ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When you step inside Fairgrounds St. Pete, Florida's culture and history comes to life through art, soundscapes and even smells. The immersive art and technology museum has started a new monthly event to showcase the work of local artists and give visitors a whole new experience.

What You Need To Know

  • Fairgrounds St. Pete is starting a new monthly event to give visitors a whole new experience. 

  • "Art After Dark" will feature immersive art, live music, drink specials and an artist talk.

  • The event will take place on the third Friday of every month.

On the third Friday of every month, Fairgrounds will host "Art After Dark." The event invites guests to socialize and learn more about the artists' work and process.

“We want them to feel as immersed as possible, and just bringing different sources of art to this central hub with music, with the artist talk, with just a little party vibe," said Sarah Hardin, digital marketing and content manager for Fairgrounds St. Pete.

The museum kicked off its new event while unveiling a new piece of art by local artist Paul LeRoy Gehres.

“I just want to bring joy," Gehres said. "I want to bring joy and teach art history, really. You know, teach people about artists of the past and generate interest.”

Gehres goes by many pseduonyms. At "Art After Dark" he's Lucky LeRoy, dressed up as Andy Warhol to show off his new installation. 

“The story is that Andy Warhol came to Florida in the seventies to save art deco," LeRoy said. "They were going to tear down the art deco hotels in Miami and they brought Andy Warhol to bring attention to the cause.”

LeRoy's installation is part of the Floridarama exhibit. Each diorama tells a different story about Florida's culture and history. It's easy to pick out LeRoy's piece because it's different than the others — but you'll have to take a peek inside to get the full picture. 

“It sort of flashes at you, so it’s like ‘What’s that flashing light over there?,'" LeRoy said. "To me, that’s the paparazzi. And then you run over to look in the Floridarama and then Andy Warhol is taking a picture of you.”

LeRoy said his goal is to make everyone feel like a celebrity for just a moment, all while teaching them about one of his own artistic heroes. 

The next "Art After Dark" will take place on Aug. 18 from 7-9 p.m. Click here for more information and to purcahse tickets.