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state of the arts
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By Shelley Green and Megan Voeller
With the fall season settling in, a new season of both exhibits and shows are falling onto the walls and stages of the Bay area’s finest cultural venues. In light of recent budget cuts, the art community has rolled up their sleeves and discovered ways to continue providing the arts to the Bay area. From the support of St. Petersburg College to the countdown of a new Tampa Museum of Art, new and improved is definitely on the menu this fall.
(From the top, left to right) Searing Wing at Ringling Museum of Art, Koitsu’s woodblock print at Leepa-Rattner, Opera at the Palladium, Adam, Eve and God, 1985 by Cher Shaffer, on view at Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Jersey Boys at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Stefan Sanderling of The Florida Orchestra, Luis Jimenez at The Arts Center, Cadaques is part of Dalí in Focus and highlights the influences of Cezanne and Picasso in Dalí’s work, Rendering of the proposed Tampa Museum of Art , James Harold Jennings’ Art World at Leepa-Rattner, Enchanted Beach for Dalí in Focus, Ringling Museum of Art
Downtown Tampa will soon see a new face and address for the Tampa Museum of Art. The 120,000-square-foot museum will be in Curtis Hixon Park, increasing gallery space and allowing more room for traveling shows.
“We have a collection of works on paper and twentieth century photography, but the public isn’t even aware we have these pieces,” said Ken Rollins, interim executive director. “The new spot will give the museum the opportunity to show and rotate these collections.”
Other exciting features include a space devoted specifically to art glass with a collection already promised to the museum and a café. “People can come have lunch, tour the museum and make a day out of it,” said Rollins.
The museum plans to break ground in early 2008 and complete construction in mid to late 2009, but not to worry, rotating exhibits and education classes will resume in an interim location at the Tampa Convention Center.
Further South at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, plans for a new Asian art wing are underway.
Since the museum’s merger with Florida State University in 2000, construction and renovation have been on the lips of the folks at Ringling. “Since renovations attendance has gone up almost 20 percent a month,” said Dr. John Wetenhall, executive director. “Our collection is internationally known with works on loan to the Louvre and the Vatican.” Currently, the museum is working on renovations to house the Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt Asian art collection.
From Wall-Apelt’s donation the museum will feature works including Chinese jades to Cambodian stone figures. Paired with the Koger collection of Chinese ceramics, Ringling adds a new genre of art to the museum’s already extensive collection. “New international strength is so important as the world becomes more global,” said Wetenhall. “Kids want to know more about all cultures.”
The collected works, to be housed in the west wing of the old gallery, will serve as the commander and chief of Ringling’s international expansion. A pavilion will also be added as the entrance to the west wing gallery along with an Asian tea garden to complement the enlightening collection.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have FSU and the community’s support,” said Wetenhall. “We are not immune to budget cuts and have to be very frugal, but we are very active in fundraising and still bring visitors to Ringling and Sarasota.”
Beautiful downtown St. Petersburg is looking forward to the spring 2008 completion of the new Museum of Fine Arts building. After receiving a Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant, the museum launched a full expansion plan. “The community has recognized the value and importance of the arts and cultural institutions,” said Roger Zeh, assistant director. “They have really stepped up as a community to make the new building happen. Without their support and that of private donors and fundraising, the project would not have been possible.”
The new two-story building will give shelter to larger galleries, a library, museum store, café and conservatory.
“With over 4,000 pieces in storage, we basically have art everywhere,” said Zeh. “The new building will double our space and allow us to bring forward many pieces we haven’t been able to in the past.” With 50 percent of construction finished, the makeover to Beach Drive will soon be complete.
Less than a mile away new Executive Director Paul Wilborn is upping the ante at the Palladium.
“Since the theater’s partnership with St. Petersburg College in January, they’ve been some what insulated from the art funding world,” said Wilborn, who joined the Palladium in July.
With the theater’s 10th anniversary season coming up next year, Wilborn’s goal is to renovate key elements such as the air and electrical systems, dressing rooms and concession area to really show off the historic building.
“The Palladium has become such an active player in the arts,” said Wilborn. “They’re having sold out shows and are set up to showcase the best local talent. My mission is to find that talent and begin building internal partnerships with local artists and organizations.”
St. Petersburg College extends their umbrella to The Florida Orchestra’s new administrative offices.
“Our new partnership is a way for them to bring organizations together and for us to build new relations and deepen our community ties,” said Emily McClain, chief operating officer.
The union with the college provides the Orchestra’s home offices a 40-year lease that will help cushion budget cuts just in time for this year’s 40th anniversary season. In celebration, the Orchestra is launching a campaign for their endowment fund, “Fabulous at Forty” along with other events throughout the season.
On a different campus at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Director Lynn Whitelaw gets creative. “We’re in the creativity business,” said Whitelaw. “As a non-profit we have to be more frugal, but we are very fortunate to be a part of St. Petersburg College and have the support of the private sector. Most of our exhibits this season are private collections and are a great way for the community, in particular collectors, to support museums during trying financial times.”
With a little help from Don Shea, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, American Stage joins St. Petersburg College and will upgrade to a new theater.
“With the rapid increase in real estate, the arts usually can’t afford to compete,” said Shea. “We used this to our advantage and negotiated selling the small, well-respected theater for a new $4 million theater in the downtown center.”
The 10,000-square-foot theater will seat 200 patrons and is scheduled to open in January 2009.
“My pitch on public funding and the arts is that people tend to gravitate towards worthy, not needy people,” said Shea. “Hold the position of worthy and support will follow to help offset the decline in funding.”
St. Petersburg residents can enjoy the full spectrum of comedy to horror this season at Mahaffey Theater’s Broadway Across America. The series highlights four shows, from the Wedding Singer to Sweeney Todd.
With Broadway on the brain do not miss out on the exclusive viewing of Jersey Boys at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Released from their Live Nation contract, TBPAC is the only venue offering the hit Broadway show in Florida.
“The number one advantage of having self-presented shows is we’re able to get the best shows as soon as they become available,” said President Judy Lisi. “We are working directly with producers of the Broadway shows which means we can work out dates, times and marketing ideas more efficiently and directly rather than going through a third party.”
TBPAC continues to self-produce operas and is featuring La Boheme on Nov. 16 and 18 for the Giacomo Puccini 150th anniversary.
Just over the causeway Ruth Eckerd Hall is celebrating their 25th anniversary.
To commemorate the event, Clearwater native and Tony award-nominated choreographer, David Byrd will unveil his new work created specifically for Ruth Eckerd and the anniversary. The world premiere show will be performed to Suite for Ruth, a jazz piece composed five years ago for the Hall’s 20th anniversary. The celebration will take place April 25, 2008 at Ruth Eckerd Hall.
“Donald Byrd is one of the most in-demand choreographers, so to have an artist of his caliber, along with his new dance company, Spectrum Dance Theater, debut the new work for the Hall’s 25th anniversary celebration is an enormous coup,” said Robert A. Freedman, president and CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc.
At The Arts Center the pieces are coming together for a phase approach to the new building.
“We’re in the process of raising money for the new facility, but we have the basic design and know our ultimate goal,” said Evelyn Craft, executive director. “So far we received $13 million in cash pledges and a $6 million donation of Dale Chihouly glass from Beth Morean and Jimmy Aviram. The actual glass will be featured in our new Center.”
The Salvador Dalí Museum is on the move, in more ways than one. Still in the early planning stages, the Dalí Museum will soon have a new three-story, storm safe home adjacent to the Mahaffey Theater, adding to the cultural hub in downtown St. Petersburg.
In the meantime, the Dalí Art Mobile is touring Pinellas county elementary schools.
“We have a blown up image of the Hallucinogenic Toreador that teaches students about symbolism and other elements in Dalí’s paintings,” said Peter Tush, director of education.
At the museum Dalí enthusiasts can enjoy the Dalí in Focus exhibit curated by Joan Kropf, curator of the collection.
Despite funding set backs the vibrant and diverse art community is still thriving. From new buildings to premiere performances, the Bay area art scene is definitely on the upswing.
STATE OFTHE ARTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
The Bay area arts scene is going strong—not only in the area’s museums, but also in the small private and non-profit galleries that make strolling through downtown St. Petersburg or Tampa’s Ybor City a memorable experience. Stop by the venues below for a selection of the finest original fine art available locally.
TAMPA
Baisden Gallery
For 15 years, Susan Baisden has cultivated elegant artistry next door to one of downtown Tampa’s favorite restaurants, Mise En Place. After managing Grand Central Gallery for nearly 8 years, Baisden bought and renamed the gallery, becoming known as a premiere destination for fine painting, sculpture, and glass art on the West Central Florida coast. The latest addition to her formidable stable of artists is Shelley Muzylowski Allen, whose robust, multi-colored renderings of horses defy any association of glass with fragility. 813-250-1511; baisdengallery.com.
Bleu Acier
Nestled in a former storefront in Tampa Heights, Bleu Acier houses both a contemporary art gallery and the working printmaking atelier of owner and master printer Erika Greenberg-Schneider. From November 9th, view new prints and sculptures by Tampa artist Marie Yoho Dorsey, a former student of Schneider’s and a graduate of the University of South Florida; in conjunction with the Bay area’s Arte festival, the gallery will also show new paintings by Miami-based artist Claudia Scalise. In December, look for Bleu Acier at the Bridge Art Fair during Art Basel Miami Beach.
813-272-9746; bleuacier.com.
Brad Cooper Gallery
This fall, historic Ybor City’s Brad Cooper Gallery celebrates 23 years of presenting fine art exhibitions. Through October 31st, Seattle artist Eric Montoya’s dramatic portraits of women camouflaged in the landscape take up residence in the gallery. November 3rd brings Cooper’s annual Fine Art Auction of paintings, drawings, photography, prints, ceramics, glass, and jewelry by artists who have exhibited in the gallery since 1984; a group show titled “Coexistence” begins on the 24th.
813-248-6098; bradcoopergallery.com.
Clayton Galleries
November ushers in Clayton Galleries annual and much-anticipated Small Works show. The diverse showcase of work by the gallery’s many talented artists—from painting and photography to sculpture and folk art with nothing over 24”—lets visitors peruse a broad selection at accessible price points. Art lovers, get your holiday shopping started here. Through the end of October check out striking black-and-white landscapes by Benjamin Dimmitt, a New York-based photographer and the gallery’s newest artist. In September, the gallery celebrated its 20th anniversary.
813-831-3753; claytongalleries.net.
Flight 19
With a decidedly contemporary bent, this non-profit arts space offers diamonds-in-the-rough for serious and adventurous collectors of contemporary art. In November, a selection of local artists of Latin American and Caribbean descent—including Guillermo Portieles, the Cuba-born winner of “Best In Show” at the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts earlier this year—lights up the space. The building that houses Flight 19 alone is worth a visit; the city leases the renovated historic baggage claim building at downtown Tampa’s Amtrak hub, Union Station, to the collective of artists that runs it for free. Experimentalskeleton.com.
ST. PETERSBURG
C. Emerson Fine Arts
With a little less than two years under her belt at C. Emerson Fine Arts, gallery owner Lori Johns has still managed to develop a reputation for high quality, thought-provoking exhibitions. In November, Spirituality and Materialism, an exhibit with plenty to say about the discontents of global consumerism, takes over the downtown St. Pete space. Look for arresting photographs of discarded shopping cards by Craig Robinson (New Mexico), mixed media paintings of Buddhist temples by Lee Lee (Colorado), and organic womb-evoking paintings in red and yellow by Cecilia Lueza, a recent transplant from Miami to the Bay area. 727-898-6068; c-emersonfinearts.com.
Florida Craftsmen Gallery
Visitors to Florida Craftsmen Gallery will find themselves bedazzled by an array crafts in all media—ceramics, furniture, assemblage, metalwork, turned wood, fiber, and more—on the gallery’s retail side. Check out the rotating exhibition space for the real fine art finds: work by preeminent contemporary artists who just happen to use materials traditionally associated with craft. From Nov. 9 through December, diverse and affordable works by artist-members of Florida Craftsmen fill the gallery just in time for holiday shopping during the annual Members’ Show. 727-821-7391; floridacraftsmen.net.
Nova 535
Housed in a gorgeous, meticulously renovated 1920’s structure with 18’ ceilings and Brazilian Hardwood Floors, NOVA 535 offers 7,000 sq. ft. of extraordinary & versatile event, gallery & meeting space with plenty of convenient parking. Our unique modern art gallery - event venue symbiosis features a full-service 60’ granite topped “S” bar, a world-class glass & steel floating DJ booth, discrete VIP service & private access, 2nd floor VIP bar, delicious catering, spectacular private balcony, intimate smoking terrace, ADA access, fully air-conditioned museum quality gallery space, ten spectacularly gorgeous bathrooms, 2 Plush Parlors, friendly, experienced yet discrete staff, professional grade audio/visual and HD theater capabilities. 727-821-NOVA; www.NOVA535.com.
St. Petersburg Clay Company
Celebrate Oktoberfest with a ceramic stein filled with frosty goodness at SPCC, one of the Southeast’s premiere facilities for the ceramic arts. On Oct. 13, visitors are invited to join member-artists for food, entertainment, raffles, and pottery-making demonstrations; the purchase of a hand-made mug for beer nets you a free helping of the cold stuff. Then on the first weekend of December, check out the 12th Annual Holiday Member Show and Sale with handcrafted pottery gifts, from Christmas ornaments to fireplace mantles. 727-896-2529; stpeteclay.com.
Studio@620
From Nov. 15-Dec. 15, the Studio showcases “The Water Is Wide: The Art of Boat Building,” an exhibit devoted to Florida’s boat building heritage with full-sized historical and contemporary boats, models, drawings, and photographs of boat construction. Hands-on activities include a boat-building workshop for children held by Sea Quest Kids and electric and model boat sailing on Mirror Lake in downtown St. Petersburg. On Saturdays throughout the exhibit, enjoy concerts maritime songs presented by local choral groups and the Main Hatch Motleys of Cortez, FL. 727-895-6620; thestudioat620.com.
— Megan Voeller |
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