Author: Susana Weymouth

Tampa, Fla. (April 15, 2016) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) announces $15,000 in awards to six Tampa Bay area high school students to receive The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars fine and performing arts scholarships. Each scholarship winner will be awarded $2,500, one in each of six fine and performing arts categories: theatre, literary arts, dance, instrumental music, vocal music and visual arts.

Since 2007, TBBCA has awarded financial assistance for higher education in the arts to more than 50 Tampa Bay area students, some of the most promising and talented young artists and performers in the nation. This TBBCA program is named in honor of TBBCA Past President, the late Charlie Hounchell, who was the program’s founder and champion.

The 2016 winners of The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships are:
• Theatre – Courteney McClutchy, 12th grade, East Lake High School
• Literary Arts – Lyrik Courtney, 11th grade, Howard W. Blake High School
• Dance – Sabrina Downing, 12th grade, Howard W. Blake High School
• Instrumental Music – Jason Charos, 11th grade, Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School
• Vocal Music – Lillian Kraack, 12th grade, Newsome High School
• Visual Arts – Aidan Schaffert, 11th grade, Gibbs High School

This year, a deep talent pool of more than 100 students from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties submitted scholarship applications, judged on the basis of talent and merit by a distinguished panel of experts in their field.

The 2016 panel of judges are:
• Theatre – Eugenie Bondurant, singer, television and film actor, with featured role as Tigris in the “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2”
• Literary Arts – Lisa Unger, award-winning New York Times and internationally best-selling author
• Dance – Helen Hansen French, Juilliard graduate, a member of Karen Reedy Dance, Buglisi Dance Theatre, and St. Pete Dance Alliance, and on faculty at John Hopkins Middle School and St. Petersburg College
• Instrumental Music – Paul Wilborn, pianist, musician and bandleader, and executive director of The Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College
• Vocal Music – Dawne Eubanks, classical soloist and voice instructor at Eckerd College and Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School
• Visual Arts – Michael Murphy, gallery owner of Michael Murphy Gallery M.

Scholarship recipients will showcase their talent at The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at TBBCA pARTner The Museum of Fine Arts, located at 255 Beach Drive NE in St. Petersburg. The event is open to the public but advance registration is required, as space is limited. To register, please contact susanaweymouth@tbbca.org.

TBBCA is a 501 (c) (3). To donate online to The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships go to www.tbbca.org. Individual scholarship naming rights and sponsorships are available. Contact TBBCA at (813) 221-2787.

About TBBCA
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is a nonprofit organization serving Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties with the mission to unite Tampa Bay area businesses to champion arts education, arts and culture for a prosperous community. One of 11 national Business Committees for the Arts of the private sector network of Americans for the Arts, TBBCA provides connections, advocacy, funding and support for artists, arts education, and arts and cultural organizations. TBBCA programs are made possible through the generosity of TBBCA pARTners, including Chair’s Circle: Premier Eye Care; Stephen Gay/Gay & Associates Realtors; Linda and Michael Connelly; The Beaux Arts Group; MedHOK; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick; Tampa Bay Magazine; Tampa Bay Times/*tbt; Cox Media Group, The Wilson Company, Chappell Roberts, and Alex McKnight Archival Images.

Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts “pARTners” with Gasparilla Festival of the Arts to bring TBBCA Chalk Walk March 5 & 6 under the eaves Tampa Museum of Art

TAMPA, Fla. (February 24, 2016) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) is pARTnering for another exciting TBBCA Chalk Walk with the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. TBBCA is once again producing this popular event, bringing ten commissioned chalk artists to create live interactive art experiences in the heart of the annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts.

“We are proud to offer this TBBCA Chalk Walk in downtown Tampa with our valued pARTner Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts,” says Susana Weymouth, Executive Director of TBBCA. “It is a great opportunity to support talented artists while providing a free, fun, family-friendly and accessible program for our community and attracting the public to area museums and businesses.” Since its founding in 2008, TBBCA Chalk Walks have been entertaining audiences of all age groups and levels of art appreciation throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.

GFA President of the Board of Directors, Ashly Anderson, commented that GFA “Board of Directors and Committee are proud to present the 46th annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, featuring 250 artists from across the country once again in 2016. We’re all looking forward to enjoying it.” In the past, the festival has attracted tens of thousands of visitors from across the region.

TBBCA Chalk Walk will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 5th and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday March 6th, under the eaves of the Tampa Museum of Art alongside the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in Curtis Hixon Park. Meet the artists and watch their technical skill as they bring their amazing artistic creations to life throughout the weekend.

About TBBCA
TBBCA, a 501 (c ) (3) non-profit founded in 1989, is one of 11 national affiliates of Americans for the Arts. TBBCA’s mission is to unite area businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community because “the arts are good for business and business is good for the arts.” Through innovative pARTnerships and sustainable programs like Call to Artists, Cultural Encounters, Chalk Walks and The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships, TBBCA provides valuable funding support for artists, arts and cultural organizations, and art education, and builds awareness of arts and culture as important economic drivers in our community and essential contributors to our quality of life.

TBBCA programs are generously supported by donations and sponsorships, including Chair’s Circle pARTners: Premier Eye Care; MedHOK; The Wilson Company; Stephen Gay & Associates, Realtors; The Tampa Bay Times/tbt*; Tampa Bay Magazine; B2 Communications; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Alex McKnight; Linda and Michael Connelly; Cox Media Group; Chappell Roberts; Platinum pARTners: Greenberg Traurig; The Beaux-Arts Group; Katharine Weymouth, Phelps Dunbar; Barnett, Bolt, Longwood, Kirk and Koche; Gold pARTners: Hill, Ward, Henderson; The Lightning Foundation; The Gobioff Foundation, Vantage Point Advisors of Raymond James; Hyde Park Village; and Yann and Susana Weymouth. For more information, visit www.TBBCA.org or call 813-221-2787.

About GFA
The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation dedicated to producing an annual, premier juried outdoor art festival for the enjoyment and education of patrons, artists and guests as well as for the enhancement of the Tampa Bay area’s cultural arts. The non-profit organization relies on support from sponsorships, on-site retail sales and corporate and individual gifts to fund its programs and events. The Tampa based organization is staffed entirely by volunteers. Information for festival-goers is posted to the GFA’s newly relaunched website www.gasparillaarts.com or call (813) 876-1747.

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TAMPA, Fla. (January 26, 2016) All Tampa Bay area artists with a passion for music are invited to enter the 5th annual Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) Poster Contest. The contest is presented by Hill Ward Henderson in pARTnership with Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts and the Gasparilla Music Foundation. The submission receipt deadline is 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2016.

The 2016 festival will take place in downtown Tampa on March 12th & 13th and will feature musical acts from a wide variety of genres on several stages and cuisine from the region’s top restaurants. The poster design should be an artistic representation of GMF. Artists are encouraged to incorporate Tampa Bay’s wide diversity of culture into its design; however, artists are discouraged from using “Gasparilla” themes such as pirates or beads. Including the GMF name or logo in the artwork is not necessary.

Entries will be judged by the GMF Poster Committee. Submissions will be evaluated based on concept, originality, lay out and marketing adaptability.
The winning poster design will be announced at the GMF VIP Sound Check party the first week of March 2016 (date TBD) and will be recognized as the Official Commemorative Poster of the 2016 Gasparilla Music Festival.
The winning artist will receive:
• Two (2) VIP tickets, valid for both days of the festival ($300 value). ∙ Featured bio in the festival program. ∙
• Recognition on GMF social media sites.
• A print of your poster, which will be gifted to GMF sponsors and individual donors.
• Featured poster-signing session at the festival.
• Possibility of your artwork will be reproduced as an “official” festival T-shirt.

The winning artist will receive a $400 cash prize together with the GMF winning artist VIP ticket package. The cash prize will be awarded to the winning artist at GMF Sound Check kick-off event. By entering the contest, you agree that if yours is the winning submission, it becomes the sole property of GMF together with all licensing and reproduction rights. The winning artist also agrees to no further compensation. Only the winning artist gives GMF license for reproduction for promotion and sales. Non-winning submissions remain the property of the artist and should be picked up by prior arrangement with TBBCA after the winner is announced.”

GUIDELINES FOR ENTRY
• The GMF poster contest is open to all artists residing in the Tampa Bay region.
• Limit to one entry per artist. Entries must be an original art piece (any medium) that is production-ready, vertical poster format and framed or matted.
• Canvas size must scale to 24”x36”.
• On the back of each entry, please include the artist’s name, address, phone number and email address.
• All artists interested in participating are encouraged to pre-register intent to submit; pre-register prior to
by sending an email to susanaweymouth@tbbca.org

To submit, artwork must be delivered by pre-arrangement only to Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts, 633 North Franklin Street, Suite 735, Tampa, FL on or before the submission deadline at 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2016. Please contact susanaweymouth@tbbca.org to coordinate your delivery.

RELEASE OF RIGHTS OF THE WINNING ART PIECE AND ARTIST – POSTER ART:
“Poster Art” is the completed version of the winning concept image submitted by the selected artist to be used by the Gasparilla Music Festival. The concept image must be adaptable, in whole or in part, for the use in other media, including but without limitation, posters, advertisements, t-shirts, magnets, brochures and rack cards. The Poster Art becomes the property of the Gasparilla Music Festival.
Entrants agree to release the Gasparilla Music Festival and partners Hill Ward Henderson and Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts, from any and all liability resulting from submitting poster art. The Selected artist agrees to release the Gasparilla Music Festival and TBBCA and all its officers, directors, volunteers, and agents from all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses to persons and property which may be sustained in connection with the receipt, ownership or use of the artwork entered. Entry artwork submitted constitutes consent to use the Selected artist’s name, likeness, and art submission for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes, without compensation

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Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts adds five business leaders to its Board of Directors
New Directors bring strong business expertise and passion for arts and culture to the Board

TAMPA, Fla. (January 20, 2016) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) is pleased to announce the election of five new Board Directors. The new Directors, Jamie Moore Marcario, Aaron Miller, Diane Bailey Morton, Jeffrey Nowak and Robert Simmons, each bring unique experience and expertise for TBBCA, a non-profit organization that for over 26 years has united Tampa Bay area businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community.

“Jamie, Diane, Aaron, Jeff and Robert are outstanding business leaders who will add to TBBCA board’s breadth of talent,” said Premier Eye Care CEO Lorna Taylor, who leads the Board as President and Chair. “We are delighted to have attracted and elected to the important responsibility of non-profit board director creative individuals with such diverse backgrounds and wealth of professional experiences.”

“I welcome the addition of these five outstanding new board members,” said Susana Weymouth, TBBCA Executive Director. “They bring a passion to help increase TBBCA’s impact in support of arts education, arts and culture. I look forward to their ideas and advice and to working closely with them.”

Jamie Moore Marcario is an associate with Greenberg Traurig, where she focuses her practice on labor and employment law. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Florida, and her juris doctor from Stetson University. Marcario is also a visual and performing artist, and passionate arts supporter. She often performs with The Impromptu Players, a theatre group made up of business professionals in the Tampa Bay area, at Stageworks Theatre.

Aaron Miller is the general sales manager for Cox Media Group stations WHPT-FM and WXGL-FM. A North Carolina native, Miller began his career with The Daily Advance and The Progress Index newspapers, before moving to radio in 1994. He held progressively higher positions with Clear Channel radio stations in Richmond, Virginia, and Orlando and then joined Cox Media Group Tampa in 2010. As CMG General Sales Manager, Miller oversees numerous radio channels. Miller is also a visual artist whose works with acrylics on canvas, plaster moldings and metals have been featured in several Tampa Bay area art shows.

Diane Bailey Morton has enjoyed a successful 30-year career as an attorney in both the U.S. and England. She currently is the Chief Human Capital officer and General Counsel for C1 Bank. She served as Senior Labor Counsel at McAllister Olivarius in London, where she oversaw the American team of labor litigation. Previously, Bailey Morton managed her own law firm, served as the General Counsel to the Tampa Firefighters and Southwest Florida Police Benevolent Association, was an Assistant State Attorney, Chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, and taught law at Stetson College. A dedicated supporter of arts and culture in our community, Diane Bailey Morton is on the Board of Directors for the St. Petersburg Opera Company. She was a Director on the Board of American Stage for over 20 years. She has supported and helped produce numerous plays at American Stage, Stageworks, and freeFall theaters, among others. Bailey Morton has also served as Volunteer General Counsel for Great Explorations, the Children’s Museum and member of the International Relations Commission for the City of St Petersburg.

Jeffrey Nowak is the vice president of customer success and innovation and senior member of the Executive Management Committee at MedHOK, Inc., an industry leading provider of SaaS software and one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. Nowak has over 20 years’ leadership experience with process improvement, market expansion, technology adoption predictive modeling, and financial and risk management at major Healthcare companies, including Wellcare and CIGNA. Prior to joining MedHOK, Inc., Nowak was Reed Elsevier’s Sr. Director of Operations. A native of the Tampa Bay area, Nowak graduated University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, where he studied under many renowned artists, including Theo Wujcik, Jeffrey Kronsnoble, Mernet Larsen and Robert Gelinas. Nowak earned his MBA cum laude from the University of Tampa. Nowak often credits his creativity and passion for the Arts as a major driver of his success in the business world by helping him identify new and innovative ways to look at and solve complex challenges.

Robert Simmons is the Regional Counsel, Allstate Insurance Co., Florida Region and Castle Key Insurance Companies. He began his career with Allstate in 1996 as General Counsel and Assistant Counsel at Allstate Motor Club (“AMC”), then served as Allstate New Jersey’s Insurance Company Regional Counsel, prior to transferring in 2009 to his current position. Before joining Allstate, Robert served as Deputy Chief of the Consumer Protection Division in the Illinois Attorney General’s office and was Staff Counsel at the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, Chicago, IL. Robert is a current Board Director of AMI Kids, Saint Petersburg. He serves on the Board of Personal Insurance Federation of Florida, is a Member of Civil Justice Reform Group and American Corporate Counsel. Robert holds a B.S. Northeastern University in Boston, MA, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, University of Illinois and a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. Robert is an avid supporter of the arts and himself a visual artist.

About TBBCA
TBBCA is a non-profit organization founded in 1989, and one of 11 national “Business Committees for the Arts,” part of the Private Sector Network of Americans for the Arts. TBBCA’s mission is to unite area businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community with the philosophy that “the arts are good for business and business is good for the arts.” Through innovative pARTnerships and sustainable programs including, The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships, Chalk Walk, Call to Artists, Cultural Encounters, Arts in Lobbies, and others, TBBCA provides advocacy, valuable funding resources and support for arts education, artists, and arts and cultural organizations, and builds awareness of arts and culture as important economic drivers in our community and essential contributors to our quality of life.

TBBCA programs are generously supported by donations and sponsorships, including Chair’s Circle pARTners: Premier Eye Care; MedHOK; Stephen Gay & Associates, Realtors; Linda and Michael Connelly; The Wilson Company; The Tampa Bay Times/tbt*; Tampa Bay Magazine; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; B2 Communications and Alex McKnight Archival Images. Platinum pARTners: Greenberg Traurig; The DeBartolo Family Foundation; The Beaux-Arts Group; Barnett, Bolt, Kirkwood, Long and Koche; Phelps Dunbar; Katharine Weymouth; Yann and Susana Weymouth; Chappell Roberts; Cox Media Group; Gold pARTners: Hill, Ward, Henderson; The Lightning Foundation; Hyde Park Village/WS Development/Susan Martin; Helen Pruitt Wallace and Peter Rudy Wallace; Willis of Florida, and other pARTners and donors.

For more information on TBBCA contact 813-221-2787 or www.tbbca.org.

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Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts Announces
The 2016 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships Program
Call for Applicants now open, deadline to apply is Feb. 29

TAMPA, Fla. (January 15, 2016) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) is pleased to announce the Call for Applicants is now open for its 2016 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships Program. See www.tbbca.org for application.

The TBBCA Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships program is a unique funding resource for higher education.
Each year, TBBCA awards $15,000 in The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships to Tampa Bay area students based on merit and artistic ability. The scholarship is awarded in the fields of instrumental music, vocal music, theatre, dance, visual arts and literary arts, and it can be used for tuition at the college, university or professional arts training program of the student’s choice.

This TBBCA program to support arts education and young artists is named in honor of TBBCA Past President, the late Charlie Hounchell, who was the program’s founder and champion. Since 2007, TBBCA has provided financial assistance for higher education tuition to Tampa Bay area students who are some of the most promising and talented young artists and performers in the nation.

All qualified eligible current high school juniors and seniors from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties are encouraged to apply. The 2016 Application and Guidelines are available for download at www.tbbca.org. Interested parties can also contact TBBCA Executive Director Susana Weymouth at susanaweymouth@tbbca.org to request an email copy. There is no application fee.

The completed application packet must be mailed to the TBBCA office by the deadline of Monday, February 29, 2016. TBBCA will announce the 2016 winners in early April.

The 2015 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships were awarded to:
• Theatre – David Friedman who graduated from Howard W. Blake High School in May 2015
• Literary Arts – Amy Malakoff who is currently a senior at Howard W. Blake High School
• Dance – Alexandra Desruisseaux who graduated from Wiregrass Ranch High School in May 2015
• Instrumental Music – Mark Trotter who graduated from Keswick Christian School in May 2015
• Vocal Music – Ginny Swanson who is currently a senior at Shorecrest Preparatory School
• Visual Arts – Indigo Naar who is currently a senior at Gibbs High School

The 2015 scholarship recipients showcased their talents at The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships Awards Ceremony at TBBCA pARTner The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.

About TBBCA
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989, and one of 11 national Business Committees of the pARTnership Movement of Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. TBBCA serves Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, with the mission to unite Tampa Bay area businesses to champion arts education, arts and culture for a prosperous community. TBBCA’s numerous programs support and promote arts and culture throughout the greater Tampa Bay area and provide advocacy, funding for artists, scholarship funds, and access to cultural programming.

TBBCA programs, including The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships, are made possible through the generosity of pARTners, including Chair’s Circle: Premier Eye Care; Stephen Gay, Gay & Associates Realtors; MedHOK; Linda and Michael Connelly; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP; The Wilson Company; B2 Communications; Tampa Bay Times; Tampa Bay Magazine; Cox Media Group; ChappellRoberts; Alex McKnight, and others. To join TBBCA pARTnership Movement or to donate online to The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships go to www.tbbca.org. Individual CHASS scholarship naming rights and sponsorships are available. Please contact TBBCA Executive Director Susana Weymouth at 813-221-2787.

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Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts sponsors TBBCA Chalk Walk with the Suncoast Arts Fest Jan.16-17, 2016 at The Shops at Wiregrass- Wesley Chapel

Tampa, Fla. – (Jan. 13, 2016) Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) is proud to sponsor TBBCA Chalk Walk as part of the 2016 Suncoast Arts Fest, Saturday, January 16 from 10-6, and Sunday, January 17th from 11-6 at the entrance to Dillard’s at The Shops at Wiregrass 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

TBBCA funds artists’ stipends and produces/sponsors TBBCA Chalk Walks – a celebration of public art held annually since 2008 in multiple venues throughout Tampa Bay. TBBCA Chalk Walks are free, fun, family-friendly, open-air, interactive, live art experiences, enjoyed by people of all ages and levels of art appreciation. Watch talented commissioned artists sponsored by Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts bring amazing chalk drawings to life! The Annual Suncoast Arts Fest features 125+ Fine Artists and Craftsmen. Free and open to the public. Free parking.

About TBBCA
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989, one of 11 national Business Committees of Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. TBBCA serves Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, with the mission to unite Tampa Bay area businesses to champion arts education, arts and culture for a prosperous community. TBBCA programs support and promote arts and culture throughout the greater Tampa Bay area and provide advocacy, funding for artists, scholarship funds, and access to cultural programming. Info: www.tbbca.org

TBBCA programs are made possible through the generosity of pARTners, including Chair’s Circle: Premier Eye Care; Stephen Gay, Gay & Associates Realtors; MedHOK; Linda and Michael Connelly; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP; The Wilson Company; B2 Communications; Tampa Bay Times; Tampa Bay Magazine; Cox Media Group; ChappellRoberts; Alex McKnight; Platinum pARTners Hyde Park Village; DeBartolo Family Foundation; Greenberg Traurig; Phelps Dunbar; Katharine Weymouth; Yann and Susana Weymouth; Gold pARTners The Beaux Arts Group; Barnett, Bolt, Kirkwood, Long & Koche; The Lightning Foundation; The Gobioff Foundation; Hill, Ward, Henderson; Willis of Florida, and others. To join TBBCA pARTnership Movement or for more information on TBBCA programs and events go to www.tbbca.org or contact TBBCA Executive Director, susanaweymouth@tbbca.org

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Tampa, Fla. – (Mar 24, 2015) Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA) is pleased to announce its 2015 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarship Program Distinguished Panel of Judges. For each category to which High School Juniors and Seniors from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties have applied, the judges who bring their unique expertise are: Eugenie Bondurant, Theatre; Richard Sparrow, Instrumental Music; Dawne Eubanks, Vocal Music; Brian Fidalgo, Dance; Michael Murphy, Visual Arts; and Lisa Unger, Literary Arts.

TBBCA is excited to welcome back the award winning Ms. LISA UNGER to judge the competitive submissions for the Literary Arts scholarship. New York Times and international bestselling author LISA UNGER‘s accolades include selections as a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Book, an International Thriller Writers finalist for Best Novel, a Florida Book Award winner, a Prix Polar International Award finalist, and a Target “Emerging Author.” Her writing has been hailed as “stellar” (USA Today), “arresting and meaningful” (Washington Post) with “gripping narrative and evocative, muscular prose” (Associated Press.) Her novels have been named top picks by the Today show, Good Morning America, Walmart Book Club, Harper’s Bazaar, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Washington Life, Publishers Weekly, New York Daily News, Bookspan’s International Book of the Month, Indie Next and Amazon (Top Ten Thriller of the Year.) More than 2 million copies of her books have been sold in 26 languages. She currently lives in Florida.

TBBCA is proud to support young artists with The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships. Six students will be awarded $2,500 to be used for tuition at the college, university or professional arts training program of their choice. The 2015 winners will be announced in early April. Since 2007, TBBCA has awarded $107,500 to over 40 Bay area students to continue their education and pursue careers in the arts.

TBBCA Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarship Program is sponsored by individual and corporate donations. Major contributors include Premier Eye Care; Stephen Gay; Linda & Michael Connelly; Anil Kottoor/MedHOK; Greenberg Traurig; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick; Katharine Weymouth; Tampa Bay Magazine, the Tampa Bay Times and Cox Media Group.

For scholarship donations and sponsorship opportunities please contact TBBCA Executive Director: susanaweymouth@tbbca.org.

About TBBCA:

Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is a non-profit organization with the mission to unite Tampa Bay businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community. TBBCA’s innovative partnerships link area businesses in support of culture and the arts and arts education.

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Tampa, Fla. – (March 3, 2015) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) announced today that seven new Directors have been named to serve on the organization’s Board.

Sharon Carlstedt Britton is an attorney with Phelps Dunbar, Tampa Office. She has practiced in the area of commercial litigation since 1992. She is a member of the Florida Bar and the American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, and has been admitted to the Bar in New York, and to the U.S. District Courts of Eastern District of New York, Middle District of Florida, Southern District of New York, and Northern and Southern Districts of Florida. Sharon is also a Resident Artist, Oleson Gallery and Bloom Art Center.

Cindy Cockburn is President of C.C. Communications, a Public Relations and Special Events consulting firm based in St. Petersburg. Cindy has over 20 years of experience working with national and international media, both as a reporter and public relations professional. She is also a spokesperson, published author, columnist, freelance writer and speaker representative/booking agent.

Enrique Crespo is Principal of Casa Nova Design Group, providing a full range of Interior Design services to an extensive portfolio of national and international clients. He was recently awarded the Aurora Design Award for excellence in Interior Design.

William F. Everett Jr., AIA, is Founder and Principal of The Beaux-Arts Group, an architecturally integrated design, workspace and furnishing solutions firm, and contract furniture dealership that represents Knoll as exclusive dealer throughout West, Southwest and Central Florida, as well as 150 other manufacturers. The Beaux-Arts Group was awarded the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award from the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

Shawna E. Gambill is Vice President of Employee Benefits at Brown & Brown, a 6^th largest national insurance broker, that offers all lines of insurance, including Employee Benefits, Property Casualty, Personal Lines, Surety and Specialty Lines. She is considered a Platinum/Preferred Producer with all of the major carriers.

Angela F. North, CPA, is President, Angela North & Co., Certified Public Accountants and Tax Consultants serving the Tampa Bay area for over 25 years.

Curtis Stokes is the Vice President and Community Affairs Manager at Fifth Third Bank (Tampa Bay).  Curtis is an appointee of Governor Charlie Crist to the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the “Top 40 Under 40” by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

“I am pleased that we have invited these seven new Directors to join the Board. I know them as remarkable individuals and respected business leaders,” noted TBBCA Board of Directors President and Chair, Lorna Taylor. “They each bring unique expertise, perspectives and resources that will enhance our Board’s strategic guidance and strengthen our support of TBBCA.”

“This is an exciting time for us to welcome new Board members,” said Susana Weymouth, TBBCA Executive Director. “TBBCA programs and initiatives will benefit from this increased commitment to expand our linkages of area businesses in support of culture and the arts, and arts education.”

About TBBCA:

Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is a non-profit organization with the mission to unite Tampa Bay businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community. TBBCA provides funding resources to programs including the Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships. Since 2007, TBBCA has awarded these scholarships to over 40 talented Tampa Bay area students to pursue higher education and future careers in the arts.

www.tbbca.org

(813) 221-2787

Press Contact:

Cindy Cockburn

C.C. Communications

727 432 5862

cccomm@tampabay.rr.com