In the News
150 Best Things to Do In the USA This Summer
May 25, 2022
“This Florida town already had a reputation as an artist enclave when Fairgrounds St. Pete first opened, but this permanent, immersive art museum takes it to a whole new level. This experience transports you from simply looking at art to being surrounded by art.”
10 Roadside Attractions in Florida You Can’t Miss
May 5, 2022
“Technicolor, trippy and utterly immersive, Fairgrounds St. Pete is more than a roadside attraction. It’s an ode to roadside attractions. Their signature installation, FLORIDARAMA, reveals tiny worlds where palm trees grow upside down, swamps ooze sugar and a mermaid will check you into your motel.”
Millennials Can’t Get Enough of This Stretch of Florida Coast
January 28, 2022
“Sixty local and international artists with Florida ties were commissioned to bring Fairgrounds St. Pete, opened in 2021 in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District, to life. The 15,000-square-foot immersive indoor exhibit that melds art with technology is a walk-through installation with surprises in every room.”
South Florida artist Francesco Lo Castro opens ‘Myriad Loops’ at Fairgrounds St. Pete
January 28, 2022
“Acclaimed South Florida artist Francesco Lo Castro has unveiled a new immersive art and technology experience at St. Pete’s brand new Fairgrounds art compound where he’s moved in just inside the main entrance to install 360-degree projection-mapped animations all soundtracked by Lo Castro.”
5 Captivating New Museums in Florida
January 27, 2022
“Dimmitt (who had been working in immersive and large-scale art projects for a number of years) and the Fairgrounds St. Pete team partnered with 64 artists, focusing on those based in Florida. She calls Fairgrounds “a love letter to Florida” that revels in all that’s “weird, wacky and wonderful” in the state.”
THE REAL FLORIDA Five reasons why you should ditch the theme parks and head to St. Pete and Clearwater for an authentic taste of Florida
January 19, 2022
“If it’s an escape from reality you’re after, then the brand-new Fairgrounds St. Pete in St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District is a must see.”
51 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in St. Petersburg, Florida – Explore the colorful world of Fairgrounds St. Pete
January 18, 2022
“This colorful and abstract world will draw you into its narrative, divulging small chunks of information piece by piece until you are hooked. You may find yourself returning to Fairgrounds St. Pete again and again.”
Best New Tampa Bay Restaurants + Experiences for Couples in 2022
January 12, 2022
“Fairgrounds St. Pete opened in fall of 2021, showcasing the imagination of local and national artists through interactive art installations…If you haven’t yet visited, make plans to explore this one-of-a-kind attraction in 2022.”
Experience weird, wacky, wonderful Florida at Fairgrounds St. Pete
Sept. 17, 2021
“The idea is to just take audiences and put them into a new world. It’s been reimagined by artists. The world here is inspired by Florida and all the different sort of stories: weird, wacky, wonderful dimensions that we have here in the state,” explained Mikhail Mansion with Fairgrounds St. Pete.
Art in Your Ear: Liz Dimmitt & Iona Parris The Seashell Queen hosted by JoEllen Schilke
Sept. 17, 2021
“We invite people to come and Escape Reality” said Liz Dimmitt. “This is so St. Pete” said JoEllen Schilke about Fairgrounds St. Pete.
Fairgrounds St. Pete Offers An Immersive Art And Technology Experience
Sept. 08, 2021
“With a name that references traditional fairgrounds as a place for exhibiting new ideas and recognizing talent, Fairgrounds St. Pete is committed to creating a sustainable arts community and inspiring visitors through discovery and play.”
Fairgrounds St. Pete Feature
Sept. 9, 2021
“So, while a one time visit is definitely a MUST-ADD to your Tampa Bay Bucket List, a visit to Fairgrounds St Pete is likely something you’ll want to do again and again.”
Fairgrounds St. Pete offers interactive art adventures
Sept. 03, 2021
“Artists with ties to Florida contributed to the space, adding unique murals and displays to the many rooms within what’s called the Mermaid Star Motel. When you walk inside, the founders hope you feel like you’ve been transported to another world.”
A WHIMSICAL WONDERLAND: FAIRGROUNDS ST. PETE IS A MUST-SEE FOR FAMILIES
Sept. 1, 2021
“Leave reality at the door, friends… and let this immersive artistic experience be your escape from the real-life wacky world we live in today. And here’s the cool part, WHAT and HOW you experience this exhibit during your visit is totally up to you.”
Everything we saw at Fairgrounds St. Pete, a new Florida fantasyland immersive art experience
Sept. 01, 2021
“All these beautiful pieces of Florida’s past, present, reality and mythology are there in graphic detail and made by artisans who call Tampa Bay home. You should really see it for yourself.”
Opening Thursday, Fairgrounds blends fantasy and reality
Sept. 1, 2021
“Another function of art – among many is to blur the lines between the real and the dreamed-about. “It’s really a love letter to Florida,” Dimmitt explained, “and of course a big part of our state is tourism. And what all these visitors coming to see it experience. “There’s that dichotomy of native Floridians who get to live in this vacation land all the time. So we’re celebrating that.”
An immersive museum featuring local artists opens in St. Pete
Sept. 02, 2021
It’s an immersive experience that captivates all senses. It’s set up like a motel with several different rooms, but it’s different from where you’ve stayed. “Various rooms and exhibitions, artwork by different artists, everything is celebrating weird, wacky and wonderful Florida,” says Dimmitt.
Fairgrounds St. Pete, an immersive art museum featuring local artists, opens Thursday
Sept. 1, 2021
The Warehouse and Arts District in St. Pete now has a new exhibit! An immersive art museum geared toward engaging the five senses, and it all opens Thursday, September 2nd.
Here’s what to expect at new art attraction Fairgrounds St. Pete
August 18, 2021
“The idea of Fairgrounds is really celebrating the community that we already have in Tampa Bay,
and the cultural richness that is part of the fabric of being in St. Petersburg,” Liz Dimmitt said.
Let’s All Go To Fairgrounds St. Pete
June 09, 2021
“It’s more like a Florida dream, where mermaids are real, and anything can happen. It’s a bold and beautiful celebration of the Florida magic and paradise mythology that have drawn people to Florida for years, and it’s poised to become one of this summer’s hottest art attractions.”
Inside Fairgrounds
Sept. 2, 2021
“We are thrilled to have tickets go on sale for Fairgrounds St. Pete’s debut installation!” said Olivia Mansion, Fairgrounds St. Pete Director of Communications and Artist Relations. “Putting together an immersive experience of this scale has truly been a labor of love, and we are excited to share it with Tampa bay.”
A sneak peek of Fairgrounds St. Pete, an art experience opening late spring
April 19, 2021
“The project, co-founded by Liz Dimmitt and Mikhail Mansion, hired artists last year to create installations in the space that is part of the Factory St. Pete, a hub for artists, arts-related nonprofits and creative businesses.”
Culture Continues Fueling Ascension Of St. Petersburg, Florida
June 9, 2021
“Our Fairgrounds St. Pete team and over 60 commissioned artists have exceeded my vision and expectations in every way,” Fairgrounds co-founder and CEO Liz Dimmitt told Forbes.com. “I’m proud to report that all the installations and artist works are even more exciting in real life than I imagined and, of course, experiencing all the art and installations together just compounds the ‘wow’ factor.”
Jeff and Penny Vinik invest in and partner with Fairgrounds in St. Petersburg
May 22, 2020
“As progress continues for Fairgrounds, the immersive art and technology experience coming to St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District, local philanthropists Jeff and Penny Vinik have invested in the project.”
Fairgrounds, St. Petersburg’s immersive arts experience, announces massive list of participating artists
January 15, 2021
“This month, Fairgrounds finally shared the more than 60 participating artists who’ll flex their weird and wacky ideas within the grounds.”
St. Petersburg’s Fairgrounds announces artist roster
January 12, 2021
“Fairgrounds, an immersive art and technology experience, is in the home stretch: It’s set to open in St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District this spring. Recently, the roster of more than 65 artists whose work will fill the inaugural exhibition in the 15,000-square-foot space was announced in a news release.”
Fairgrounds announces first round of participating artists
January 12, 2021
“More than 65 artists, including many from the Tampa Bay area, have been contracted to provide creative work for Fairgrounds, the immersive art and technology “experience” scheduled to open in the spring.”
St. Pete’s Newest Creative Venture: The Factory & Fairgrounds
January 19, 2021
“The location is ideal. It sits directly next to the Pinellas Trail and within radius of the Morean Center for Clay at the Historic Train Station as well as the Duncan McClellan Gallery.”
Fairgrounds, St. Petersburg’s immersive arts experience, announces massive list of participating artists
January 15, 2021
“Last April, Fairgrounds founders Liz Dimmitt and Mikhail Mansion issued a call for artists to submit ideas for featured installations. This month, Fairgrounds finally shared the more than 60 participating artists who’ll flex their weird and wacky ideas within the grounds.”
Get a sneak peek at St. Pete’s new immersive ‘Fairgrounds’ project this weekend
December 10, 2020
“Guests will get the chance to preview the Fairgrounds’ signature installation—”Floridrama,” where artists “create custom dioramas depicting tiny worlds offering a universe of possibilities”
The Factory St. Pete pivots into a new reality
December 9, 2020
“First and foremost, the large-scale immersive arts facility Fairgrounds is still the anchor tenant (“like your Saks Fifth Avenue in the mall,” jokes Behar) and is still on track to open in the spring.”
Sneak Peek! Fairgrounds 2021
August 3, 2020
“This 12,000 square-foot St. Pete-based exhibition plans to feature a transformative range of performances from local and international artists, writers, musicians, and storytellers—all celebrating Florida’s weird, wacky and wonderful culture.”
Influencer Liz Dimmitt
July 30, 2020
“We chose to base Fairgrounds in St. Pete because of its dynamic and thriving creative community. We have wonderful city leadership that values and supports the arts.”
Jeff and Penny Vinik join Fairgrounds founder Liz Dimmitt as investors and partners
May 23, 2020
“Fairgrounds will focus on works of all sorts by Florida artists. It is, Dimmit says, an interactive, ‘totally artist-made environment’ with different ‘adventures’ to be taken. She has described it as ‘part playground, part art world, part theme park.’”
St. Petersburg immersive arts project is looking for artists
April 20, 2020
“’It’s exciting to launch our first call to artists, especially during this extraordinary time,’ said Liz Dimmitt, CEO and founder of Fairgrounds. ‘We’ve moved up our call date in an effort to support artists and our local creative community during the coronavirus pandemic.'”
Fairgrounds gets rolling with a Call to Artists
April 20, 2020
“’We want our first exhibition to be special, fun, engaging and exciting,’ founder Liz Dimmitt said Monday morning. ‘However, we also plan to evolve the exhibition over time so it will get better and better.’”
Call for Florida artists, makers, creatives from Fairgrounds in South St. Pete
April 20, 2020
“‘We’re excited to be launching our inaugural call to artists, especially in the midst of the current Coronavirus pandemic when artists and our local creative community can benefit from new opportunities. We hope artists and makers of all disciplines and experience apply’ says Liz Dimmitt, Founder of Fairgrounds.”
Fairgrounds, an exploratory arts playground, puts out RFQ for Florida artists
April 20, 2020
“Expect to see the kitschy, strange, vibrant mythos of Florida burst to life. Through narrative workshops the Fairgrounds team has been able to craft a rich story map of the Sunshine State. Prepare to travel through space and time from the space coast to the swamps.”
St. Pete’s Meow Wolf-inspired ‘Fairgrounds’ issues call to artists for 2021
April 19, 2020
“We follow guidelines that make our immersive experiences fair for all, while seeking out a range of creative ideas and projects.”
Fairgrounds: Immersive arts destination could transform South St. Pete
February 11, 2020
“The inspiration of Liz Dimmitt and Mikhail Mansion, Fairgrounds has as an intriguing tagline: ‘art for all, play for all and joy for all.’
‘We’re celebrating the creative community here — it’s a place where everyone can have a good time,’ says Dimmitt.”
Immersive art meets craft beer at future St. Pete and Tampa compounds
November 19, 2019
“Liz Dimmitt has been conceiving Fairgrounds for a few years. As an arts consultant, she has made a career of bringing immersive experiences to the public.”
Experiential art exhibition space ‘The Fairgrounds’ is coming to St. Pete in 2020
November 19, 2019
“a vision that belongs to Liz Dimmitt, called The Fairgrounds, who’s worked with artists in New York City and Hong Kong — plus Tampa’s Penny and Jeff Vinik”
Liz Dimmitt has designs on an innovative new St. Pete art experience
August 28, 2019
“Dimmitt’s creative eye is firmly fixed on the Tampa Bay art market – in particular, on 12,000 square feet of St. Petersburg she intends to turn into a “totally immersive and interactive” art experience called Fairgrounds (no “the,” just Fairgrounds).”
Seven-figure capital raise sought for south St. Pete artist studio project
July 25, 2019
“’Immersive means it’s all around you. You can touch, you can play, and it’s the whole environment,’ Dimmitt said. ‘We’re going to integrate a narrative in the installation that celebrates wonderful, wacky and wild Florida.’”