Artists of Central Tampa Unite!

Tonight was the Seminole Heights Town Hall meeting of the Arts Council Artist Advisory Committee. It was held at Covivant. About 40 people showed up. Lots of information shared that I did not take good notes about. However Kathy Steel of the Trib was there and I'm sure she will do her usual good story. Here are a few items. Perhaps the AAC will fill in some of the blank spots when they read the blog.

1. The Arts Council new website is TampaArts.Org

2. Chelsea Goodwin announced her call for artists for show called Neighborhood Watch. She is a Seminole Heights resident who has created this juried video show in Seminole Heights. The artists will project video on the homes of Seminole Heights residents and culminate with awards being presented in a Seminole heights home. Last day to enter is 3/7/06. The show is 3/31/06 Friday from 9PM to 10PM. If anyone knows her please ask her to email me the call for artists and any promo material so I can accurately write about it.

3. Paul Wilborn introduced developer (or architect or something like that) who working on the building that will be replacing the old Mass Brother's site. He is exploring offering some lower cost places to live in the building for artists. To help maintain a creative spirit in downtown and attract people to the building. The developer wants feedback from artisits. Email Paul Wilborn for more details. Paul Wilborn also mentioned some other things including a Community Design Center that I will need to get more details from City of Tampa Arts Cultural Affairs website.

3. There was a little survey they had you fill out to get an idea of what needs or wants the artists had. This generated much discussion. It was agreed that Central Tampa Artists need to organize, to communicate, to share infomation. People talked about creating artists studio tours, art shows in the park and other activities to gain more money and publicity and exposure for Central Tampa Artists. As part of that I volunteered to create a Google Group "Central Tampa Artists" to help achieve the aims. Power to the Creative People! Unite! (Although is trying to organize artists like herding cats?) There was discussion about a North Tampa Arts Group that has exploded the arts activities in North Tampa that we could emulate them.

5. I also volunteered to post on my sidebar a link to the website any artist in Central Tampa. Email me the link and include which Central Tampa neighborhood you are in so I can organize by neighborhoods.

6. Don't Forget. March 4. The Booty Art Expo will feature emerging and established artists and will run in conjunction with Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Location: Franklin Street at Kennedy Blvd. Some of the art is in PODS.