Category: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Susana Weymouth
813-221-2787
susanaweymouth@tbbca.org

Adjudicators will select talented students in six fine and performing arts disciplines to receive scholarships
TAMPA, Fla. (March 27, 2018) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA) is pleased to announce the Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships Program 2018 distinguished judges: Eugenie Bondurant, Theatre; Dawne Eubanks, Vocal Music; Helen Hansen French, Dance; Joanna Robotham, Visual Arts; Lisa Unger, Literary Arts; and Paul Wilborn, Instrumental Music.

“The judges play a key role in our scholarships program,” remarked TBBCA Board Director and scholarships program chair, Stephen Gay, Gay & Associates of Smith & Associates, Realtors. “They are renowned in their fields, and bring a high level of professionalism and expertise to their volunteer service.”

“We appreciate the serious thought and countless hours the judges dedicate to the process of selecting the winners from a highly competitive applicant pool of some of the most talented high school juniors and seniors in the Tampa Bay area,” said Susana Weymouth, TBBCA’s executive director. “The 2018 scholarship winners will be announced in April,” she added. “The awards ceremony and talent showcase, generously hosted by TBBCA Chair’s Circle pARTner The Wilson Co. under the patronage of Mrs. Carolyn Wilson, will be held the evening of Thursday, May 17h at The Vault on North Franklin Street in downtown Tampa.”

About the Judges

Visual Arts Judge Joanna Robotham joined the staff of the Tampa Museum of Art as the Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art in 2016. Robotham recently organized Mernet Larsen: Getting Measured, 1957-2017, a retrospective of Mernet Larsen’s paintings. She has curated, among others, the Tampa Museum of Art’s presentation of Susanne Bartsch: Art-a-Porter, Alex Katz: Black and White, and was part of the curatorial team for Skyway: A Contemporary Collaboration. Robotham previously held the Neubauer Family Foundation Assistant Curator position at the Jewish Museum in New York City where she worked for over 10 years. At the Jewish Museum, she was the curator of Becoming Jewish: Warhol’s Liz and Marilyn (2015) and organized the exhibition Masterpieces & Curiosities: Nicole Eisenman’s Seder (2015). She received her M.A. in Curatorial Studies from the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College and earned a B.A. in Art History and Political Science from the University of Washington.

Literary Arts Judge Lisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling, award-winning author of sixteen novels, including the upcoming psychological thriller UNDER MY SKIN (Oct 2, 2018) and IN THE BLOOD — now being developed as a TV series for ITV by director Gary Fleder (Kiss the Girls, Runaway Jury.) Her books are published in twenty-six languages worldwide, have sold millions of copies and have been named “Best of the Year” or top picks by the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, Amazon, Indie Booksellers, Goodreads and Sun Sentinel to name a few. Her essays have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR and Travel+Leisure Magazine. Unique, inventive, and often experimental, Unger’s writing is impossible to categorize. She combines her extensive knowledge of the human psyche with an understanding of trauma and fear to create novels that have earned her a reputation as one of the most skilled practitioners of the psychological thriller around today. Throughout her career, Unger has deftly walked the fine line between literary novels and commercial thrillers all the while hitting The New York Times bestseller lists and earning both critical acclaim and millions of fans worldwide. Lisa Unger lives in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with her husband, daughter and labradoodle.

Theatre Judge Eugenie Bondurant’s long and interesting career has taken her from the runways of Paris to seeing herself on the upside of landing interesting character roles. Coming in at 6’1” the willowy with case-study cheekbones Bondurant started her career as a runway model, promoted by her agents as androgynous, which then followed into her acting career. Most notably, when The Hunger Games’ director, Francis Lawrence, went looking for an actor to play Tigris, a pivotal character enhanced to be both female and feline, a nationwide search led them to Bondurant. Along with her other credits, Bondurant’s short film Tiny Bacteria was shown at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival; this year, she will be appearing alongside Pollyanna McIntosh in Darlin’ among other recent film and TV credits viewed on her IMDB page.
Eugenie Bondurant, a 20 year SAG/AFTRA actress and acting coach, was the first teacher hired at the Patel Conservatory in 2004. She brought her dynamic on-camera acting program to Tampa from Los Angeles. Bondurant has her Meisner Acting certification, studying with mentor, Larry Silverberg She also teaches scene study at Andi Matheny Studios in St. Petersburg. Bondurant can also be heard singing the American Songbook with Paul Wilborn and Blue Roses. “Elegant Chanteuse” with the sultry alto voice, Bondurant finds cabaret the best medium to tell the story in the song. As an original founding member, you will find her performing almost monthly with the Radio Theatre Project at Studio@620. She’s also an active voice-over artist, recently being heard as the voice of the Dali Museum and the St Petersburg Mural tour.

Vocal Music Judge Dawne Wisner Eubanks holds a BA Degree in Music/Voice from Florida State University. This year, she celebrated her 10th anniversary as voice professor at Eckerd College, and her 30th year on the voice faculty at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School. Her solo career has led her to the stages of Carnegie Hall, Dallas’ Meyerson Symphony Center, and locally, the Mahaffey Theatre, Ruth Eckerd Hall, and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. She has sung roles with the Florida Opera Company, Florida Opera West, Inc., Royalty Theatre Company, St. Petersburg [Little] City Theatre, and has been a featured guest soloist with The Florida Orchestra, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Florida Orchestra Master Chorale, and the Turtle Creek Chorale. Favorite local performances include the soprano solos in Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass” and “Creation”, Mozart’s “Exsultate Jubilate”, Handel’s “Messiah”, Bach’s “Magnificat”, Mozart’s “Coronation Mass”, and this year’s “Festival of Praise”, all with members of The Florida Orchestra, and concerts with “Reflections Chamber Ensemble”. Recently, she returned to St. Petersburg City Theatre to musical direct “Jesus Christ Superstar”, while musical directing the spring play at Eckerd College. Dawne maintains a private vocal studio in St. Petersburg, is an active performer, and is assistant Music and Worship Leader at the First Baptist Church of St. Pete, in addition to being a sought after vocal coach and adjudicator for competitions and festivals in voice, choral music, musical theatre, and piano.

Instrumental Music Judge Paul Wilborn is the Executive Director of the Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College. Under his leadership the Palladium has won numerous “Best of the Bay” awards and is recognized as the top venue for jazz, blues, choral music, chamber music and dance in the bay area. Paul is a pianist, musician and bandleader. His American Songbook Series presents intimate cabaret shows at American Stage Theater and other venues around Florida. As founder and leader of Paul Wilborn and the Pop Tarts, he played most major venues in the Tampa Bay area for 15 years. He is a founding member of the WMNF and Studio at 620 Radio Theater Project and contributes radio plays to the project. Paul serves as an adjudicator to a number of music competitions.
Prior to joining the Palladium, Wilborn worked for Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio as Manager of Creative Industries. Major accomplishments included increasing community support for artists and arts organizations, connecting the arts and the economic development communities, and directing Arte 2007, Tampa Bay’s Festival of Latin American Arts. Before joining the city, Wilborn was an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Tampa Tribune, the St. Petersburg Times and the Associated Press in Los Angeles. He was a member of the St. Petersburg Times’ Editorial Board for two years. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida and a Tampa native. Paul’s collection of short fiction, Cigar City Confidential, will be published this fall.

Dance Judge Helen Hansen French is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida. She received her BFA from The Juilliard School in 2001. In addition to BDT’s annual New York City seasons she has toured nationally and internationally performing in such venues as, the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Chautauqua Dance Festival, Vail International Dance Festival, Rishon LeZion International Festival in Israel, and the Oriente Occidente Festival in Rovereto, Italy. Mrs. French has been instrumental in staging BDT’s works at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pieve International School in Italy, North Carolina Dance Theater, and numerous colleges and universities throughout the United States. In addition to working with BDT Mrs. French has also been a member of Karen Reedy Dance, had the pleasure of performing with Nilas Martins’ Dance Company, participated in a residency at White Oak Dance working with choreographer Adam Hougland, and performed in the Guggenheim’s Works/Process program with Brian Reeder and Pam Tanowitz.
As a choreographer/movement maker Mrs. French focuses on collaborations and exploring the relationship between dance and other art forms. In support of these endeavours she has been awarded a 2015, 2016 and 2017 Individual Artist Grant from the City of St. Petersburg and she is also a 2016 Creative Pinellas Artist Fellow. Her work has been shown in theaters, museums and galleries as well as non-traditional performance spaces. Most notably The Peter Jay Sharp Theater, The Palladium, The Museum of Fine Arts, The Tampa Museum of Art, Kaatsbaan, Studio@620, The Florida Botanical Gardens, and along the Pinellas Trail.
Helen is deeply committed to arts education and developing the next generation of artists as well as contributing to the community in which she lives. She is a founding member of the St. Petersburg Dance Alliance, www.spdancealliance.com, co-producer of Beacon: a performance series for St. Pete, and a board member of The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance. Mrs. French teaches dance and the Alexander Technique to all ages and has served on the dance faculties at George Mason University, The Juilliard School, Flint Hill School (VA), the Neighborhood Playhouse (NYC), John Hopkins Middle School and St. Petersburg College.

About Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts

TBBCA was founded in 1989 as the first in Florida “Business Committee for the Arts,” and is today one of 11 national BCA’s and part of the pARTnership Movement and 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.

TBBCA pARTners who generously make possible valuable programs and scholarships include: Premier Eye Care; Stephen Gay & Associates, Realtors; The Wilson Company; Linda and Michael Connelly; Mark Mahaffey; Beaux Arts Group; Greenberg Traurig; Strategic Property Partners; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; ChappellRoberts; Tampa Bay Magazine; The Tampa Bay Times/tbt*; Playbook Public Relations; Armature Works; Bruck Family Foundation; Cox Media Group; Alex McKnight ArchivaImages; and also Phelps Dunbar; Vantage Point Advisors of Raymond James; Thrive Law; BNY Mellon Wealth Management; Anthony & Partners; Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo Private Bank; Katharine Weymouth; Yann and Susana Weymouth; The University of Tampa; Williams Consulting; B2 Communications, and others.
TBBCA is a registered 501 (c ) (3) CH#32681 to donate online www.tbbca.org. For information contact TBBCA Executive Director susanaweymouth@tbbca.org or (813) 221-2787

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Susana Weymouth
813-221-2787
susanaweymouth@tbbca.org

Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts specially commissioned chalk artists will create amazing works of art for TBBCA Chalk Walk with Gasparilla Festival of the Arts March 3 & 4 under the eaves Tampa Museum of Art

TAMPA, Fla. (March 1, 2017) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) is thrilled to pARTner with the 48th Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, for another exciting TBBCA Chalk Walk Saturday, March 3rd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday March 4th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., under the eaves of the Tampa Museum of Art, alongside the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Kiley Garden. Eight specially commissioned chalk artists will create live art to the theme of “Flight”, with an additional commissioned young chalk artist demonstrating her talents in the Festival’s VIP area.

“We are proud to offer this TBBCA Chalk Walk once again at the heart of downtown Tampa with our valued Cultural pARTner Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts,” says Susana Weymouth, Executive Director of TBBCA. “It is a great opportunity to support talented artists of this genre and technical skill while providing a free, fun, family-friendly and accessible program for all ages and levels of art appreciation. TBBCA Chalk Walks help attract the public to area cultural offerings and businesses.”

GFA President of the Board of Directors, Jodie Orozco, commented that GFA “Board of Directors and Committee are proud to present the 48th annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, a juried art fair featuring over 250 visual and performing artists from across the country working in glass, jewelry, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, wood and other media.. We’re all looking forward to enjoying it.” In the past, the festival has attracted tens of thousands of visitors from across the region.

About TBBCA

Tampa Bay BCA (TBBCA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989, one of 11 national Business Committees for the Arts, part of the private sector network of Americans for the Arts. TBBCA mission is to unite Tampa Bay area businesses to champion arts education, arts and culture for a prosperous community, based on the philosophy that ‘the arts are good for business, and business is good for the arts.’ TBBCA provides advocacy, resources and support for arts and cultural organizations, artists, and arts education, and builds awareness of arts and culture as important economic drivers in our community and essential contributors to our quality of life. For information contact TBBCA Executive Director susanaweymouth@tbbca.org or (813) 221-2787, or visit www.tbbca.org.

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 website www.gasparillaarts.org or call (813) 876-1747.

About TBBCA Chalk Artists

Dani Grazziano is a 10th grader at Steinbrenner High School in Lutz Florida. She is the Vice President of her High School Art Club. She is also the 1st and only Graphic Artist for the high school’s year book. Dani has been chalking murals in her driveway since she was 7 years old where she has had many admirers from multiple communities. They would come by just to see her chalk art. Danielle entered her first chalk show at the age of 12 for the Sun Coast Arts Fest at The Wire Grass Mall in Wesley Chapel, FL. At that show she won honorable mention for her drawing of Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night. She was competing with seasoned artists and was received by them with open arms as the next generation of chalk artist. Dani has since gone on to chalk in many other shows including many of TBBCA’s Chalk Walks, where she has also been winner of People’s Choice Awards. Dani hopes to go to Ringling College of Art & Design and become an animator and voice actress.

Twenty two years ago his employer at the time asked Ron Hawkins if he wanted to be their sponsored artist in a sidewalk chalk event in Orlando. Ron had never drawn that large before and considered it a challenge. Through all the rain, pain and mental strain he is still producing side walk art. He considers this a form of Zen art – start with a blank sidewalk, create artwork and let nature (sometimes the festival) take it back to its previous state. Every festival gives him new techniques that are learned from the best artists in the world. He loves Monet’s artwork and as such creates his artwork with an impressionistic feel. More photos have appeared in magazines of his chalk boxes than his artwork. They are a photographer’s dream, organized colors of fancies that will be created. Most of his creations have an underlining meaning for the interpretation of the viewer, animals and landscapes are the focus.

Holland King’s love for illustration began at the age of 12 when he was introduced to comic books. He was forever changed and decided to be a comic book illustrator. Holland studied illustration at the San Francisco Academy of Art. After an enlistment in the Army, he settled in Tampa, Florida where he started to draw comics for different independent publishers. His work has appeared in galleries and restaurants throughout the Tampa Bay Area. He began working with chalk at a South Tampa eatery, where his chalk art there became a draw for the store and was featured in Restaurant Monthly Magazine and on Charlie Belcher’s local news program. He has been working as a freelance artist and chalk artist ever since. Some clients include Cornerstone Creative Studios, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Murals, Noble Crust Restaurant, “These Mayan Hands” Art Gallery, World of Beer, Red Star Rock Bar.

Bridget “BK” Lyons is a Florida Artist who focuses on colors in her paintings. That love of color has become a staple in her choices for street painting. Over the years, she has moved on from flat, bright images to develop her passion for colors and just how far she can push the limits. Her style continues to evolve in street painting, by her mixed use of carefully selected reproductions and inspired original pieces. Aside from street painting, BK also enjoys photography and painting in acrylics.

Nancy A. Naulty is a freelance artist and photographer. She specializes in many different mediums. She is a designated Master Chalk Artist with the Florida Chalk Artist Association and a member of the International Street Painting Society. She is employed as an artist at Painting with a Twist in Lake Mary, FL. Nancy is also an established muralist and has completed several large scale murals for businesses in Central Florida. She has over 12 years’ experience as a chalk artist and has participated in many street painting festivals across the state of Florida. Nancy enjoys gardening, music, playing guitar, cooking, boating and fishing. She is a foster mom to abused and neglected animals with the Animal Rescue Konsortium in Deland, FL. Born in Lawrenceville, N.J. she graduated from Lawrence High School with an Award in Art Excellence. She now lives with her husband and son in Orange City, FL

Tim Ritter is a 38 year old Thai American freelance artist, & very established street painter/chalk artist specializing in Thai & Asian art. Born in Okinawa, Japan in 1979, grew up in Tampa, Florida & resides in Orlando, Florida. Tim is a proud member of the Florida Chalk Artists Association since 2009. He was invited to Los Angeles in March 2017 by world renowned grafitti artist David Choe to appear on The Choe Show an immersive art experience, for his artwork. He has won many awards in street painting. Two time winner for best original art at Festival of the Masters, Walt Disney World collaborating with master sculptor artist Kumpa Tawornprom who introduced him to chalk art in 2008. In 2017 he won 1st place $2000 prize at Naples Pelican Bay Rotary chalk art festival, 1st place best of show at Uptown Arts & music Festival, Mayors choice at Port Orange family days chalk festival, and 1st at the St. John’s River chalk art festival. He has also been a featured at the Palatka Chalk Explosion. As of late he has been painting mini murals on electric boxes for the City of Orlando at Festival Park in the milk district. Tim lives by the quote of one of his favorite artists Henri Matisse “Creativity takes courage.”

Kumpa Tawornprom is an artist and sculptor whose works display impressive color sense and technical skills. He is influenced by his birthplace -Thailand – and Thai heritage. Kumpa’s studies were initially civil engineering, but he was encouraged to pursue fine and graphic arts at St. Petersburg College. From his studio in Safety Harbor he creates works in many mediums, ranging from Styrofoam, cement, metal, wood and stone, to paint, chalk, pencil and other materials. His amazing painted murals, storefronts, large statues, and other recognizable public works can be found throughout Safety Harbor and the greater Tampa Bay area, as well as Disney and Warner Bros. theme parks, urban centers including Miami and Las Vegas, and throughout the country.

Doug Wright is an artist/illustrator currently living in Palm Harbor, Florida. In 2008, he was invited by a friend to participate in the Bloom’n Chalk Fest in beautiful Safety Harbor, Florida. He loved the tactile nature of the medium and appreciated the act of pure artmaking, given the temporary state of the final piece. Doug’s chalk art has received numerous awards at chalk events, including: Bloom’n Chalk Fest, Safety Harbor, FL Best Piece (Classical) – 2008, Best Piece (Wild Things) – 2016, and People’s Choice – 2017; Hyde Park TBBCA Chalk Walk, Tampa, FL Best Small Piece – 2010; Hippiefest, Clearwater, FL 1st Place – 2011; and Clearwater Beach Chalk Art Festival, Clearwater Beach, FL 2nd Place – 2013

Cass Womack has devoted her life to education and the arts. After teaching programming and animation for 4 years and working another 10 as a production artist in the video game industry, Cass decided to take up street painting as a way to get out of the office and reconnect with the community. What started as a hobby in 2011, blossomed into a lifestyle. Cass now travels all over the US and Canada sharing her unique, colorful style, her vast knowledge and love of public art. She loves to experiment with new techniques, surfaces and mediums.
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TAMPA, Fla. (February 16, 2018) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts “TBBCA” 2018 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships applications are due mailed/postmarked by Friday, February 23rd. TBBCA will award $15,000+ in six or more competitive talent and merit based fine and performing arts scholarships of $2500 each in Theatre, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Dance, Literary Arts, and Visual Arts, to Tampa Bay area high school juniors and seniors, helping fund their higher education in the arts. Since this cornerstone TBBCA program in support of arts education and young artists was founded in 2008 by TBBCA Past President, the late Charlie Hounchell, TBBCA has awarded financial assistance for higher education tuition to more than 60 Tampa Bay area students who are some of the most promising and talented young artists and performers in the nation. Qualified students may apply in one, more, or all disciplines, via separate applications for each category. There is no fee to apply. Scholarship awards are applied directly towards tuition expenses at the winner’s selected college, university or professional training program. The guidelines and requirements with the 2018 application form are posted and downloadable on TBBCA website https://www.tbbca.org/programs-events/art-stars-scholarships/ A completed application packet must be postmarked by Friday, Feb. 23 mailed to TBBCA at P.O. Box 559, Tampa, FL 33601. Contact TBBCA Executive Director Susana Weymouth at susanaweymouth@tbbca.org with any questions. Winners will be selected based on talent and merit by a panel of judges who are experts in their respective fields. TBBCA will hold an awards ceremony for the 2018 winners in May. For information on 2017 judges and CHASS recipients, see https://www.tbbca.org/programs-events/art-stars-scholarships/ Past winners have attended prestigious institutions, including The Juilliard School, Yale, The Eastman School of Music, The University of Miami Frost School of Music, Belmont University, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Tufts, Savannah College of Art & Design, Penn State, Northwestern, the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, Florida State University, University of Florida, and others.
About TBBCA
Tampa Bay BCA is a non-profit 501 (c) (3), founded by business leaders in 1989, one of 11 national Business Committees for the Arts, member of the private sector network and national pARTnership movement of Americans for the Arts. For nearly three decades, TBBCA has united businesses in support of culture and the arts in our community, based on the philosophy that ‘the arts are good for business, and business is good for the arts.’ TBBCA pARTnerships support free value-added and curated programming, including Cultural Encounters, Pop-Up Prose and Poetry, TBBCA Chalk Walks, Culturepreneur Leadership Intern Program, Call to Artists, and others. To join the TBBCA pARTnership Movement or to donate online to The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships go to www.tbbca.org. or contact TBBCA Executive Director Susana Weymouth at 813-221-2787. Individual scholarship naming rights and sponsorships are available.

Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts elects six new Board Directors and announces 2018 executive officers
Business leaders bring professional excellence and commitment in support of arts and culture.
TAMPA, Fla. (January 23, 2018) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) is pleased to announce the board executive officers for 2018 and the election of six new directors.
Damien Bertucelli, Vantage Point Advisors of Raymond James, will continue to serve as President and Chair of the board of non-profit TBBCA. Reappointed as board officers are Stephen Gay, of Gay & Associates with Smith & Associates, as Vice-Chair/Vice-President; Sharon Britton, attorney at Phelps Dunbar, as Secretary; and Lisa Carver, CFO of The Wilson Company, as Treasurer.
The new board directors are Matthew Hamilton, Sr. Vice President, Wells Fargo Private Bank; Dr. Helen Levine, Regional Vice-Chancellor of USFSP; Burton Mulford, Portfolio Manager, Eagle Tax Sensitive Strategies, Eagle Asset Management; Pamela Overton, Senior Claim Field Director, Allstate Insurance; Christopher Swink, Sr. Wealth Director, BNY Mellon Wealth Management; and Jeff Wooldridge, Sr. Vice President, Regional Manager, Bank of the Ozarks. Directors serve an initial three-year term that is renewable.
“The TBBCA board welcomes these newly elected directors who are each accomplished professionals with strong backgrounds and expertise,” remarked TBBCA Board President Damien Bertucelli.
“TBBCA is fortunate to pARTner with these committed business leaders who are united in support of arts and culture,” said Susana Weymouth, TBBCA Executive Director. “They will help TBBCA fulfill our mission and strengthen the reach and impact of our organization and programs.”

Matthew Hamilton is a senior private banker for the Southeast region of Wells Fargo Private Bank. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Mr. Hamilton was a Director of Private Banking at Fifth Third Private Bank for Florida. He has been in the financial services industry for more than 14 years. He earned a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida. Matthew also serves on the boards of Winthrop Arts, the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, and as board chair for Culture Connects Tampa Bay.

Dr. Helen Levine leads the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s external affairs. She is a member of the Regional Chancellor’s Leadership Team and of the Internal Advisory Board of the Office of Corporate Partnership for the USF System. Dr. Levine has more than 30 years of experience working in the public sector, including leading comprehensive public affairs office for the City of St. Petersburg and the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners. She serves on numerous boards, including The Florida Holocaust Museum. Together with her wife, Katee Tully, the couple are strong advocates, supporters and donors to many arts and cultural organizations. Dr. Levine earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, Master of Science in Higher Education, and a Ph.D. in Foundations of Education from Florida State University.

Burton Mulford, CFA, is responsible for the management of all Eagle Asset Management’s tax sensitive strategies, overseeing approximately $2 billion in assets under advisement in Eagle’s Municipal Managed Income Solutions and High Quality Tax Free strategies, as well as the Strategic Income Portfolio – Tax Advantaged strategy, which he co-manages. Before joining Eagle in 1999, Burt was the Director of Trading and Portfolio Manager for several bank trust departments. He graduated from Furman University, where he was an All-American swimmer. He earned his M.B.A. with highest distinction from the University of Southern California. He is a Member of Tampa Bay Society of Financial Analysts and a CFA charter holder. Burt’s previous arts and cultural board service includes The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.

Pam Overton is an insurance professional with the Allstate Insurance Company, where as Senior Claim Field Director she leads approximately 800 auto and home claim professionals across the state of Florida.
During her career with Allstate, she has held several leadership positions outside the state, including the Allstate Corporate office in Northbrook, IL as Vice President of Auto and Property Claims.
Pam earned her Master of Business Administration from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. She served on the Board of Trustees of the ICAR Education Foundation. Pam is a native Floridian who grew up in the Orlando area. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Central Florida.
Christopher Swink is Senior Vice President and Senior Wealth Director for BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and Member – Mergers & Acquisitions National Practice Group, working with successful entrepreneurs and business owners with revenues between $10M – $250M who are interested/in process of exiting their business. Throughout his 19 years’ experience, Christopher has assisted 30+ business owners with more than a $1B in assets. Chris joined BNY Mellon Wealth Management in 2013. Previously he was a client advisor of SunTrust Private Wealth Management, and prior to that, relationship manager with Wachovia Wealth Management. His certifications and licenses include Exit Planning and Life and Health Insurance license with the State of Florida. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Florida Southern College. Chris’ service on boards includes the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Tampa Bay, Cancer Society of Tampa Bay, and Tampa Rotary Club. Chris and BNY Mellon Wealth Management are strong supporters of culture and the arts in Tampa Bay.
Jeff Wooldridge is Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of the Hillsborough, Central, and Northern Florida regions at Bank of the Ozarks, responsible for the overall growth strategy and performance of 10 bank retail locations and management team. In his most recent role, Jeff led the retail locations in Pinellas, Sarasota, and Manatee counties as the Vice President and Area Sales Manager for C1 Bank from 2014-2016. Prior to that, from 2008-2014, he served as Vice President and District Manager for Comerica Bank in Dallas, Texas. Jeff began his 24+ year banking career in 1994 with First Union Bank as a teller in Clearwater, Florida. A Tampa native, Mr Wooldridge grew up in Carrollwood, graduated from Chamberlain High School, and was accepted to the School of Music at the University of Miami. Mr. Wooldridge is also a professional Trumpet player and maintains an active performance schedule throughout Florida in addition to his banking career. Jeff has been in numerous Broadway musicals, is a studio session player, has released several solo albums, and has performed with well-known artists such as: The Four Tops, Byron Stripling, Bobby Floyd, Tom Braxton, Greta Matassa, Carmen Bradford, Darryl Williams, Bobby Sparks, Dave Brubeck, Chic Corea, Bob Hope, Marilyn McCoo, Carl Anderson, Harry Connick Sr., Cab Calloway, Keith Anderson and Mario Cruz, and others.
About TBBCA
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts, TBBCA, is a 501(c) (3) founded in 1989, one of 11 national Business Committees for the Arts, part of the private sector network and national pARTnership Movement of Americans for the Arts. TBBCA mission is to unite Tampa Bay businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community, based on the philosophy that “the arts are good for business, and business is good for the arts”. TBBCA pARTnerships and programs connect, motivate and recognize the business community’s leadership and support of arts and culture as vital economic drivers, catalysts for innovation, creativity, transformation and development, and essential contributors to quality of life. For more information on TBBCA, or to join the pARTnership movement, contact Executive Director susanaweymouth@tbbca.org or 813-221-2787 www.tbbca.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Susana Weymouth
813-221-2787
susanaweymouth@tbbca.org

Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts announces Call to Artists for 2018 Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design HART Bus Wrap Art Program
Exciting opportunity for art image to envelope HART bus
TAMPA, Fla. (January 16, 2018) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts “TBBCA” announces Call to Artists is now open for 2018 Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design HART Bus Wrap Art Program. Entries should be an artistic representation of how art and music combine to create community, and brings people together. Artists are requested to register intent to submit by Feb. 1st! Send email to susanaweymouth@tbbca.org Artist’s final concept image digital submission deadline is Friday, April 27, 2018.
The program is presented by Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design (“TBFAD”) in pARTnership with Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts, Gasparilla Music Festival, the Vinik Family Foundation, and VSA Florida – The State Organization on Arts and Disability.
The winning design will be announced at the TBFAD 2018 Gala and will be recognized as the Official Inaugural Image of the 2019 “HART Bus Program.” The HART Bus Program will take place for the majority of the calendar year of 2019 and will feature a thirty five foot long clean diesel public bus acting as a rolling canvas in and throughout Hillsborough County.
The winning artist will receive:
• A $2,000 cash award
• Featured bio in the TBFAD HART Bus printed program
• Recognition on TBFAD & participating organizations’ social media sites
• Possibility of concept image artwork will be reproduced as an “official” image on printed and other material
By entering the contest, you agree that the winning submission will become the property of Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design, with all rights associated thereof. All artists interested in participating are requested to register their intent to submit prior to February 1, 2018 by sending an email to susanaweymouth@tbbca.org
GUIDELINES FOR ENTRY
• The TBFAD HART Bus Program competition is open to all artists residing in the Tampa Bay region
• Limit to one entry per artist
• Entries must be an original art concept image submitted digitally to TBBCA
• Concept image size must scale to (2) x 485” long and 105” tall + back of bus 103” wide and 91” tall
• Artist must include with entry their name, address, phone number and email address when submitting their art concept image digitally to susanaweymouth@tbbca.org Final submission deadline is April 27th.
Entries will be judged by an expert panel of judges and the TBFAD HART Bus Program Committee. HART Bus drivers will make the final decision to select the winning entry. Submissions will be evaluated based on concept, originality, lay out and marketing adaptability.

RELEASE OF RIGHTS OF THE WINNING CONCEPT IMAGE AND ART – HART “Bus Wrap” ART: “Bus Wrap Art” is the completed version of the winning concept image submitted by the selected artist to be used by the Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design. 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 concept and “Bus Wrap” art images become the property of the Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design. Entrants agree to release the Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design and partners Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts, Gasparilla Music Foundation, VSA Florida, Vinik Family Foundation, and from any and all liability resulting from submitting the concept/image art. The Selected artist agrees to release the Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design and partners Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts, Gasparilla Music Foundation, VSA Florida, and Vinik Family Foundation and all their 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 art image entered. Submission of entry art image constitutes consent to use the Selected artist’s name, likeness, and art submission for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes, without compensation.

About Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design (TBFAD)
TBFAD is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring the exploration and appreciation of architecture and the built environment and how it influences shaping our city, our neighborhoods and our lives. TBFAD’s mission is implemented through educational activities and public awareness events engaging citizens of all ages. Established in 2015 with the generous support of the American Institute of Architects Tampa Bay Chapter and the Tampa Community Design Center, TBFAD is committed to nurturing creative cooperation with community and regional organizations to promote and celebrate architecture, the arts and the built environment. The Foundation’s activities focus on public education, research and scholarships.

About Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA)
TBBCA is a non-profit 501 (c) (3), one of 11 national Business Committees for the Arts and private sector network and national pARTnership Movement of Americans for the Arts. Since its founding in 1989, TBBCA has united businesses in support of arts education, and culture and the arts in our community, based on the philosophy that ‘the arts are good for business, and business is good for the arts’. TBBCA connects business and thought leaders in engagement and support of the arts, builds collaborations, innovative pARTnerships and promotes a healthy and successful business and cultural eco-system. TBBCA pARTnerships support programs including Cultural Encounters, TBBCA Chalk Walks, Call to Artists, and The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships. www.tbbca.org

About Vinik Family Foundation
Jeffrey Vinik and his wife Penny move their philanthropy through the Vinik Family Foundation. The couple was once rather focused on Boston where they lived but since they moved to Florida, the Sunshine State has increasingly been in the spotlight. The couple has supported education, including Vinik’s alma maters Duke and Harvard Business School. Arts and culture and human services are other interests.

About Gasparilla Music Festival
The Gasparilla Music Festival presented by Frontier is an annual music festival in downtown Tampa produced by the Gasparilla Music Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The 2017 festival will take place in Curtis Hixon Riverfront Park, Kiley Gardens Park and MacDill Park on March 11th & 12th and will feature musical acts from a wide variety of genres on several stages and cuisine from the region’s top restaurants. As part of its mission to support and promote music and education, the organization is involved throughout the year in several initiatives, including providing scholarships to music students.

About VSA Florida
VSA Florida is private not-for-profit organization, VSA Florida (VSAFL) conducts art education programs in schools, Department of Juvenile Justice facilities, and community centers; promotes the accomplishments of artists with disabilities through our artist registry, exhibitions, and performances; and increases access to the arts through professional development workshops. VSA Florida is a member of the VSA Affiliate Network (a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.) and is headquartered at the David C. Anchin Center in the College of Education at the University of South Florida.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Susana Weymouth
813-221-2787
susanaweymouth@tbbca.org

Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts “TBBCA” announces Call to Artists for the 2018 Gasparilla Music Festival Presented by Cigar City Brewing and Poster Contest presented by Hill Ward Henderson in pARTnership with TBBCA and the Gasparilla Music Foundation.

TAMPA, Fla. (December 13, 2017) – The 7th annual Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) presented by Cigar City Brewing invites Tampa Bay area artists with a passion for music to enter the TBBCA-GMF Poster Contest, presented by Hill Ward Henderson in pARTnership with TBBCA and the Gasparilla Music Foundation.

Artists interested in participating are requested to register their intent to submit prior to Friday, January 12th, 2018 by sending an email to susanaweymouth@tbbca.org
Final original artwork may be submitted prior to, but no later than, the deadline Monday, February 5th, 2018. (Delivery of original art to TBBCA by pre-arrangement only.)

GMF 2018 will take place in downtown Tampa on March 10th & 11th 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. Please do NOT include the GMF name or logo in the artwork; doing so will disqualify the entry. If chosen, GMF branding will be incorporated to the final poster version by GMF.

Entries will be judged by an expert panel of judges and the GMF Poster Committee. GMF will make the final decision to select the winning entry. 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 (date TBD) and will be recognized as the Official Commemorative Poster of the 2018 Gasparilla Music Festival.
The winning artist will receive:
∙ $500 cash award
∙ Two (2) VIP tickets to GMF 2018, valid for both days of the festival ($300 value)
∙ Featured bio in the GMF 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

By entering the contest, artists agree that the winning submission will become the property of GMF and can be auctioned off at the GMF Sound Check party, with proceeds going to the non-profit Gasparilla Music Foundation in support of their arts education, Recycled Tunes, and other programs. The winning artist receives no further cash payment other than the $500 prize.
For non-winning submissions that are selected as finalists, those artists can opt to allow their works to be auctioned at the GMF VIP Sound Check party, with proceeds to be split 50-50 between each artist and GMF, so each artist receives half the proceeds of the sale of the artwork. The remaining half of the proceeds will be used to support the Gasparilla Music Foundation, including its Recycled Tunes program which provides refurbished instruments to area children. Unsold items will be returned to the artist. By submitting an entry for auction, artists may decide on the reserve price of their entry, subject to minimum reserve pricing of $50 and maximum reserve pricing of $500. Only the winning artist(s) give GMF license for reproduction for promotion and sales.

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, artist must include their printed name, address, phone number and email address.

All artists interested in participating are requested to register their intent to submit prior to Friday, January 12, 2018 by sending an email to susanaweymouth@tbbca.org
Artwork must be delivered by pre-arrangement only to Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts, 633 North Franklin Street, Suite 735, Tampa, FL 33602 before or by the submission deadline Monday, February 5, 2018. Artists must contact susanaweymouth@tbbca.org to coordinate your delivery.

About TBBCA
Tampa Bay BCA is a non-profit 501 (c) (3), one of 11 national Business Committees for the Arts, member of the private sector network and pARTnership movement of Americans for the Arts. For over 28 years, TBBCA has united businesses in support of the arts, based on the philosophy that ‘the arts are good for business, and business is good for the arts.’ TBBCA offers programs in support of arts education, culture and the arts in our community, including Call to Artists, Cultural Encounters, TBBCA Chalk Walks, The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships, and others. To learn more go to www.tbbca.org or contact susanaweymouth@tbbca.org or 813-221-2787.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Susana Weymouth
813-221-2787
susanaweymouth@tbbca.org

TBBCA encourages students to gather together their application, recommendation letters, artist statement, work samples, and compete for $15,000+ in scholarships

TAMPA, Fla. (December 6, 2018) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) is proud to continue to financially support arts education and announces The 2018 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships Program Call for Applicants is now open.

This cornerstone TBBCA program in support of arts education and young artists and performers, is named in honor of TBBCA Past President, the late Charlie Hounchell, who was the program’s founder and champion. Each year, TBBCA awards six or more competitive talent and merit based fine and performing arts scholarships of $2500 each in Theatre, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Dance, Literary Arts, and Visual Arts, to Tampa Bay area high school juniors and seniors, helping them to fund their higher education in the arts. Since 2008, TBBCA has awarded over $155,000, providing financial assistance for higher education tuition to more than 60 Tampa Bay area students who are some of the most promising and talented young artists and performers in the nation.

Scholarship awards are applied directly towards tuition expenses at the winner’s selected college, university or professional training program. Winners will be selected based on talent and merit by a panel of judges who are experts in their respective fields. For information on 2017 judges and CHASS recipients, see https://www.tbbca.org/programs-events/art-stars-scholarships/ Past winners have attended prestigious institutions, including The Juilliard School, Yale, The Eastman School of Music, The University of Miami Frost School of Music, Belmont University, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Tufts, Savannah College of Art & Design, Penn State, Northwestern, the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, Florida State University, University of Florida, and others.

The guidelines and requirements with the 2018 application form are posted and downloadable on TBBCA website https://www.tbbca.org/programs-events/art-stars-scholarships/ or contact TBBCA Executive Director Susana Weymouth at susanaweymouth@tbbca.org with any questions or to receive an application via email. There is no fee to apply. Qualified students may apply in one, more, or all disciplines, via separate applications for each category. A completed packet for each application must be mailed to TBBCA at P.O. Box 559, Tampa, FL 33601, by the deadline of Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. TBBCA will hold an awards ceremony for the 2018 winners in May.

About TBBCA
Tampa Bay BCA is a non-profit 501 (c) (3), one of 11 national Business Committees for the Arts, member of the private sector network and pARTnership movement of Americans for the Arts. For over 28 years, TBBCA has united businesses in support of arts education, and culture and the arts in our community, based on the philosophy that ‘the arts are good for business, and business is good for the arts.’ TBBCA pARTnerships support programs including free Cultural Encounters, Pop-Up Prose and Poetry, TBBCA Chalk Walks, Culturepreneur Leadership Intern Program, Call to Artists, and others. The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships – Individual scholarship naming rights and sponsorships are available. For more information, or to join the TBBCA pARTnership Movement of business leaders, or to donate online to The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships contact TBBCA Executive Director Susana Weymouth at 813-221-2787 or email susanaweymouth@tbbca.org.

Tampa, Fla. (October 18, 2017) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts, TBBCA, the only area non-profit that ‘bridges the bay’ providing programming and private sector support for arts and cultural organizations, and arts education, held its annual BCA Impact Awards fundraiser Tuesday, October 17th. The videos on 2017 Impact Awards honorees may be seen at https://www.tbbca.org/programs-events/impactawards2017/
TBBCA Americans for the Arts pARTners and business and community leaders, arts and cultural organizations’ board members, directors, and curators from throughout the Tampa Bay area, were greeted at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel with leading-edge technology digital displays of art by local artists, presented by California based DAYLIGHTED. Honorary Chairs Margaret Word Burnside and Aaron Fodiman, and event Co-Chairs Stephen Gay and Lorna Taylor, welcomed nearly 400 guests as they enjoyed a lively cocktail reception in the art-filled courtyard, followed by a delicious three-course dinner and exciting program. TBBCA Chair’s Circle pARTner ChappellRoberts created a special ‘sizzle reel’ that kicked off the evening, while Russell Rhodes, Anchor of Fox 13’s Good Day Tampa Bay, was the engaging Master of Ceremonies. TBBCA 2017 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarship recipient for Theatre, young high school student Natalie Cottrill, wowed the audience with her talented performance from ‘Funny Girl’. Guests were then inspired by professional videos that celebrated and recognized the 2017 Impact Awards honorees for their outstanding contributions to and in support of arts and culture.
Peter Zinober Shareholder, and Board Certified Labor and Employment Lawyer with Greenberg Traurig, was revealed as a young musical prodigy who has continued his musical pursuits alongside an equally impressive law career. TBBCA honored Zinober for his exemplary service and leadership in support of Tampa Bay arts & cultural organizations for over four decades, including as Board Chair in the nascent years of The Florida Orchestra, the Public Art Commission, the State of Florida Cultural Affairs Council, and the Hillsborough County Arts Council.
Michael Francis, internationally recognized conductor, and music director of The Florida Orchestra, received the International Artistic Achievement Impact Award. The stirring presentation on Francis had the audience on its feet, as the Maestro was lauded for his leadership and for increasing engagement with the Tampa Bay community, including bringing The Florida Orchestra to malls and hospitals, engaging with youth, schools and universities, offering free programming, and performing in communities without access to a resident orchestra – all while vigorously carrying out the vision “to make the arts central to a higher quality of life and to truly inspire, entertain, and educate a wide and diverse audience.” Gregory Yadley, senior law partner with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, and TBBCA founder, Past President and Board Director, and Vice Chair of The Florida Orchestra Board, bestowed the award to Maestro Francis.
Neil Gobioff and Gianna Rendina-Gobioff received the TBBCA 2017 Patrons of Arts & Culture Impact Award for their support through the Gobioff Foundation of many arts organizations within Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, including USF Institute for Research in Art, Jobsite Theater and Tempus Projects. The Gobioff’s video interview shared with the audience the many grants, programs and public art the Gobioff Foundation funds, including the recently launched Treasure Tampa initiative to facilitate creative place-making.
Ruby C. Williams, nationally recognized self-taught folk artist, was heralded for her accomplishments while facing many challenges. The video presentation captured Miss Ruby’s courageous rise from the struggles of the Depression, to ministry and civil rights work, and then her return to farming and creating art in the historic African American town of Bealsville, Florida, founded by freed slaves, including her great grandmother. To make her small farm successful she opened a self-built produce stand on State Road 60, and painted brightly colored signs to attract visitors. Her paintings have been featured in books and exhibitions, galleries and museums, including The Smithsonian African American Museum in Washington, D.C. Miss Ruby remarks accepting the 2017 Lifetime Artistic Achievement Impact Award could clearly be seen to have moved the audience.
This year’s TBBCA Impact Awards sculptures were specially commissioned and created by Mark Aeling, MGA Sculpture studio. The musical entertainment was provided by Austin Vickrey Jazz Quartet. TBBCA announced next Impact Awards date of October 18, 2018.