This first-of-its-kind installation is the latest effort to infuse Clearwater’s downtown with art.

CLEARWATER – A unique partnership between the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg and the city of Clearwater’s Community Redevelopment Agency will bring the Museum’s award-winning Dreams of Dali
virtual reality experience to Second Century Studios.

The six-month installation is part of the CRA’s broader initiative to support high-quality, participatory arts programming that showcases the unique assets of Downtown Clearwater and the surrounding area.

This free and immersive experience will transport visitors into Salvador Dali’s surrealist painting Archaeological Reminiscence of Millet’s “Angelus” through virtual reality technology. The limited-engagement installation is open to the public from Thursday (Jan. 10 ) through June 30, and is currently the only Dreams of Dali dedicated VR experience outside of the Dali Museum.

“This installation is a first-of-its-kind experience for Clearwater, providing residents and visitors alike an opportunity to engage in the arts through technology. We’re thrilled to partner with the Dali Museum to celebrate our downtown,” said Amanda Thompson, the city of Clearwater’s CRA director. “With exhibits like Dreams of Dali, Clearwater is establishing itself as the next great place to live, work and play.”

In conjunction with Dreams of Dali in virtual reality, the CRA will also feature pop-up programming each month at Second Century Studios, 331 Cleveland St., starting this month. The sponsor of the VR equipment featured in the innovative Dal Museum installation is KnowBe4, a security awareness company located in Downtown Clearwater.

Recognizing the power of digital technology to create new avenues for audiences to engage in the arts, Dreams of Dali originated in 2016 and is on permanent display in the Dali Museum. The installation in Downtown Clearwater is part of the museum’s commitment to community engagement.

“We are delighted to partner with the Clearwater CRA to provide the community with a glimpse of the fantastical and surreal experiences The Dali Museum has to offer,” said Hank Hine, executive director of the Dali Museum. “The CRA is taking a progressive approach to invigorating their burgeoning downtown and we are thrilled to be one of their partners in showcasing the abundant cultural offerings in the Tampa Bay region. We hope Clearwater residents and visitors enjoy the immersive Dreams of Dali virtual reality experience – a taste of Dali – and are inspired to explore the Dali Museum in all its splendor.”

Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4, said, “We’re honored to be involved in this partnership to bring the Dreams of Dali exhibit to the Downtown Clearwater area where KnowBe4’s headquarters are located. Clearwater is a vibrant part of the Tampa Bay community and we’re proud to see it showcased with inspiring art. I truly hope that the area’s residents and employees enjoy experiencing the arts through technology.”

The Dreams of Dali virtual reality experience at Second Century Studios will be open to the public from Thursday (Jan. 10) to June 30. A public grand opening event will be held Jan. 25 coinciding with Downtown Clearwater’s Blast Friday, where guests can enjoy food from local restaurants, live music and entertainment. Go to downtownclearwater.com for hours, directions and details.

The City of Clearwater’s Community Redevelopment Agency aims to promote Downtown Clearwater’s ongoing neighborhood revitalization through programs and initiatives that strengthen and stimulate our local economy and community.

The Dali Museum, located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg at 1 Dali Blvd., is home to an unparalleled collection of Salvador Dali art, featuring more than 2,000 works comprising nearly 100 oil paintings; more than 100 watercolors and drawings; and 1,300 prints, photographs, sculptures and objets d’art.

Downtown Clearwater | Events | Dali | Arts | Tampabay News

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