ARE TAMPA ARTISTS DOOMED TO WASH UP IN THE BAY? 

There has been much talk about the necessity to revive the arts in Tampa.  The city has plans to turn downtown into a rich cultural hotspot with shops rejuvenating downtown after 5 o’clock; a whole avenue laden with the arts. Dedicated to fun, entertaining and whimsical things to do stretching from the Museum downtown to who knows where?  But when is this supposed to happen? Does the community support a rich culture? In the past, galleries have opened and closed and currently it’s a treasure hunt to find quality art from Tampa artists.  Yes, Tampa does hold events such as Gala Corina and the Hyde Park Art Festival where artists can showcase for a week or a few days and apparently do fairly well.  Truthfully though, how many people are really aware of much of what is going on?   The interest in fine art has seemingly become a thing of the past.  Sure, artists and the art community are involved, but that’s what they do; of course they would support one another.  However, that support doesn’t make it a thriving business like college football. The everyday Tampanian wouldn’t think twice about shelling out a few hundred dollars to see USF play some other college team. That same Tampanian would balk at paying anything over a hundred for a unique, quality piece of fine art they could enjoy forever.  I’m not saying that the arts in Tampa are completely dead, just that they are comatose and on life support at TGH.  There are a few treasures out there, but how long can we expect them to last.  One in particular comes to mind; the Tampa Artist Emporium. Located in Hyde Park Village, it has taken in artists who have been forced out of other galleries due to closings. Fostering artists wanting to show and sell their unique perspective on life and in art. Many of whom are finding it harder and harder to maintain as a livelihood.  This orphanage for creatives houses talented painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, pottery makers and more and has been a refuge from all the gallery closings across the bay area.  Currently over 64 local artists show their work seven days a week eagerly anticipating a sale so that they might purchase more supplies to create more beautiful pieces of art.  The Tampa Artist Emporium is in the desirable high traffic Hyde Park Village that has just undergone an extreme business makeover.  They will in just over six months of business be forced to move to make room for (big surprise here) more condos.  The spaces they might have been able to move into in the village are so extremely expensive that they will have to go elsewhere.  Where?  It seems if things don’t make a change this gem will too suffer the same fate as so many other fine art institutions in the Tampa bay area.  All is not completely hopeless; the Tampa Artist Emporium has every intention to stick around and become a success. Although it is currently the tortoise and not the hare at the beginning of the race, it is determined to prevail. They hold art mixers at least once a month, have in their few months of business supported three local charities, and are pinching every dollar to see this through.  I encourage everyone to come see the amazing work featured in this gallery while you still can. 

The Tampa Artist Emporium has a big month planned for November 2007.  On Saturday November 10^th from 4-8pm they will hold their monthly art mixer where anyone can come at no cost and enjoy viewing the art, speaking with many of the artists as well as complimentary food and wine.  The food for the mixers is always catered by Timpano Chophouse and is never less than exceptional. An evening of this is different from your normal Saturday night, is inspiring and always promises a nice time. Then, on Friday, November 16^th from 5:30 – 8:30pm, in conjunction with Arté 2007 and the Hispanic Professional Women’s Association (HWPA); they will host an evening of networking celebrating Latin American culture and art.  A $10 donation is asked at the door and will be applied directly to the HWPA scholarship and mentoring program offered to an outstanding young Latina student. Wine and cheeses provided. Come support the arts while the arts are still in Tampa.  The Tampa Artist Emporium is located at 1618 Snow Ave. Tampa, FL 33606.  More information can be obtained online at www.tampaartistemporium.com

Clay Hedden

For more information on this article, these events, or the Tampa Artist Emporium contact:

Clay Hedden

PR & Events Manager – Tampa Artist Emporium 

This stylized portrait is the latest in my large scale ventures into painting. It is still a work in progress but I decided to post it up anyhow. I have taken a short break from this one while taking managerial statistics. This painting has caused a problem of movement from the studio to anywhere else as it is 7 feet tall and three feet wide and I drive an Acura. One of these days I’m gonna make a friend that owns a truck.  

This is another Untitled abstract painting in the series.  This one however, is painted to stand taller than the others. It is also 3×4 Feet, but the colors are much more subdued.  

This is an untitled painting is the series of three.  Just trying my hand at abstraction and color. It is 4×3 Feet in size.  

This is the first of an untitled series of three.  The actual size of this painting is 4×3 Feet. mainly I was just experiementing with abstraction and color.  

A photograph I developed the “old fashioned way.” I have had many ask me what it is, and have told some, but I prefer to let the viewer make whatever of it that they will.  What do you think? I might just let you in on it. 

I did this a few years ago while getting used to photoshop and what kind of “magic” one can do with it.  I was pleased with the outcome. At the time it was the best (in my opinion) of all the digital art I had created.  It is pretty dark, but at the time that is how I was feeling. 

This was an inside spread created in conjunction with the last post of the magazine cover. My goal was to create a layout which appeared to belong in the magazine that the cover was created for.  

 This is a Magazine cover I did recently. The magazine was directed at younger markets interested in the world of pop music.  The aim was to create a magazine for those who do read Rolling Stone, but to have a little more fun with it, much like the tabloids.  Definitely brighter and and funkier. 

This is chalk and charcoal on grey paper.  It is a study of reflective objects for an advanced drawing course.  This was the result.