By Caron Schwartz
For the benefit of USF Graphicstudio
Please join USF Graphicstudio in Tampa to celebrate the 25th Annual Benefit Sale on May 20, 10am-5pm. Hundreds of original, artist-signed, fine art prints and sculptures will be on display and available for sale at discounted prices. Questions or more information email Kristin at soderqvi@usf.edu.
Art with a theme
DRV Gallery in Gulfport presents Art in Harmony, a photography exhibit by award-winning Tampa photographer Donna Green. Although she’s known for shooting legendary musicians including B.B. King, Sting, and Lyle Lovett, this show features local musicians, many of whom will perform at the opening on May 11 from 6-8pm. Art in Harmony runs through May 27. drvgallery.com
Morean Arts Center hosts Art of Valor: Photography Workshop Sat. May 20 and Sat. June 10, 1-4pm. Operation: Art of Valor is a community-based program that offers art programs for military patients and veterans through structured, hands-on learning. Free to participants, it is limited to veterans only. Register: 727-822-7872 x2121 or bit.ly/3mvwB50
PAVA (Professional Association of Visual Artists) is pleased to announce its Photographs and Memories exhibit is on display now through June 24 at The Cool Art Shop in Dunedin. The show features color and black-and-white photography as well as fine-craft memories including jewelry, metal, pottery, and more. pava-artists.org
Thank you, Ms. Doggett
If you’ve been able to find your way around airports around the world, including Tampa International Airport, you have Jane Davis Doggett to thank. Doggett, who recently passed away at the age of 93, came up with many airports’ Red Side/Blue Side and other “wayfinder” concepts. The Tampa Bay resident also designed the TPA’s iconic “Spirit of Flight” logo.
Better business for artists
The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance presents its annual Arts Business Academy (ABA) for creatives of all stripes. Training is provided by local arts professionals and business leaders in six weekly sessions from May 10-June 14. Tuition is $199 and scholarships are available. For information and registration: bit.ly/3zY8mji
More powerful than graffiti
Creative Pinellas, in partnership with Pinellas County, has selected artists for the 2023 ARTWorks Signal Box Project: Kim Michelle Coakley, Amy Ilić-Volpe, Richard Logan, Clifton Moorhead, Heather Rippert, Diane V Radel, Patricia Rosa Gobbo, Heidi Stavinga, and Pamela Trow. The project’s goal is to deter graffiti by transforming traffic signal control boxes into public art. For more information see bit.ly/43uzOCB
Shows, shows, shows
Ybor City’s LAB Theater Project presents Fire Thief May 4-21. Based on a Greek myth, this new drama by Laura Hirshberg explores the path of the titan Prometheus as he sacrifices his place on Mt. Olympus to bring fire to mankind. The story illuminates the joy and pain that inspiration and creativity can bring to creators and those around them. Tickets are $31 and are available at labtheaterproject.com.
Join The Florida Orchestra as it brings the best of American and world music to Tampa Bay in its 2023-24 season: Gershwin, Copland, Holst, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, and many more. In the Raymond James Pops series, the circus meets the symphony in Cirque Dances with Troupe Vertigo. TFO also honors 60 years of The Beatles in Twist & Shout. And don’t miss the Morning Matinees. For a complete listing see bit.ly/3KAAZrr
St. Petersburg City Theatre 2023-2024 season tickets are now on sale. Productions include Mary Poppins, A Christmas Carol, and Don’t Dress for Dinner. The price for all three shows is just $55! To learn more (including summer camps and apprentice programs) click spcitytheatre.org.
Children’s Corner
Want to raise kind, generous kids? Take them to the art museum! The feeling of awe inspired by great art can be a humbling experience that encourages kids to help others, rather than focusing on their own needs. According to a study by Eftychia Stamkou published in Psychological Science, “In encounters with vast mysteries, awe makes individuals feel small, humble, and less entitled, thereby shifting their attention toward the needs and concerns of others rather than the self.”
Tombolo Books invites you to join them for Storytime every Thursday morning from 9:30-10am. They’ll open up the store a little early for the kiddos and have guest readers reading aloud some of the newest hits from our picture book section. The story selection is aimed at the pre-K to beginning reader crowd, but all ages are welcome! tombolobooks.com
The Dunedin Fine Art Center has proudly offered over 35 years of Summer Art Enrichment fun. Art classes are taught by local multi-media experts with skills from painting to clay to drawing to dreamin’! The Summer Art Academy runs from May 30 – August 4 and welcomes children 4-1/2 to 14 years old. So, what are you waiting for? Enroll Now! Visit dfac.org or call 727-298-DFAC.
Pride Month is coming
Gulfport’s LGBTQ Resource Center invites you to ArtOUT 2023: Emergence, an international juried art show, on display at the James Museum in St. Pete and Gulfport Public Library June 1-30. Jurors for ArtOUT 2023 are internationally renowned glass artist Duncan McClellan, award-winning ceramicist Brenda McMahon, and commercial and fine artist Ray Domingo. For more information go to bit.ly/3TpSS08
Call for artists
Zoie’s is looking for local artists to display and promote their artwork in its St. Pete restaurant. Looking for a Southern flair that celebrates artists and music from the South. The sestaurant will not take a commission fee, as it supports all local talent. For more information and to apply, click zoiesfl.com.
And dancers
Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg is looking for dancers of all ages to join its technique and performance classes. This season they are casting for Coppelia full-length performance and appearances at the St. Pete Pier and Largo Festival. The academy helps build portfolios for college and beyond. bit.ly/3ohMmxe
Stand-up intellectual
In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Fran Lebowitz stands out as one of our most insightful commentators. Listen to her off-the-cuff acerbic views when she comes to The Straz Center on Nov. 4 at 7:30pm. A 30-minute Q&A and book signing will follow her talk, and you can buy her books, courtesy of Oxford Exchange. Tickets start at $55. strazcenter.org
Help Wanted
Florida Botanical Gardens seeks Holiday Lights “Workshop Elves.” On the second Saturday of each month, volunteers gather to help plan and implement the Holiday Lights display. The next workday is May 13, with two-hour shifts from 8am-3pm. Work continues throughout the summer with installation beginning in the fall. Sign up here: bit.ly/41aYRZM
