April 30, 2025

Fresh Squeezed 9 Exhibition Unveils Florida’s Talent

News Summary

The Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg is currently hosting the Fresh Squeezed 9 exhibition, showcasing the works of eight emerging artists from Florida. Curated by Amanda Cooper, the show highlights innovative pieces spanning various media and themes. With public access until June 26, visitors can explore the vibrant talent at Morean Arts Center and enjoy unique crossovers with the nearby Chihuly Collection.

Exciting Art Showcase Lights Up St. Petersburg!

St. Petersburg is buzzing with creativity thanks to the sensational exhibition Fresh Squeezed 9, currently on display at the Morean Arts Center. This vibrant showcase features the works of up-and-coming artists from across the state of Florida, providing a refreshing outlook on contemporary art.

A Tradition of Talent

For the past nine years, Chief Curator Amanda Cooper has been hard at work organizing this amazing exhibition that celebrates Florida’s emerging talent. This year, artists had to compete fiercely, as there were over 100 applicants vying for a spot in the show! With so many high-quality submissions, Cooper carefully selected just eight artists to display their small bodies of work. But here’s a fun little tidbit—some artists who didn’t make the cut may still get featured in other exhibitions throughout the year!

Artist Crossroads

This year, the exhibition is particularly exciting because two of the featured artists have their works displayed at the renowned Chihuly Collection, right across the street. This clever crossover between the Morean Arts Center and the Chihuly Collection aims to boost interaction between these two cultural venues. It’s like the art world is throwing a party, and everyone’s invited!

What You Can Expect

So, what kind of artworks can you look forward to at Fresh Squeezed 9? Well, hold onto your hats because we have some truly innovative pieces. For starters, there’s Gainesville artist Caroline Crawford, showcasing her luminous paintings that depict individuals enjoying sunny days in swimming pools. Talk about a refreshing twist!

Tampa’s very own Norbert Gonsalves presents us with colorful ceramic sculptures that cleverly play with negative and positive space. His creativity flows into his work, making them fun and engaging.

On the wild side, West Palm Beach artist Ryan Toth incorporates Florida themes into his chaotic masterpieces. One of his sculptures, cheekily named “Get Off My Lawn”, features a python and a taxidermied alligator. Toth describes his art style as “Lilly Pulitzer in a hurricane”. He also showcases a mixed media piece called “Freshly Squeezed Out,” promising a feast for the eyes!

But that’s not all! A Tampa printmaker dives deep into the emotional impact of trees and their relationship with humans in their work dedicated to showing just how “sacred and precious” these organisms are—yet still threatened by deforestation.

Orlando artist brings her journey to life with a piece titled “To My Own Self I Am True,” showcasing a profound personal transformation that occurred while journeying along the Florida National Scenic Trail.

And Ghanaian artist Opoku-Mensah challenges the norms associated with gender through her unique wooden objects. Among her pieces are shoes mounted on a found bicycle and a humorous video installation that follows her crafting a wooden purse.

Sarasota’s nostalgic artist brings a collage-like effect to her paintings of American life, skillfully blending various media for a captivating result. Meanwhile, another artist named Keats examines the connection between natural and digital systems with her inventive mixed media wall hangings, sure to intrigue visitors.

Don’t Miss Out!

The excitement doesn’t stop there! Fresh Squeezed 9 is open to the public until June 26, so there’s still time to check it out! Head on down to the Morean Arts Center at 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, swing by the Chihuly Collection located just a hop away at 720 Central Ave..

For more details about this delightful exhibition and the amazing artists involved, be sure to visit the Morean Arts Center’s website at moreanartscenter.org.

Don’t let this chance to revel in Florida’s artistic talent pass you by!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Artistic School Engagement at St. Petersburg’s New Exhibition
St. Petersburg to Showcase Emerging Artists at Fresh Squeezed 9

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER

ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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