Things to Do in St. Pete, Florida, Hispanic Arts & Culture with VSPC

I got to celebrate my hispanic culture in St. Petersburg, Florida during Hispanic Heritage Month by exploring the local Latin creators and businesses that ignite our diverse community. The Gala Life partnered with Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, to showcase the latin arts and culture scene in the destination. Celebrate creativity and culture with us as we explore the Dali Museum, Renzo's restaurant and meet with Leo Gomez, a well known mural artist in the destination.

Looking for more arts and culture in St. Pete/Clearwater? Check out our arts offerings here: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com

“If someday I may die, though it is unlikely, I hope the people in the cafes will say, ‘Dali has died, but not entirely.’ – Salvador Dalí

The Dalí Museum

While you easily research the Spanish artist’s imaginative bounty online or at your local bookstore, there’s nothing quite like physically immersing yourself in the life and mind of Dalí. With only a handful of surrealist-niche museums around the world, the Salvador Dali Museum located in St. Petersburg, Florida is the most comprehensive, housing the largest collection of Dalí's artworks outside of his native Spain.

The immersive location offers a glimpse into the mind of the of the artist, allowing visitors to explore the life of Salvador Dalí, as well as the journey that led him to being one of the most recognized artists across the globe.

The abstract building housing the museum was designed by Yann Weymouth, who helped create the Louvre’s famous glass pyramid. The curved bubble-like structure is composed of more than 1,000 glass triangles (Weymouth nicknamed the “glass enigma”) and was made to mirror Dali’s precise, yet abstract technique. At the center is a trapezoid with thick walls that can withstand a Category 5 hurricane (an important consideration in this windy Florida city). The interior’s crown jewel is the massive concrete spiral staircase, constructed to resemble a helical DNA structure (a symbol that fascinated Dalí). The glass sphere allows for natural light to filter into the museum in a way that feels dramatic and spacious and provides the ideal lighting for which to view the artworks on display.

The exquisite art collection is made-up of more than 2,000 pieces amassed by the artist’s close friends and late museum founders, Eleanor and A. Reynolds Morse, providing a glimpse into the influences that shaped Dalí’s creative cannon. Exhibitions range from permanent fixtures, such as the iconic melting clocks in The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory (1952-54) and the multi-level oil-painting, The Hallucinogenic Toreador (1968-70), blended with experiential exhibits and Dalí-inspired collections from other artists, the museum offers a comprehensive look into Dalí’s dynamic range.

Did you know that Salvador Dali’s wife was named Gala? Russian-born Gala lived in Paris at the height of the surrealist movement and would frequent posh cafes full of the city’s most prestigious artists and thought-leaders. Gala met Dalí on a trip to Spain with her husband and fell in love with the artist almost immediately, severing ties with her former lover.

After that trip, Gala joined Dalí on his artistic journey, serving as his partner in life, his muse and business manager. She was also responsible for organizing the day-to-day details of life, allowing Dalí to focus on his art. British collector, Edward James once stated about their relationship, “What a wonderful thing it is for an artist to find exactly the right wife for him. This must only happen once in a hundred times only. It has happened to Dalí and I think it is going to make the entire difference to his career…”

The museum pays individual tribute to Gala with Café Gala, which is designed to create an educational and culinary experience, highlighting Spanish food and history. Café Gala conveys the Dalí’s heritage by offering museum visitors an array of light Spanish fare, including Tapas, traditional pastries, light bites and libations.

As a lover of Dalí, I always admired Gala’s strength, intellect and curiosity for life. Gala actually inspired the creation of GALA Life, so a visit to the Dali Museum is always a wonderful full-circle experience for me.

After exploring all of the interior exhibits, visitors can embark on some outdoor exploration of the waterfront “Avant-garden,” which was inspired by local flora, as well as Dalí’s fascination with duality, art and nature. The Avant-garden consists of the West Garden, the Grotto and the East Garden, designed with mathematical proportions in reference to Dalí’s belief that mathematics reveal a hidden order in the world. Rocks anchoring the garden reference the rock formations of Dalí’s native Cadaqués, which show up time and time again in the artist’s dreamscape paintings.

Don’t wait to experience a one-of-a-kind day that will transport you to the far reaches of the mind. Be sure to reserve your tickets in advance at thedali.org for a surreal day at the Dali Museum in Downtown St. Pete. The museum is currently open from Wednesday-Thursday, with COVID-19 safety measures in place. You can also download the Dalí Museum app to self-guide your way through the museum without skipping a single story. The Dalí Museum is located at One Dalí Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701.

Renzo’s St. Pete

Have you ever tried Argentine cuisine? Renzo’s is the only Argentinian steakhouse in Downtown St. Pete, offering a taste of South America.

The Leo Gomez Studio