Messi and more: World Cup fever inspires 'Kinetic Energy' art exhibit in Lake Worth Beach

On display through June 12 at Cultural Council for Palm Beach County's main gallery, the sports-themed installation showcases 14 Palm Beach County-based artists.

“Fight to Win” by Palm Beach Gardens artist Brian Wood. (CULTURAL COUNCIL FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY)

THE UPCOMING FIFA World Cup soccer matches in Miami have inspired a sports-themed art exhibit in downtown Lake Worth Beach.

“Kinetic Energy” showcases more than 25 works by 14 Palm Beach County artists, a creative kick off to the games that will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in June and July.

But the show, at the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, explodes far beyond soccer star Messi and the pitch. There are skateboarders, triathletes, polo players, rock climber Alex Honnold, race cars, gym rats — even a surreal jab from some boxing cats.

See for yourself at the council’s main gallery at 601 Lake Avenue. The free exhibit is on display through June 12, in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.

Here’s a sneak preview, including scenes from the April 16 opening reception attended by many of the artists.

“Ironwomen” by Loxahatchee artist Robbie Potter (CULTURAL COUNCIL FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY)

Opening reception guests mingle in front of a horse-jumping painting by Palm Beach Gardens artist Anthony Kolens (PREMIER PHOTO)

“Messi in Miami” by Palm Beach Gardens artist Kyle Lucks (CULTURAL COUNCIL FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY)

Artist Brian Wood, with his painting “Need for Speed,” said he grew up in Barbados where he was part of a skateboarding community. (PREMIER PHOTO)

North Palm Beach artist Dan Remmel’s painting of rock climber Alex Honnold. (CULTURAL COUNCIL FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY)

Riviera Beach artists Allan Creary with his painting “Triple Trouble,” a pop art interpretation of Chicago Bulls stars Dennis Rodman. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. (JOE CAPOZZI)

Boca Raton artist Anna Villa with her portraits of gym friends. (PREMIER PHOTO)

“Cyclist” by Lake Worth Beach artist Betty Armstrong. (CULTURAL COUNCIL FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY)

Delray Beach artist Mike Silverman discusses “Ballerina Tryout” with a patron. “This is part of My Beyond Humanity series which imagines what species will be dominant after humans are gone,’’ he said. “The piece explores a cyborg in the process of shape-shifting to capture the ballerina experience. To achieve that, I hand-cut every hard drive platter in the cyborg to be an exact replica of the corresponding piece in the dancer, right down to the bolt placement.’’ (PREMIER PHOTO)

Lake Worth Beach artist George Bayer with his series of playful cat paintings — ”because we all want to land on our feel and have nine lives and be independent, all the things cats do,’’ he said. (PREMIER PHOTO)

West Palm Beach artist Harold Caudio with his painting “In Tandem” (PREMIER PHOTO)

“Kinetic Energy” opening reception April 16, 2026. (PREMIER PHOTO)