PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2008
RIOT @ THE FACTORY
USF BFA Exhibition
Tampa, Fl
Reception: April 11, 2008 7-11pm Show ends April 25, 208
Opens at:
The West Tampa Center for the Arts
in the historic former Santaella Cigar Factory
1906 N. Armenia Ave.
Tampa Fl, 33607
Phone – 813.453.4381
wtca.art@gmail.com
RIOT @ THE FACTORY is a fitting title for the unbridled outbreak of artistic talent that will be featured at the WTCA.
The WTCA is proud to announce the opening of the USF BFA Exhibition, a show which will feature cutting edge works from over a dozen graduating artists. These works exemplify exciting new directions in contemporary art, and utilize a diverse scope of media such as painting, electronic media, installation, ceramic, sculpture, and printmaking. The exhibition opens April 7th and runs through April 25th, with a reception being held on April 11th. Starting at 7PM, the reception will provide the public with an opportunity to interact with the artists and enjoy the food, refreshments, and live music.
The band is Reggae/Funk/Soul/Ska…and the dj will be Downtempo/Deep House
The show features recent works by Katrina Bennett, Rachel Bishop, Jennifer Costello, Jesse Crozier, Desiree’ D’Alessandro, Ryan DeFreitas, Erica Ellis, Matthew Friese, Gail Gosselin, Marlow Gum, Benjamin Hooper, Daniel Mantilla, Marissa Nazario, Ronald Pehmoeller, Yimarie Rivera, and Ryan Zook. The fabulous studios
of the WTCA Resident Artists will be open to the public.
With the WTCA graciously hosting this event, a suggested donation box will be placed to assist them in their mission of “restoring the multi-cultural community of West Tampa.” The WTCA is located at 1906 N. Armenia Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607. Hours run from 10am-5pm Mon. – Fri. and on Sat. by appointment only. Further details are available online at
http://www.myspace.com/riotatfactoryIf you’d like more information about this event, or to schedule an interview with the faculty member organizing this exhibit, please call Wendy Babcox at 813.892.0689 or e-mail her at
wbabcox@arts.usf.edu.
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Last week, when Speaker of the House, Marco Rubio, announced that whole departments might have to be eliminated to balance the budget, The Division of Cultural Affairs became an easy target for the House aides who are preparing the budget. By simply zeroing out funding for the Division this vital administrative unit will cease to exist, and our advocacy for Arts and Culture will be carried back to the dark ages in the name of short term and short sighted expediency.
During the economic downturn of the 2006-2007 fiscal year when other Departments were required to reduce their overall budget by 4%, the Division of Cultural Affairs took a 61% cut. But the Arts strengthen our economy. We know that for every dollar the State of Florida invests in the Arts we get a Seven Dollar return… we know that students who have four years of Art or Music education perform 60% better in verbal skills and 38% better in math skills on their SAT scores, and become better citizens for the State of Florida. We know that there are over 150,000 full time employees devoted to the Arts in the State of Florida .
Why should we forget all that, and pull the plug on the support group that makes it all possible?
Agreed, times are tough, but let us not sell out our cultural heritage, and take away the leadership so necessary to keep Florida attractive as the place to live, the place to visit, the place to invest in.
High Tech industries relocating to Florida are choosing communities where the Arts flourish because they know the creative thinking employees they recruit demand cultural facilities for themselves and their families.
Nowhere else can you find finer museums, symphonies, education in the arts and dedication to the finer things in life.
We need to make an outcry.
If you are in the news media please pursue this story. The budget is being drawn up as we speak.
If you are not in the media, but you know someone who is, please forward this email.
Thank you for taking time from your busy day to help avert this disaster and thank you for your advocacy.
Jim Shaw, chairman, Florida Arts Council
The Event is from 6 to 9 PM. Bidding for the Silent Auction will start at 6 PM and end at 8 PM. Musical entertainment, provided by DJs Chris Preston and Scott Imrich, will continue until 9 PM. Admission is free and refreshments will be available.
The participating art groups asked local Visual Artists to consign artwork with the proceeds from all sales being split between the Artist (Fifty) and the Art Group(s) of the Artist?s choice (Fifty). The minimum opening bid for all pieces is $100.00.
This fundraiser will give patrons the opportunity to add to their collections at an affordable price while benefiting both the Artists and Art Groups. This event will also give wider exposure to local Artists and allow the Theater Companies to promote their upcoming season.
Silver Meteor Gallery is located at 2213 E. 6th Ave., between 22nd and 23rd Streets, in Ybor City. For more information or directions, please call Michael A Murphy, Gallery Director, at 813-300-3585.
