscious to life through vivid, complex imagery.
Since 2018, Imagine Museum has been a cultural pillar of the city of St. Petersburg. With thousands of contemporary glass art in its collection from around the globe, Imagine Museum delivers exhibitions, programming, and events that seek to inspire, uplift and educate. For information, visit www.imaginemuseum.com.