In one week comes a day manifested in emotions that can peak at great joy or plunge to crushing disappointment. You know: Valentine's Day. How you spend it depends on your own situation. But remember that art has always been a boon to and salve for emotions. The central point of Valentine's Day is love. Here are two art events, one that looks to the past and the other very much in the present, that consider love in creative ways.
Lennie Bennett can be reached at lbennett@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8293.
Vintage Valentines on Display and Victorian Valentine Workshop
Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
Several hundred examples of valentines from the Gilded Age in turn-of-the-century America, when elaborations of them reached their zenith, are on display through Feb. 28. The museum, which is on the University of Tampa campus, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10, $7 seniors, $7 students and $5 children 4 to 12. plantmuseum.com or (813) 254-1891.
Make your own valentines at a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday with refreshments and all materials provided. You are encouraged to bring personal embellishments to add. $20. Space is limited so please make reservations: (813) 258-7304.
The Loop: An Art Show about Love and Love Lost
Eve-N-odd Gallery, 645 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Jennifer Kosharek's tiny gallery in the Crislip Arcade is lined with paintings by her and other artists. But her newest work is an installation right in the middle, made of yards of paper hung from a rod attached to the ceiling and overflowing with hand-lettered text. And the text is a series of real text messages sent to the artist that can be read by pulling the paper, which is in a loop. It's autobiographical and you can get a hint of its inspiration through a video (find it on tampabay.com/things-to-do).
A free reception is Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. during the monthly Downtown St. Petersburg Art Walk. On Feb. 14 (V-Day), she'll host free Fluxus performances, a poetry reading and personal narratives. (If you want to participate instead of watch, e-mail her at evenoddgallery@gmail.com.)
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