FloridaFuture
July 18th, 2007, 02:55 PM
Theme Of Art Exhibition Is 'Life Is Creating Yourself'
The Tampa Tribune
Published: July 18, 2007
DOWNTOWN - TECO Public Art Gallery is presenting an exhibit through Aug. 15 of works by students in the Fine Arts Studio at the MacDonald Training Center.
Called 'Life is Creating Yourself,' the theme speaks to the lives of the show's 20 artists. The MacDonald center serves adults with developmental disabilities.
'They are absolutely exploding with joy and creativity,' said Rita Hattab, fine arts instructor for the program, which is about a year old. 'Now they have the freedom to become the artists they are by nature. We didn't make them artists. We just offered them the opportunity to let it out.'
Participating artist Omoro Ralls, 29, of West Tampa, has autism.
'His work is very masculine, very strong, with lots of bold strokes and color,' Hattab said. 'We're seeing the beauty of the emotion he puts into his work.'
Ralls has several new pieces in the TECO show, including the watercolors 'Lighthouse' and 'Reflections,' and the acrylics 'Red and Black Composition' and 'Symphony Vase.' Two of his previous paintings were chosen for a public art project in the West Shore area.
Faye Clegg, 42, of north Tampa, also is featured at TECO. Her acrylic painting style is reminiscent of local folk artist Ruby Williams.
'It's the same kind of innocent folkloric style as Ruby's, with bright bold colors and primitive designs,' Hattab said. 'She has her own point of view, and it's very saucy and lively.'
Her pieces are highly narrative, telling of her life as a young black woman.
Artist Glen Nash, 40, also lives in north Tampa. His paintings have almost a Matisse quality in their simplicity and form.
'His work is very stylized,' Hattab said. 'He's a very fine artist who came to our center primarily for the art center. He spends his whole day painting and it's just a privilege to watch him. He's so brilliant.'
The art studio has two more major exhibits on its fall calendar and last week opened a clay studio, complete with kiln, funded by the Joy McCann Foundation.
'We've been amazed by how the community has opened up its hearts and wallets to us,' Hattab said. 'Some of our people are doing very well financially based on selling their art.'
Many of the artists in the TECO show will attend an auction of their work from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 9 at the gallery, 702 N. Franklin St. Proceeds will be split between the artist and the MacDonald center; all of the pieces are framed and priced from $100 to $200.
'Next year, they'll be higher because I think our artists are just going to get better,' Hattab said. 'They are emerging artists now but pretty soon they will be arriving.'
The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. For information, contact Debra Jo Radke at (813) 831-6119 or dradke1@tampabay.rr.com.
Friday Night Event Has Tropical Theme
Art After Dark with Starbucks will be from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Drive.
Held on the third Friday of each month, this month's theme of Island Party celebrates summer with Hawaiian and Tahitian dance performances by Karina's School of Hawaiian and Belly dance, and steel drum music by Mello Vibes Entertainment.
The museum's exhibits can be viewed during the event.
Admission is free for museum members and $10 for nonmembers. For information, call (813) 274-8534 or go online to www.Tampa Museum.com.
Correspondent Esther Hammer can be reached at (813) 835-2108 or ehammer@tampatrib.com.
http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/jul/18/st-theme-of-art-exhibition-is-life-is-creating-you/?news
The Tampa Tribune
Published: July 18, 2007
DOWNTOWN - TECO Public Art Gallery is presenting an exhibit through Aug. 15 of works by students in the Fine Arts Studio at the MacDonald Training Center.
Called 'Life is Creating Yourself,' the theme speaks to the lives of the show's 20 artists. The MacDonald center serves adults with developmental disabilities.
'They are absolutely exploding with joy and creativity,' said Rita Hattab, fine arts instructor for the program, which is about a year old. 'Now they have the freedom to become the artists they are by nature. We didn't make them artists. We just offered them the opportunity to let it out.'
Participating artist Omoro Ralls, 29, of West Tampa, has autism.
'His work is very masculine, very strong, with lots of bold strokes and color,' Hattab said. 'We're seeing the beauty of the emotion he puts into his work.'
Ralls has several new pieces in the TECO show, including the watercolors 'Lighthouse' and 'Reflections,' and the acrylics 'Red and Black Composition' and 'Symphony Vase.' Two of his previous paintings were chosen for a public art project in the West Shore area.
Faye Clegg, 42, of north Tampa, also is featured at TECO. Her acrylic painting style is reminiscent of local folk artist Ruby Williams.
'It's the same kind of innocent folkloric style as Ruby's, with bright bold colors and primitive designs,' Hattab said. 'She has her own point of view, and it's very saucy and lively.'
Her pieces are highly narrative, telling of her life as a young black woman.
Artist Glen Nash, 40, also lives in north Tampa. His paintings have almost a Matisse quality in their simplicity and form.
'His work is very stylized,' Hattab said. 'He's a very fine artist who came to our center primarily for the art center. He spends his whole day painting and it's just a privilege to watch him. He's so brilliant.'
The art studio has two more major exhibits on its fall calendar and last week opened a clay studio, complete with kiln, funded by the Joy McCann Foundation.
'We've been amazed by how the community has opened up its hearts and wallets to us,' Hattab said. 'Some of our people are doing very well financially based on selling their art.'
Many of the artists in the TECO show will attend an auction of their work from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 9 at the gallery, 702 N. Franklin St. Proceeds will be split between the artist and the MacDonald center; all of the pieces are framed and priced from $100 to $200.
'Next year, they'll be higher because I think our artists are just going to get better,' Hattab said. 'They are emerging artists now but pretty soon they will be arriving.'
The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. For information, contact Debra Jo Radke at (813) 831-6119 or dradke1@tampabay.rr.com.
Friday Night Event Has Tropical Theme
Art After Dark with Starbucks will be from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Drive.
Held on the third Friday of each month, this month's theme of Island Party celebrates summer with Hawaiian and Tahitian dance performances by Karina's School of Hawaiian and Belly dance, and steel drum music by Mello Vibes Entertainment.
The museum's exhibits can be viewed during the event.
Admission is free for museum members and $10 for nonmembers. For information, call (813) 274-8534 or go online to www.Tampa Museum.com.
Correspondent Esther Hammer can be reached at (813) 835-2108 or ehammer@tampatrib.com.
http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/jul/18/st-theme-of-art-exhibition-is-life-is-creating-you/?news