If you read our Tempus 10th anniversary feature back in December 2019, then you already know that Tempus Projects’ founder, Tracy Midulla, is a sociable person.
“It’s always been very important to me that Tempus is a place where people can gather, share ideas, see artwork,” Midulla told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay back in December. Of course, that quote was pre-pandemic. Now it’s not safe to gather in large numbers anywhere.
“It’s been so lonely without you here”
In person Fri.-Sat. July 17-18 (5 p.m.-8 p.m.) and Sun. July 19 (2 p.m.-5 p.m.) by appointment only.
LiveWork Studios, 6405 N. Florida Ave., Tampa.
You must direct message @tempus_projects on Instagram to make an appointment.
Virtual visits available through July 31 via Instagram and tempus-projects.com.
I’ve missed seeing pre-pandemic Midulla dancing around the old Tempus Projects Space, waiting for guests to arrive at her popular monthly opening receptions. Maybe you have, too. Well, if the title of Tempus Projects’ latest show is any indication, Midulla has missed us as well.
“It’s been so lonely without you here” features work from 10 artists whose work Tempus Projects showed regularly pre-pandemic: George Anderton, Janine Awai, Neil Bender, Catalina Cheng, Edgar Sanchez Cumbas, William Downs, Sharon Norwood, Selina Roman, Mario Schambon, and Jake Troyli.
“The whole summer we’ve mostly worked with artists we already had a strong relationship with,” says Midulla.
The process afforded Midulla the opportunity to get in touch with old friends and find out what they’ve been working on during this period of relative isolation. Up until now, these summer shows have all been virtual—momentarily guest-hosted wherever space allowed.
“All these exhibitions have been installed in weird little nooks and crannies just to be able to not expose people in the process,” Midulla adds. Tempus hangs the artwork, photographs it, and then takes it right back down.
“Because if there are no guests coming, there's no need to leave it there,” says Midulla.
"These virtual exhibitions have done really well," says Midulla. "We've actually made some sales so some of the artists who are without jobs are at least making a little bit of money on art sales.”
But people keep asking Midulla if they can come see the artwork in person.
Tempus Projects—now located at 3600 N. Nebraska Ave. in Ybor Heights—hasn’t had a physical exhibition since they bid farewell to their old space in December. Until now.
As a compromise, Midulla’s allowing people to see “It’s been so lonely without you here” at LiveWork Studios—located at 6405 N. Florida Ave. in Old Seminole Heights—in person, this weekend only, in groups of four or less, wearing masks, social distancing, and by appointment only. The exhibition continues, virtually, via Instagram (and Facebook) through the end of July.
The show features 14 works of art in black and white, including photos, paintings, and drawings. “It’s been so lonely without you here" doesn’t have a theme, per se, but “you can’t ignore current politics right now,” says Midulla.
“So we are making a point of asking the artists if they are willing to donate a portion of their proceeds to Black Lives Matter,” Midulla told CL. “That is definitely a common thread between all of the artists. I think everybody is contributing something. Due to COVID, not everybody is in a position to donate, so we just asked each artist to let us know the percentage that they're willing to give."
Midulla describes the show as an opportunity for Tempus to see some people who want to get out. It also marks the kick-off of Tempus’ annual membership drive.
“A lot of the people [making] appointments are renewing their memberships,” says Midulla. “They want to pick up their swag.”
“I think the work is beautiful,” says Midulla, who’s a big fan of black and white work in general. But, she says, the real highlight for her will be seeing people she hasn’t seen since March.
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This article appears in Jul 23-29, 2020.