On Juneteenth, Tampa’s trendiest cocktail lounge transforms into an art gallery, welcoming the public to experience Melissa Koby’s inspirational portraits at Arts Club. This Summer Art Exhibit, a collaboration between the Black Art Gala Foundation (The BAG) and the Tampa Edition hotel, brings together community, culture, and cocktails from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, June 19. 

No tickets needed—just come as you are and celebrate Juneteenth with art that honors the beauty, strength, and complexity of Black women and women of color. 

Artist Melissa Koby and her work; images via website

Meet The BAG

The BAG was founded in 2022 to celebrate and highlight the achievements of Black artists. Their past events have brought together visual artists, performers, and community leaders, raising money for local causes like Green Book of Tampa Bay and shining a spotlight on Black-owned businesses. Their mission is simple: to help Black artists get the recognition they deserve and create opportunities for them to share their stories. The organization also aims to make art accessible to everyone—and to help artists make a living from their work. 

Sips and sights to expect

Arts Club is already a hotspot for style and flavor: think craft cocktails (try the White Lotus), Asian-inspired shareable plates, and music in a sleek lounge setting. It’s the perfect backdrop for a night of art and conversation, centered around Melissa Koby’s thoughtful blends of digital illustration, watercolor painting, and paper collage. 

Koby’s pieces are layered with color, texture, and symbolism to capture moments of transformation and empowerment. Rooted in her Jamaican heritage and shaped by her experiences as a woman of color, her work feels both deeply personal and widely relatable. 

“The people in my artwork are faceless because I want everyone to be able to see themself in each piece,” she says. “I want to normalize looking past the color of the skin.” 

Artwork by Melissa Koby; images via website

Celebrate Juneteenth

Juneteenth is about freedom, resilience, and joy. The BAG’s Summer Art Exhibit channels all three, offering a space to honor Black creativity and connect with the cultural scene in Tampa. Come for the art, stay for the atmosphere, and leave with a little more inspiration.

See The BAG’s website for more event details and follow them on Instagram to see what’s coming next.