(TAMPA, FL; JUNE 11, 2015) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA) and pARTner Hyde Park Village are hosting Art is Good Cultural Encounter on Thursday, June 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Piquant Epicure & Cuisine in the Village, 1633 W. Snow Avenue, Tampa, 33606. The event will announce and introduce local Tampa restaurateur and philanthropist, Richard Gonzmart, as the TBBCA Impact Awards 2015 “Patron of Culture & the Arts” Honoree. The event is free and open to the public.

“Hyde Park Village understands the importance of a thriving cultural epicenter. Through pARTner TBBCA, and through art, we are able to connect with the Tampa Bay community, and recognize patrons of the arts, like Richard Gonzmart, who hold the history of Tampa in such high regard,” says Susan Martin, General Manager of Hyde Park Village.

Art is Good Cultural Encounter will showcase Hyde Park Village and Art Production Fund’s Public Art Initiative by installing banners by artist, Deborah Kass. Tampa Bay area winning artists selected by judges from TBBCA “Call to Artists” will be at the event, presenting their original artwork inspired by the work of Deborah Kass.

Deborah Kass employs the visual motifs of post-war painting to explore the intersection of politics, popular culture, art history and personal identity. Her work is in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art, New York; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; The Solomon Guggenheim Museum, New York; Museum of Fine Art, Boston; The National Portrait Gallery, Washington D.C. and numerous public and private collections.

The emcee for the event, who will also emcee TBBCA Impact Awards gala, October 22, 2015, is WTVT-TV FOX Good Day Tampa Bay Anchor, Russell Rhodes.

About TBBCA:

TBBCA is a non-profit organization founded in 1989. It remains today one of 12 affiliate organizations in the U.S. 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 Chalk Walk and The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships, TBBCA provides valuable funding support for artists 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.

About Hyde Park Village:

Hyde Park Village is comprised of six city blocks in the heart of the Hyde Park Historic District—one of Tampa Bay’s most desirable residential areas. Since its first buildings were constructed in 1905, this landmark retail destination has been a cherished regional hub. Home to a unique mixture of local, regional and national retailers including Anthropologie, Aveda Level Salonspa, Brooks Brothers, Blue Moon Trading Company, Carlton Ward Photography, CinéBistro, Don Me Now – Styling & Clothing Lounge, Dixieland Monogram, Downtown Dogs, Irish 31 Pub House & Eatery, Juxtapose Apparel & Studio, lululemon athletica, Piquant Epicure & Cuisine, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Salt Pines, Timpano Italian Chophouse, west elm, The White Magnolia Bridal Collection, J. McLaughlin, Wine Exchange Bistro & Wine Bar. Retailers recently joined or coming soon to The Village include Sur La Table, Paper Source, bar taco, On Swann and Buddy Brew Coffee.  The Village offers a variety of high-end shopping, dining, and entertainment essentials to the Tampa Bay community. With a beautiful fountain, brick walkways, and majestic oak trees, it also provides an exceptional venue for the monthly Fresh Market held the first Sunday of the month. 

About WS Development:

One of the largest privately owned retail development firms in the U.S., WS Development develops, owns, manages and leases a portfolio of more than 88 properties totaling over 20 million sf, with an additional 4 million sf under development.  At each of its open-air lifestyle centers, power centers, community centers, and mixed-use developments, WS is committed to long-term investments built on trust, respect, and teamwork. Visit wsdevelopment.com, call 617.232.8900 and follow @WSDevelopment on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.

For more information, please contact:

Susana Weymouth
susanaweymouth@tbbca.org

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