Imagine Museum: Contemporary glass art — Attraction in Saint Petersburg

The Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a dazzling destination that showcases the magic of contemporary glass art. The museum's vibrant and innovative exhibits are a feast for the eyes and an educational treasure trove for all ages, making it an excellent choice for a family outing.

The moment you step into the Imagine Museum, you are greeted by a stunning array of glass sculptures that seem to defy gravity and logic. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, guiding visitors through a journey that spans decades and highlights the evolution of glass as an art form. Each piece tells a story, not just of the artist's vision but also of the incredible skill and precision required to transform raw glass into breathtaking works of art.

Kids will be particularly captivated by the colorful, whimsical pieces that look like they belong in a fantasy world. The interactive displays and the hands-on educational activities are designed to engage young minds and spark their creativity. The museum does an excellent job of making contemporary art accessible and fun for children, encouraging them to appreciate the beauty and complexity of glass art.

Among the many incredible pieces, my favorite was "Portal Icosahedron" by Anthony James. This piece is a mesmerizing geometric structure that draws you in with its intricate design and the way it plays with light. Standing before it, you feel as though you are looking into a portal to another dimension. The reflections and refractions create a kaleidoscopic effect that is both hypnotic and awe-inspiring. It’s a piece that appeals to both adults and children, inviting everyone to lose themselves in its endless patterns and glowing beauty.

The Imagine Museum also offers a variety of programs and workshops, making it a dynamic and engaging environment for learning about the art and science of glass. The knowledgeable staff are always on hand to answer questions and provide insights into the exhibits, enhancing the overall experience.

The Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in contemporary art, especially families looking for a kid-friendly cultural outing. With its stunning displays and interactive elements, it promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you and your children...

I enjoyed my visit to this museum significantly more than I thought I would (this coming from someone who would not self- describe as being very artistically minded or invested in contemporary art museums). Glass art takes art to a whole new level. This entire museum (which is quite vast in its exhibits) is basically eye candy for your brain for 2+ hours. I could not get enough! In fact, I went through the whole museum TWICE during my stay to try to catch things I had missed the first time through. The gift shop had selection to meet any budget and the staff were friendly and offered a lot of good information. The marble scavenger hunt was an added plus! Admission prices are also exceptionally reasonable for a museum in the St. Pete area. I only have a few points of feedback to offer the museum and none of it is enough to warrant giving less than a 5 star review. (1) Update your website: the website is not up to date and the ability to sign up for the newsletter doesn’t work. (2) Offer more places to sit down in the exhibits: after exploring the museum for nearly 3 hours, my dogs were barking and I desperately wanted to stay longer but had no where to sit down and rest my legs in some of the exhibits I enjoyed most; (3) Sell snacks: I noticed you have such a nice little lobby area with (what appears to be) a bar and coffee machine. Maybe you don’t operate this on Sundays, but I would have loved to purchase a soda and light snack after my walk through the exhibits; and (4) Tell your staff to keep the gift shop inventory fully stocked: I wanted to purchase a glass shark magnet but saw that the customer in front of me bought the last one. I asked the staff if they had more in back stock and they said yes. They also said they had a bunch of other animal magnets in back stock that were not on display and this “ruffled my feathers”. I might have wanted to buy more magnets if more options had been available to me. When I told the staff they should consider putting more out, they shrugged me off. The items available in the gift-shop are stunning works of art and I would hope the staff would want all of their vast variety displayed...

In 2018, founder, philanthropist, artist and business woman, Trish Duggan, determined to open a museum in St. Petersburg, FL as a way to give back to the community. Her goal was to put together a collection of artworks and promote an experience that would inspire, uplift and educate. As a woman already working with glass for her personal art, Ms. Duggan determined that the properties of glass and glass art would provide such an experience. BUILDING A COLLECTION The President of Michigan-based Habatat Galleries, Corey Hampson, teamed up with Ms. Duggan to realize an ever-expanding vision of creating the most significant collection of contemporary glass art in the world. The beginning collection of 500 artworks represented the American Glass Family Tree relating to the Studio Glass Movement, beginning in the 1960s through to today. The collection has now expanded to over 1,500 spectacular contemporary glass art works representing artists from America, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Japan, and Australia, to name a few. Ms. Duggan aspires to build a collection and a museum that inspires and uplifts all who experience it. SHARE OUR JOURNEY AND IMAGINE As the collection grows and our representation and reputation expands, we invite people to share our journey. There are many ways to become involved with our bold vision. First and foremost, visit and see for yourself the spectacular works of art on display; purchase a piece of glass to take home; become a member; sponsor one of our inspiring programs; or give a gift of support to our vision for the future. Inspiration and beauty are essential to the human spirit. Join us as we ask...