FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM EXPANDS HOURS FOR VATICAN SPLENDORS MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
OFFERS EXTENDED HOURS!

  St. Petersburg, FL (March 18, 2008) Florida International Museum (FIM) is sending out a call for additional museum volunteers to assist with the highly popular Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Swiss Guard. “We have sold more than 40,000 tickets since opening in February,” said Kathy Oathout, executive director for Florida International Museum .

Beginning the week of March 24, FIM will offer extended hours on Wednesdays: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM. with the box office closing at 7:00 PM . and on Sundays 11 AM –

6 PM with the box office closing at 5 PM . With the expanded hours, more volunteers are needed to interact with the crowds.

Volunteers will greet visitors, take tickets and monitor the galleries during this special exhibition. Volunteers receive complimentary parking in St. Petersburg College Parking Garage and refreshment breaks. The volunteer shifts are three hours long and are available seven days a week: Monday – Saturday 9 AM -12 Noon , 12 Noon-3 PM, and

3 PM -6 PM ; Sunday 11 AM-3 PM and 3PM-6 PM . Starting March 26, volunteers are needed Wednesday evenings 5 PM- 9 PM , and especially for all Saturday and Sunday shifts. Please call 727-341-7916 and leave a message for the FIM volunteer coordinator.

Vatican Splendors presents unique objects illustrating the Vatican 's impact on history and culture through 2,000 years. The timing of the exhibition commemorates the 500th anniversary of Saint Peter's Basilica, the founding of the Vatican Museums; Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the establishment of the Papal Swiss Guard.

More information about Vatican Splendors is available at www.vaticansplendors.com . For information about the Florida International Museum , visitors may call 727-341-7900 or go to www.floridamuseum.org .

Florida International Museum is a non-profit educational institution supported, in part, by the Florida Arts Council, State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs, Institute of Museum & Library Services, City of St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County Cultural Arts. Major sponsors for Vatican Splendors include Progress Energy, SunTrust, Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, St. Petersburg Times and the Diocese of St. Petersburg . Other sponsors include The Mahaffey Company, The Sembler Company, Biltmore Construction, Bright House Networks, Carlton Fields, Hearn Hoyt Wealth Management of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Terra Construction Group, Too Jay's Restaurant, Canerday, Belfsky & Arroyo, Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and CapTrust.

Contact: Windy Crowder 727.341.7916