One of two student exhibitions in the Risser Gallery during the holidays. This exhibition will showcase works in all media created by middle and high school students from schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. For more information, call 727-822-7872.

Tampa Bay's oldest professional theatre presents the affectionate biography of a Jewish immigrant who comes to the United States to make good and settles in a rural Texas town. A man makes a life, a home and good friends across cultural barriers, challenging prejudices and preconceptions and harnessing the spirit of the American Dream in this timely Tampa Bay premiere. Tickets are $20 for matinees, $24 for Wednesday and Thursday evenings, $28 for Friday and Saturday evenings and $30 for opening night. For more information, call (727) 823-1600.

A free, interactive series of classes will be presented each month, featuring different artists and mediums. Each presentation will last approximately one hour. For more information, call 727-582-2200.

The Art Center presents this non-juried show of local artworks for the holiday season. 10 AM - 5 PM Monday through Satuday, 1 PM to 4 PM on Sunday. For more information, call 727-822-7872.

Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season at the Arts Center annual Holiday Show. See specially created works by many artists, including mixed media by Kathleen and Rocky Bridges and Lynn Whipple; paintings by Shirley Frank, Eleanor Merritt, Elizabeth Clement and more; jewelry by Yoshiko Yamamoto, Kim O'Brien and Melanie Sekora; and pottery by Russ Gustafson-Hilton, Jan Kimball and Charlie Parker. Glass ornaments and photographs will also be on dispaly. Limited edition hand-printed holiday cards custom-made for the Arts Center will debut during the holiday show. For more information, call 727-822-7872.

Contemporary craftwork design for gift-giving by over 200 Florida Artists. For more information, call (727)821-7391.

The Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History presents the Contemporary LongRifles and Accoutrements exhibit. it features rifles donated by Fred Riley of Tampa. For more information, call 727-726-1668.

The Museum of Fine Arts presents this exhibition featuring a self-portrait of a community that is a growing part of our nation's heritage. The exhibition's 120 photographs by 30 of the nation's top photojournalists explore the breadth and variety of the American Latino experience. Organized into thematic groupings of family, children and youth, labor, community, and the arts, Americanos presents a striking assemblage of images exploring differences within this dynamic community. For more information, call 727-896-2667.

Internationally renowned sculpture John Henry exhibits a new monumental sculpture installation in the Courtyard Sculpture Garden. Wandering Spirits stands as the sole piece in the exhibition. For more information, call 727-518-6833.

The Salvador Dali Museum presents this collection of 25 paintings by surrealist Jacqueline Lamba (1910-1993). Lamba, the wife of surrealist Andre Breton, began working as a surrealist in the 1940s. The exhibit was organized by Mills College, California, and guest curated by Salomon Grimberg. For more information, call 727-823-3767.

Explore the powerful images the Holocaust engraved into mankind. This exhibit is on special loan to the Holocaust Museum. For more information, call 727-820-0100.

The Florida Holocaust Museum features the works of Ella Liebermann-Shiber. This exhibit contains etchings that bear witness to the Holocaust; a testimony of her past. For more information, call 727-820-0100.

The indomitable spirits of 120 St. Petersburg/Clearwater area Holocaust survivors have been encapsulated within photographs reflecting upon fragments of theirs pasts for future generations. Toronto freelance photographer Jason Schwartz captured the expressions of memories of Holocaust survivors for this exhibit at the Florida Holocaust Museum. The stark black and white images are reflections of time and history. Each image contains a carefully worded and handwritten statement by the Survivor. For more information, call 727-820-0100.

The Florida International Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, features this collection of historical and personal artifacts associated with the U-2 incident of May 1960 in which Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union while flying for the CIA in a U-2 spy plane. These artifacts are on loan from the Cold War Museum and Francis Gary Powers, Jr. and include a piece of Powers’ U-2 plane, personal correspondence from prison, and items associated with the U-2 program. The U-2 Incident exhibit has been displayed internationally and this showing will commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Power’s release from prison, which took place on February 10, 1962. The museum also features an exhibit on the Cuban Missle Crisis and a permanent collection of John F. Kennedy memorabilia. For more information, call 727-822-3693.

The St. Petersburg Museum of History celebrates the 40th anniversary of its sister-city relationship with Takamatsu, Japan. The exhibit showcases the history of the partnership and provides information about life in Takamatsu. From the Japanese garden to the recreation of an udon noodle shop, this exhibit highlights the parallels between the two cities. For more information, call 727-894-1052.

Modeled after successful public art exhibits in Chicago, New York, New Orleans and Cincinnati, The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is sponsoring this festival honoring area artists and endangered species. The project features the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle as its theme icon. Nearly 100 six-foot sea turtle statues will be on display throughout the region. In April, all turtles will be auctioned off with portions of the proceeds going to area non-profit organizations. Artists range from Peter Max to Sunset Sam, the Aquarium's painting dolphin. One sea turtle statue has been painted to resemble an American flag. The beneficiaries of the auction will be families of the firefighters and police of New York City who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. For more information, call 727-461-5799.

The Florida International Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, now features temporary exhibits in addition to its permanent collection of John F. Kennedy memorabilia. When The Cold War Got Hot gives visitors a feel of how close the world came to nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The exhibit features re-creations of a fallout shelter, 35-foot Soviet missile and props from the new Kevin Costner film Thirteen Days. For more information, call 727-822-3693.

It's Our Nature guides a Nature Awareness Walk with Bird Watching through Honeymoon Island Recreation Area every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Duration is 2 hours. In addition to the state park fee, cost is $10 per person and $6 per child. For more information, call 727-441-2599.

Gulfport showcases the galleries and shops that make up its ArtVillage. Guests can browse and enjoy a festive evening featuring art, music and more in this pedestrian-friendly historic district. More than 40 galleries, studios, boutiques and restaurants are featured in this monthly event from 6-10 p.m. Most shops serve free treats and refreshments. For more information, call 727-321-7741.

St. Petersburg closes its main street for a street party on Central Avenue and Third Street in the heart of downtown. This block party features free live music from 5:30 to 10 p.m. For more information, call 727-895-0051.

Gulfport showcases the galleries and shops that make up its ArtVillage. Guests can visit the many wonderful shops that feature original paintings, pottery, handmade jewelry, wearable art, sculptures, hand blown glass, collectibles and much more at this village gathering. Gulfport's Art Village features shops, restaurants, cafes and nightspots on Beach Blvd. The stroll runs 6-10 p.m. For more information, call 727-321-0830.