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A fine weekend for art
Nice weather and the works of 300 artists and craftspeople should attract crowds to the bay area's largest outdoor art show.
By MARY ANN MARGER
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 1, 2001
Ellie Diez-Massaro, Dakota Sky
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Count on plenty that's new under the sun as the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts takes place Saturday and Sunday along Ashley Drive in downtown Tampa. More than half of this year's 300 artists did not exhibit there last year, and many have never shown in the bay area before.
And count on plenty of sun as the drought continues.
But whether by newcomers or oldtimers, there will be no drought of art. With 300 artists, Gasparilla is the area's largest outdoor show and often the best.
The show's longtime distinction of attracting leading area avant-garde artists has diminished somewhat in recent years. The avant-garde rarely sell art in an outdoor festival setting. In the past, they came for prize money (as high as $21,000 for Best-of-Show in 1991) and for the exposure to renowned judges such as Time magazine critic Robert Hughes or Whitney Biennial curator Lisa Phillips, who might further their careers. Still, some judges have overlooked the risk-takers in favor of crafts artists of great skill.
Thus, the past five years' top prize winners here again this weekend, run the gamut from the daring paintings of James Michaels (1990) and Ummarid "Tony" Eitharong's drawings (1993 and 1998) to the craftsmanship of Jean Yao's baskets (1997), James Spiroff's ceramics (1999) and Grant Silverstein's graphics (2000).
Robinson Scott, glass
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Recent winners from other top area shows are also exhibiting. David Greenbaum's porcelain took best-of-show at Temple Beth-El (St. Petersburg) in January; Nancy Cervenka-McLaughlin's film sculpture won best-of-show at Dunedin Art Harvest in November, and Gael and Howard Silverblatt's cloisonne jewelry has taken the top prize at Mainsail Arts Festival three times.
Each of these artists works with different materials, yet each shows a high degree of mastery, originality and integrity. If you're new to outdoor shows, you would do well to educate yourself at their booths before venturing further. If you just don't get it, the artist is there to explain.
As you stroll down Ashley and adjacent streets, you're bound to be seduced by the work of newcomers, or artists returning after a hiatus. Among those to look for:
Tampa photographer Barbra Beeler, who shoots staged settings with a Polaroid, then transfers the image to watercolor paper. In Gasparilla for the first time, she is one of the area's most talked-about young artists and showed in the Tampa Museum of Art's prestigious "underCURRENT/overVIEW" last year. Where will she go from here?
Miami painter Suza Talbot. Her last area show of note was a biggie: The Ringling Museum's biennial Statewide Juried Show. But that was in 1994; then she was creating bold scenes of wild animals and Masai warriors from Africa. Previously she had done abstracts. Has her work changed again?
Martha's Vineyard ceramist Jennifer McCurdy. Formerly of Lakeland, McCurdy received a flurry of accolades (Mainsail, Tarpon Springs) in 1992 and 1993 with elegant bisque vessels. What is she doing now?
Jenna Weston, mixed media
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Judging the art for $60,500 in prizes are William Fagaly, chief curator, New Orleans Museum of Art and Jacquelyn Serwer, chief curator, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Winners will be announced at the festival at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Organizers are continuing several programs that have been successful in the past:
Emerging Artists Program (third year). For artists who have not previously exhibited in a public forum, the show waives entry fee and provides a tent and $250 expense allowance. One artist will receive a $1,000 prize.
Festival Art Bucks or FABs (fifth year). Purchased in advance, FABs are worth $1.10 for each dollar, $200 minimum, and are legal tender at all artists' booths. Unused FABs may be exchanged for purchase price at end of show. Call (813) 251-3688.
Community Arts Program (fourth year). A showcase for area high school performing arts groups features St. Petersburg High School Advanced Band Ensemble, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, and Brandon High School Aquilla 2001 Show Choir, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday on the Main Stage.
As always, food vendors will be located throughout the festival, and hands-on activities for children, sponsored by the Tampa Museum of Art, will be available.
The show goes on, rain or shine.
PREVIEW
2001 Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, on Ashley Drive and in Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. No pets, alcohol, skateboards, roller skates or bicycles. Call (813) 876-1747; Web site: http://www.gasparilla-arts.com
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ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS: Pocket Change, 1-3 p.m. Saturday; Orquestra Infinidad, 4-6 p.m. Saturday; Cosmic Persuasion, 10 a.m.-noon Sunday; Jennifer Ray Group, 1-3 p.m. Sunday
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