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"Gathering" Unites Talents for Greater Brandon Arts Council Benefit

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By CHERYL KUCK | The Brandon News & Tribune

Published: April 17, 2007

Dancers, musicians and visual artists enthralled the large and supportive audience at the first-ever "Gathering" of the arts at the Winthrop Theater. The well-attended inaugural event is the first of many slated to acquaint the public the tremendous array of hometown talent and increase community arts council membership.

Attendees were in a party mood as they celebrated various aspects of the arts, showing Brandon residents what a thriving community we have in our midst. Various performances highlighted the evening, starting with the rich vocals of pianist and composer Michelle Downs, who set the light-hearted tone of the evening. Blake students Sara Sullivan and Amanda Lunday's interpretive dancing enthralled the crowd of onlookers. Hands clapped to the tap dancing of the Bay Area Dance Company's "Rhythm in Motion" group.

Later, the visual arts auction began to the lyrical waltzes played by flutist Jenny James and guitarist Ron Gilbert. Cellist Carlos Audi joined musicians James and Gilbert to form an enthralling chamber music trio. The evening was so successful that they plan to continue these evenings of sharing the area's talent with the community.

"We need an active membership," said council president Kim Hall. "The more support we receive the more frequently we can hold these events."

But Hall wasn't finished.

"I am hopeful as well as extremely delighted this first Gathering has far exceeded all expectations," she said. "Brandon needs a cultural center. We are in desperate need of a building where our growing number of artists of all disciplines can practice, learn and exhibit!"

AROUND THE ARTS IN OUR TOWN

Greater Brandon Arts Council membership opportunities for anyone who would like to become involved with creating a unified arts community in the Greater Brandon Area are available for a donation of $25. This donation will help provide upcoming programs and support future needs. Membership inquiries may be directed to Trudi McKenna through trudimckenna@brandonarts.org.

The Adult Student Art Show at Center Place features the work of adult art students taking classes at Center Place. The show also is a showcase for the talented and learned instructors whose success is exhibited through the expertise the students have accumulated under their professional tutelage. There is a placard next to each painting that tells the name of the student, the media involved and the name of the painting along with the name of their instructor. The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 685-8888.

Tampa Realistic Artists new show "Life in a Garden" featuring paintings and photos of flowers, gardens or horticultural subjects runs through April 20. The Old Hyde Park Art Center's gallery, 705 Swann Ave., is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Phone 215-3780.

On April 21, the University of Tampa at it's North Boulevard campus is hosting an "Entrepreneurship & the Arts" conference. The full day of artist-led sessions and workshops are open to artists in the literary, performing and visual arts as a guide to the marketing, legal, and financial skills necessary to turning their passion into profit. There will be networking opportunities with successful artists of various disciplines. Registration includes all sessions/workshops, lunch, a reception, and a weeklong pass to the Plant Museum and a ticket to "The Fantasticks" musical. Sessions begin Saturday April 21 from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. For information contact Jennifer Brucher at jbrucker@ut.edu or call 253-6221.

The Tampa Museum of Art holds "Art Spot" Saturday programs admission free. This Target-sponsored exciting new art program runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Children can explore their own creativity by visiting the galleries and creating an art project in the museum's classroom. Dates are April 21 and 28, May 5 and 12.
Phone: 274-8130

The Music Showcase Junior Players, ages 8 to 13, will be performing High School Musical April 27 through 29 at the Central Baptist Church. Admission is $8 and tickets can be purchased at Music Showcase on Oakfield Drive beginning this week. Show times are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Call the Showcase Education Center at 685-5998.

Valrico artist and University of Tampa Professor of Computer Graphics, Introduction to 3D Animation, and Beginning Painting, Doug Sutherland's work appears in two new shows across the state. The C. Emerson Fine Arts Gallery, 909 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg, presents the "University of Tampa Connection." This is a group exhibition of mixed media, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and video installations by members of the faculty and staff of the University of Tampa. This exhibit runs through April 28 and is guaranteed to be invigorating cutting-edge.

Sutherland scores again in a show of "Florida Art Professors" at the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center and Visual Arts Gallery, West International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona. Phone: (386) 481- 2774.

Cheryl Kuck writes about the arts.

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