Let's have a round of applause for venues that not only don’t charge artists to submit entry fees, but they also don’t take a percentage of an artist’s sold works. The Tampa Covenant Church is doing just that with their 3rd year running their
Opus art exhibition held on May 18 at 7 p.m., featuring local artists during a one-night pop-up show.
“This is our third year and it’s growing steadily each year. We came up with the idea for OPUS since the Tampa Covenant Church has always had a huge influx of artists, so it’s always been a part of the culture of this church. The building itself was created by Alfonso Architects to be a work of art itself with lots of space so we thought it would be a great idea to open it up to show artists. We want to support local artists with artists keeping all of the money from the sales of their work,” says Rich Van Voorst, Creative Director of OPUS.
With rows of gridwall for exhibiting works, different artists apply each year. There are even first, second, and third place prizes with generous support from Dick Blick Art Materials. Open to the public, guests will be treated to hors d’oeuvres and drinks. In the past, roughly 300-400 people have meandered through the exhibition to check out the art.
“We are happy to do this for the artists. You can actually talk to the artists so you can hear more about their work. Part of the work we see ourselves doing is bringing art back to the city,” Van Voorst says.“We want people to read and engage in art slowly, which isn’t as prominent here than it is in European and Asian cultures. “
Other art events in May:
Interested in public art and wanting to learn more about public art trends, how to engage audiences, and where the future of public art is headed? On May 2-4, join other public art enthusiasts during the
Florida Association of Public Art Professionals Conference for lectures, discussions, and even a tour of the newest commissioned works at the Tampa International Airport. To attend the conference, you must register up online (prices vary), but there is a pre-conference session that is free and open to all.
Ah, Spring. The time of the year where it feels like summer, but you only know because of the plethora of festivals sprouting up around town; and the
Tampa International Fringe Festival is one of those blooms you want to seek out. As a ten-day performing arts festival that is spread out across venues throughout Ybor City, you’ll be treated with shows from comedy, rock musicals, magic shows, and much more. The festival runs May 3-12 and tickets can be purchased online.
There will be music (and tantalizing smells) in the air on May 4-5 during
Tampa Riverfest at Curtis Hixon Park and other venues along the Riverwalk. Come for the bands, but stick around for the Weiner Dog Derby.
Cinco de Mayo might be Cinco de Spend-o for some. On May 5,
Graphicstudio will be hosting its Benefit Sale and Open house from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., with the funds going toward Graphicstudio’s research and education programs. Some of their newest releases include Alex Katz, Duke Riley, Abel Barroso, Esterio Segura, Aya Tarek, Kalup Linzy, and Diana Al-Hadid.
GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS is a new show (no, not that kind of show) coming to
The Bricks Ybor on May 12. In a 3-woman exhibition showcasing the works of Ashley Cantero, SooJin Brown, and Cheryl Cabbat Weber, the doors will be open from 8 p.m. – 3 a.m.
From May 16-20, listen to some varied tunes at the
Orange Blossom Jamboree Music and Art Festival at Sertoma Ranch in Brooksville. This festival features over 50 bands, many which hail across Florida cities. Stay overnight and see if you can score the honor of “Coolest Campsite” in their contest.
On May 17, Jefferson High School students will debut their work at
USF CAM in their “A Wave of Change” exhibition. The Contemporary Art Museum reception will be from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., and will be on view through May 18.
Don’t get FOMO: from May 18-20, the
Carrollwood Players will be hosting their One Act Weekend with eight short never-before-seen plays. Tickets can be purchased online.
In a three-person show featuring the works of Melvin Halsey Jr., Indie Reece, and Christopher Clark, the exhibition Ancient Roots will be opening at
MergeCulture (previously Illsol) in North Tampa on May 19. Though each artist works in a different medium ranging from paintings to digital to multi-media, there are connections to African and Caribbean culture that ties their work together.
Works on paper never seem to get the same credit as paintings, but starting on May 26, printmaking will get its due recognition. On view through August 19, “From Muse and Myth to Figure and Gesture: 50 Years of Prints from the Permanent Collection” at the
Tampa Museum of Art will restore power to the paper with selections from artists like Lisa Yuskavage, Jim Dine, Alex Katz, Max Neumann, Keith Haring, and Niki de St. Phalle.