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Going 'Dark' With One Last Exhibit

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By SARAH HOYE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 18, 2008

Updated: 01/18/2008 12:12 am

TAMPA - It's lights out for good tonight at the Tampa Museum of Art, which faces the wrecking ball after 30 controversial years.

Fittingly, the museum's final event - "Art After Dark with Starbucks" - features an exhibit that examines the museum's history and takes an optimistic look at its future.

The one-night exhibit is the last before the museum is torn down and a $33 million replacement is built.

Tonight's event is organized by the museum's young members group, Avant Garde. The exhibit, "retro/perspectives: Looking back, Looking forward," features work from 50 regional artists.

"Being able to do this last event is incredible ... It took about six months, a lot of hard work and sweat equity and you can see it paid off," said Sarah Richter, president of Avant Garde. "If you're a part of this community on any level this is a chance to be part of history."

The museum doors officially closed to the public in December. Demolition of the building could begin Feb. 1, with plans to break ground for the new 66,000-square-foot facility in May. The grand opening is anticipated for fall 2009.

The current venue has been rife with structural problems, including water leaks and lack of space, from the start.

Creating A Master Plan

Barbara Romano, a museum board member, was instrumental in merging the Tampa Bay Art Center and the Tampa Junior Museum in the mid-1970s. She said the Museum of Art, which opened in 1979, went up even though planners knew it was too small.

"We just were so excited that we were going to have the first real art museum in the city of Tampa," Romano said.

The existing structure "had no master plan" when built and as a result required multiple expansions, said Ken Rollins, the museum's interim executive director.

"It was outdated and had no historical significance," Rollins said. "The new building is a world-class design that will not only enhance how we present the exhibits, but the architecture will enhance downtown."

The purpose of Avant Garde is to raise money and community awareness for the museum and its exhibits. The group provides the art museum with about $10,000 annually. It also encourages emerging local artists and plans events to draw attention to their work.

Lynda Bostrom and Anthony Zollo, students from the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, said they were honored to be recruited for the exhibit. "When we were ripping up the carpet we were giggling to each other. We're showing in the museum," said Bostrom, a native of Sarasota. "It hasn't hit me yet that we're doing this."

'In The Real World'

Their installation and senior theses, "Build and Destroy," is constructed from materials taken directly from the building, such as plaster and carpeting, and represents the transition to the new building.

"I'm really proud of the fact that I'm showing with the artists I admire, and to be alongside them is amazing," said Zollo, a graduate of Blake High School. "It's so motivating and gives a chance to see what things are like in the real world."

Tonight's exhibit boasts 10 site-specific installations. Live entertainment includes Tampa reggae/afro-beat band D'Visiors and deejays Mega and Blenda. A video "Toast" presents parting words from community leaders and friends of the museum.

"This is by no means an inclusive list of artists; there are so many more in the area," said Brad Lunz, curator and Avant Garde member, who wanted an exhibit that showcased established artists within the museum's permanent collection as well as popular area artists. "What I'm looking forward to is a building not scabbed on but a permanent solution ... The museum is the artist's nest."

EVENT PREVIEW

retro/perspectives: Looking back, Looking forward

WHAT: Final event at the current art museum features 50 artists, entertainment and food

WHEN: 8 p.m. to midnight tonight

WHERE: Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Drive; (813) 274-8130

HOW MUCH: Free for museum members; $10 for nonmembers

INFORMATION: tampa-avantgarde.org

View a time-lapse video of an exhibit by Anthony Zollo and Lynda Bostrom.

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832 or shoye@tampatrib.com. Keyword: Artists, to browse or search a directory of area artists, view samples of their work and add your own information to the list.

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