It’s February, so love and passion are on my mind, but not in the romantic sense. Instead, I’m highlighting the connections found in Tampa Bay’s local art scene.
Back in 2023, artist Chad Mize had a show during Pride month at an industrial location he was curating at the St. Petersburg Distillery, which he called SPACE. On display was a sculpture by an artist known by the single moniker Wasíl. It was a 7-by-4-foot heart with a head on it and rainbow bands, and it caught the eye of Delia Davidson, owner of Forever Florida Real Estate. According to Wasíl, Davidson bought the piece and installed it in her new office on Central Avenue.
That serendipitous moment led Wasíl to have the first one-person show there, and then to start curating regular shows at Forever Florida. Since October 2023, Wasíl has given solo shows to an impressive roster of local artists, including Luke Vest, Andrea Pawlisz, Daniel Barojas, Rhys Meatyard, Matthew Boyle and Luci Westphal. Each exhibition has a closing reception with an artist Q&A and poetry readings. The shows give artists great exposure to clientele they may not have reached otherwise.
“I’m an arbiter of this space for the creative community,” Wasíl said, “and these very significant artists and literalists are on board. I’m amazed that there’s such a spirit of wanting to be there and expansion and community and growth and progressive art.”
February’s show features David Kafer, an artist, writer and hairdresser who owns Pageboy, a salon-gallery-vintage market hybrid in St. Petersburg. The prolific artist makes vibrant pieces that just make you smile. His show, “Divine Reflection,” is available for the public to view during Winter Pride on Feb. 15 from noon to 5 p.m. as well as during a closing reception on Feb. 22 from 3-7 p.m. at 2629 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
One more connection: Wasíl’s heart sculptures are on display now in his show, “A Heart for Every Moment,” until March 1 at The Werk Gallery, just a few blocks away at 2210 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg.
One of my most beloved art traditions is the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, returning to Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in downtown Tampa Feb. 28-March 1. Now in its 56th year, the festival features more than 250 artists from the national festival circuit who were selected by a jury and whose work will be rated and awarded cash prizes by an esteemed judge. It also has an Emerging Artists Program that has seen past participants go on to win the festival’s top prize, and a Local Artists Spotlight Program.
Artistic kids also have representation, with the Art Collectors in Training tent, featuring art at kid-friendly prices; showcases of youth art and young musicians; and children’s activities from the Tampa Museum of Art. Adults can get in on the fun, too, by checking out Carmada, a fleet of cars being live-painted by artists; hands-on activities at the NOMAD Art Bus (for all ages); and live entertainment from local and national bands all weekend long. There’s much more to experience, so don’t miss out. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 1. 1001 N. Blvd., Tampa. 813-876-1747. gasparillaarts.com.