West Tampa Center For The Arts Blog

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Are You Inside or Outside the Box?

Boxes … they’re everywhere … they play a huge role in our lives and yet, we really don’t think about them. There’s pretty much no way to avoid them as for the most part, everything we eat, buy or store comes in a box and from the time we were little ones with big imaginations, we even played in them! So okay, boxes are a given … they’re not going anywhere … but I guess my question is, when did we stop seeing their potential? Or for that matter, when did we get stuck in them …

Modern Bohemian Gallery
Upcycled Shipping Container
Design by Mishou Sanchez

I have the distinct pleasure of being surrounded by creative people every day. But as much as most of these fabulous artists are prone to “think outside”, even they can get mired in the muck of the closed box. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few individuals that take life’s boxes and turn them into childhood castles to play in/with, but too often there’s always something in that box that will try to confine and define you.

Upcycled Cigar Box
by Moira Shiver

ART of BOX is an attempt to get the juices flowing and to get people thinking outside their box. The use of the box in this show symbolizes life and man’s ability to not only make choices, but to take the mind that appears finite and closed and open it to reveal the beauty within. "Life is like a BOX of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”. If the artists are successful in breaking free, the submissions for ART of BOX promise to be just as intriguing.

ART of BOX – October 25, 2013 – 7:00 – 11:00 PM

https://www.facebook.com/events/145743878969574/

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

"THE REWIND" - An Artistic View of Tampa's Creative Past

West Tampa Center for the Arts (WTCA) is happy to announce its intention to take a step back in time to discover and embrace Tampa’s historic cultural past. A kick off for the 2013-14 WTCA season, this themed art show is calling for artwork that captures the guts, gore, glory and glamour of “Vintage Tampa” and its long gone and often times forgotten eras of the 1920’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.

"Tampa Red"

Whether exploring "The Scrub", showcasing Central Ave and the “Chitlin’ Circuit”, the historical contributions of Tampa’s cigar industry and/or the underbelly of Tampa’s dark side, artists are encouraged to document and help teach newcomers and Tampa natives alike the rich cultural history of Tampa Bay and showcase the important influences it’s had on the world today.

"Vicente Martinez"

"Santo Trafficante"

“They say that history repeats itself and I couldn’t agree more”, says Moira Shiver, Art Director of WTCA. “When researching the time period for the show, I couldn’t help but notice the tenacity of Tampa’s artistic soul. Just as in the past, there is an explosion of creative energy going on in Tampa Bay today, and that’s in spite of it also being one of the most challenging and financially oppressed artistic times in recent history. Tampa artists of today remind me of our courageous ancestors who built a vibrant community in the throes of darkness and ended up producing some of the world’s most influential and celebrated artists of our time.”

Artists interested in submitting work for consideration for “THE REWIND” can find the call on WTCA’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WTCArts. Additional information regarding subject matter can be found at the follow links but not limited to, http://www.tdblues.com/2010/07/tampa-blues-history-the-artists/, http://www.tdblues.com/2009/12/historical-blues-tampa-florida/ and http://www.cigarsoftampa.com/history.html.

See you in the past!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Artistic Scavenger Hunt at Historic Santaella Cigar Factory Benefits Local Breast Cancer Non-Profit, Faces of Courage

West Tampa Center for the Arts once again takes a creative leap to showcase the arts of Tampa Bay. “PINK”, a fine art show featuring the eternal master subject, the female form, will host an “Art Hunt” during the event, with proceeds going toward helping bring hope to families dealing with breast cancer. A mad dash scavenger hunt around the historic Santaella Cigar Factory will introduce fine art, mediums, techniques and artists to participants and raise funds for the local non-profit, “Faces of Courage”.

A $10.00 donation to participate in the hunt will be added to additional fundraising efforts slated for the evening, which include a book signing by breast cancer survivor MacKenzie Crowne and her newly released comedic survival guide of hope, “Where Would You Like Your Nipple?”, a live art auction of donated fine art pieces and a special body painting presentation by “Nipple’s” local book cover artist, Lisa Scholder.

Show Dates and Times: $5.00 Admission

Saturday, October 13, 2012, 6 – 10 PM

Scavenger Hunt: 7:00 PM $10.00 Donation

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Coming Soon to a Gallery Near You - Revolution of Art in Tampa Bay!

Fibrous 1

Coming this Friday, September 21st, an explosion of hard core art and raw energy and a celebration of the One Year Anniversary of Hoffman Porges Gallery!

Two Tampa masters ignite the rough edges of the artistic world with years of friendship, collaboration and respect to bring a lifetime of creativity to the masses.

Greg Latch and Ray Paul have been friends, colleagues and competitive artists for years. It was 1995 to be exact when the two officially met at Artist’s Unlimited and began a journey of creativity and...

Rasta (Eye This Eye)

friendship. Destined to bring great things to each other and the place they call home, Tampa Bay, when asked about a name for their show, it wasn’t long before “Art Brutes” was thrown on the table.

Although Latch and Paul may not meet the original definition of French artist Jean Dubuffet’s coined term, “Art Brut”, the literal translation of the term fits them perfectly. A combination of “synthesis of life experiences and a desire to illuminate the subconscious” and “physiological and/or are fantastical in nature” these artists push the limit of imagination with an outcome of perfectly balanced rawness.

The most recent in a long line of art show collaborations from New York to Miami, “Art Brutes” is a select collection from the artists, including recent works never before seen. The Opening Reception, to be held at Hoffman Porges Gallery in Ybor City, September 21st from 6 – 10 PM will celebrate the rich blend of their artistic contribution to the Tampa art scene. A portion of art sales will benefit the Amandalee Fund, a research fund at Moffit Cancer Center, where Paul is currently undergoing treatment for High Grade Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Christine Reynolds Photography - Not So Hidden Talents Housed in Santaella Cigar Factory

"Decisions"

The Tampa art community is endless with creative vision coming from all realms and mediums, yet there’s one area of the Tampa art world I’ve found often overlooked and somewhat under appreciated. I could not help but ask why it is that a photographer seems to be considered a lesser artist in the art world? Could it be that they simply have to buy a good camera, have a good eye for composition, find a great subject, make sure they’ve got good light and snap the photo? I mean, how hard can that be? Yikes! I’m glad I’m on the other side of the computer after that comment as from what I’ve learned about the craft, that’s as far from the truth as my chances of taking an award winning photo with my camera phone.

"And Your Question Is?"

Christine Reynolds, a commercial, editorial and fine art photograph, and one of Santaella’s first residents, brings a wealth of talent to the building and beyond. The first of two photographers in house to hold the esteemed title of Florida Degree of Professional Excellence (Bob Sergeant is our 2^nd resident to hold the accreditation); Christine goes one step further to achieve the coveted Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Master Photographer status and title. Her most recent accomplishment in the 2012 PPA International Print Competition was having 3 out of 4 award winning images in three different categories (Portraiture, Commercial and Illustrative Landscape). It would be safe to say that she is not only accomplished among her peers; she is also a fine artist in her own right. It isn’t until you take into account however that most photographers stay in 1 or 2 categories that you begin to understand the true merit of her diversity and ability.

One statement by Christine keeps jumping back to my mind. “I create images as I see them in my minds’ eye”. Well isn’t that what all artists do? So again, I ask, why is it that a photographer is not as respected in Tampa as all other artists? Well Christine, in my humble opinion, your art work and creative ability is not only beautiful … I believe it cements the issue that all us “Tampa art appreciators” should take another look …

To learn more about Christine, her vision and her teaching schedule, follow her blog at http://digitalconcepts.christinereynolds.com/.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Call to Artists: "PINK" - Fundraiser for "Faces of Courage" and "Making Strides for Breast Cancer"

Call to Artists - “PINK” – Fundraiser for “Faces of Courage” and “Making Strides for Breast Cancer”

Phone: Moira Shiver 813-505-8802

Show Dates: 10/5/12 – 10/28/12

Application Deadline: 9/14/12 Midnight EST

REQUIREMENTS:

Images: Up to 5

(Application Fee): $5.00 Per Image

West Tampa Center for the Arts (WTCA), a Florida non-profit, 501 (c)(3) is now accepting submissions for its upcoming October 2012 event, “Pink”, a fundraiser for Florida based non-profit, “Faces of Courage” and the national non-profit, “Making Strides for Breast Cancer”. Featuring the art of “Bodies of Courage” body artist Lisa Scholder and author of the new “comedic survival guide to breast cancer”, “Where Do You Want Your Nipple”, Mackenzie Crowne, “Pink” will focus on the beauty, mystery, strength and soul of women through the talent, inspiration and creation of the artist.

In as many moods of a woman as there are facets of artist mediums, all work across the divide of mediums is acceptable and all artists should feel free to submit. A retrospect of women, “PINK” looks to honor the simplicity and complexity of the ever studied and interpreted master subject, the female form.

All images should be sent via email to wtcatampa@gmail.com along with your completed application. Payments should be sent to the same email via Paypal. For those submitting artists that do not have a Paypal account, payments can be made at WTCA’s blog through the donation button, http://wtcatampa.blogspot.com/.

Artists will be notified of acceptance no later than September 21, 2012, with a work drop off deadline of September 28, 2012.

WTCA will retain a 30% commission on art sales and all monies raised after expenses will be divided between our two charities.

For more information on this call for artists, additional open calls or information on WTCA, visit http://wtcatampa.blogspot.com/.

Application for “PINK”

Artist Name: ___________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

Email: ________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________________________________________________

Entry 1:

Title: _______________________________________________________________________________

Media: ______________________________________________________________________________

Size: ________________________________________________________________________________