TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Local Artists Fill A Cultural Void

Tribune photo by ANDY JONES

"Poui Calling for Rain" forground left by artist Karin Dawn Best is one of many pieces of art on display in The Gallery at 14125 7th Street in Dade City. Mariellen Blackstone background right stopped in after work to browse through the gallery Monday. The Gallery displays work of artists who are members of a cooperative there.

ADVERTISEMENT

By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: November 19, 2008

DADE CITY - The Gallery, which opened Friday in downtown Dade City, has done more than fill an empty storefront for the holiday season.

It is filling a cultural void as well, giving local artists a reason to organize and inspiring them to do what they do best - create more art.

"Several of the artists have told me the gallery has inspired them to go home and paint like crazy," organizer Suzanne Lasher said.

The Gallery came about when building owners David and Camille Hernandez approached Lasher, a neighbor and professional artist, about opening an art gallery for the holiday season. They agreed the former After Thoughts store on Seventh Street was an ideal space.

But the landlords wanted to open in six weeks. Lasher knew she couldn't do it alone, so she started making phone calls.

"In Europe, it's really common for artists to form a collective to show our work," Lasher said. "There were several people in town who were skeptical. They thought I wouldn't be able to get six artists, so to be able to say I have 25 who all live within 15 miles of Dade City was amazing."

For the first time, local artists were working toward a common goal.

Sandra Lallemand has been painting for 28 years and won awards in Tampa. Before Friday's opening, she had never exhibited her work in a gallery in her hometown.

"It's really nice to have a place to show art," she said. "I feel lucky they called me to participate."

The collection includes a variety of paintings, sculpture, metalwork, ceramics and folk art. Some artists have never exhibited before. Others have published books and sold their work internationally.

"It's an incredible opportunity for amateurs to be able to exhibit with nationally known artists," Lasher said.

Painter Suzanne Desneux said Dade City and Zephyrhills have an abundance of talented artists but few collectors.

"People will pay thousands of dollars for a couch, and they don't think twice about it," she said. "A couch will last, maybe eight years. A painting is something you can enjoy the rest of your life."

Mary Curran Bitner, the only Tampa artist in the show, said she was impressed with the turnout. "It was a great opening," Bitner said. "There was just a steady flow of people all night."

Bitner, one of the original members of the North Tampa Arts League, sold a pastel painting of water lilies. She knows firsthand how an active arts collective can change people's lives.

Before starting the arts league in New Tampa, Bitner had never exhibited her work. Now she participates in dozens of shows every year and works part time as a curator for Carrollwood Cultural Center.

Lasher said she hopes the Dade City Arts Collective has a life beyond this six-week show. "We'll definitely be looking for more places to exhibit after this."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Gallery

WHERE: 14125 Seventh St., Dade City

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday

CONTACT: (352) 523-5052

Keyword: Dade Gallery to see more photos Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 865-4844. Keyword: Dade Gallery to see more photos

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT