Paint the Town: Shine Mural Festival

The Shine Mural Festival returns to St. Petersburg starting Saturday, bringing more than 17 new murals to the already-vibrant streets and introducing us to mural artists from around the world and here at home. International artists include the UK's Nomad Clan, Germany's Look the Weird and Pakistani artist Haider Ali, who works in truck art, decorating vehicles with floral patterns and calligraphy. He'll work his magic on a vehicle, presented by Carmada, the local art car crew.

Local artists include Bekky Beukes, Illsol (Michelle Sawyer and Tony Krol) and Matt Kress. The festival also features local artists with an open call, and winners this year include Justin Wagher and Melanie Posner. Keep an eye out for more artistic utility boxes as part of the Corner Canvas project. New this year, a partnership with Coast Bike Share brought a design challenge to adorn bike baskets, including one by past Shine muralist Ricky Watts.

Speaking of bikes, Coast Bike Share and Florida CraftArt are presenting guided bike tours to view the murals. Saturday, view past murals and see artists starting their murals. On Oct. 13, get an in-depth look at the freshly painted ones. $25 using Coast Bike Share, save $5 if you bring your own. Tickets at floridacraftart.org.

Also Saturday, it's the You Are Beautiful Community Mural from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Oktane Media, 2732 Sixth Ave. S. Paint a positive message on the wall, where Sunday, a permanent You Are Beautiful sign by Chicago-based artist Matthew Hoffman will be installed.

Starting Monday, the Shine St. Petersburg Mural Festival Exhibition opens at the Morean Art Center, 719 Central Ave., featuring work by Bask, Chad Mize, the Vitale Brothers and Palehorse, as well as pieces by Shine muralists. A finale reception is from 5-9 p.m. Oct. 13.

For more information and a map, visit stpeteartsalliance.org/shine-mural-festival.

Focus on Puerto Rico: Gallery 221 Exhibits

Hurricane Maria's devastation of Puerto Rico last year brought the island and U.S. territory to the top of many people's minds. Two exhibits by Puerto Rican artists at Gallery 221 at Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry campus explore heritage, the island's political strife and history of colonization.

Opening Monday, "Fabrication of Self" is Jezabeth Roca Gonzalez's community-engaged sculptural installation influenced by the impact of Maria. The ongoing project, pictured, layers fabricated narratives and a growing house structure, touching on themes of displacement, trauma, family dynamics and healing.

Roberto Marquez's "Antigua Colonia: Chistes Viejos," open now, is an exploration of humor in a socio-political context, expressed through clay and paint. The title translates to Old Colony, Old Jokes and presents objects that question the canon of art.

A panel discussion with both artists moderated by fellow Puerto Rican artist Edgar Sanchez Cumbas is at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 during a reception that runs from 5-8 p.m. at 4001 W Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa. hccfl.edu/gallery221.

Happy Birthday: Graphicstudio Turns 50

Graphicstudio, the influential atelier on the University of South Florida's Tampa campus, has been bringing in world-class artists to create editions in print and sculpture for 50 years. They're celebrating with a party at Tampa Theatre from 7:30-9 p.m. Thursday. Past directors Donald Saff, Hank Hine and Alan Eaker will review groundbreaking past projects, while current director Margaret Miller will discuss the studio's exciting plans for the future. Free. 711 Franklin St. tampatheatre.org.