The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement Celebrates American Artisans
The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement
Image: Courtesy Photo
355 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, (727) 440-4859; museumaacm.org
Brand-spanking new (it just opened in September), this long-awaited celebration of the works of artisans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries is the lovechild of Rudy Ciccarello, a pharmaceutical magnate who not only largely funded the building of the $90 million, five-story, 137,000-square-foot museum in downtown St. Pete’s waterfront arts district himself but has filled it with items from his collection and that of the Two Red Roses Foundation he created.
With a striking design by Alfonso Architects that echoes the values of the American Arts and Crafts Movement—employing natural woods, tiles and stone—MAACM houses treasures from Gustav Stickley, Elbert Hubbard, the Byrdcliffe Colony and pottery maker William Grueby. There’s also an Architects Gallery showing off the Prairie Style designs of Frank Lloyd Wright and others.
And we loved the photography exhibit Lenses Embracing the Beautiful, a visual feast of works by such pioneers as Stieglitz, Steichen and Edward S. Curtis (on view through Jan. 9). While in St. Pete, we naturally had to stroll the extensively renovated Pier nearby, which opened last year and welcomes visitors with public art, a splash pad for kids, a Doc Ford restaurant, vendors, sitting areas overlooking Tampa Bay and more. The pier was named the No. 2 new attraction in the country by USA Today.
Architects Gallery featuring Frank Lloyd Wright designs.
Image: Courtesy Photo
Hours
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday.
Drive Time
Approximately 50 minutes.
Admission
$25 adults, $23 age 65 and over, $10 ages 6-17, 5 and under free.
Don’t Miss
Well, you could hardly miss the reconstructed Arts and Crafts master bedroom, complete with William Morris-inspired wallpaper, lamps à la Tiffany and early 20th-century furniture that will make a follower of the movement feel right at home. Also: The Arlyn Table by George Nakashima, crafted from redwood found in California’s Muir Woods.
Coming Soon
Official grand opening, sometime in December. Also, by the time you read this, the Ambrosia restaurant should be open for fine dining.
Store Goodies
Everything from a William Morris pink and rose poncho to stained glass lamps to handcraft books for kids. We also liked the clever coaster designs and small cups in the form of a camera lens.
Lunch
There’s a plethora of eateries in downtown St. Pete, many along shop-rich Beach Drive. On a drizzly day, we opted for inside at Stillwaters Tavern (224 Beach Drive NE), where you can choose from a wide menu that includes a charcuterie plate, a fried chicken salad, a huge burger or warm pretzels for an appetizer. The museum also has a café offering flatbreads, soups, bakery items and more.
