The local art scene may not be as prominent as, say, the scene in Paris or Amsterdam, but we're quite blessed compared to other communities of the same size. The Bay area features a generous variety of museums and while most have an entry fee (albeit a small one), almost all area galleries are free and open to the public, and there are some interesting exhibits you should check out before they're gone.The Pier features spectacular sunsets, fun social events and a family-friendly atmosphere. It's also home to Project Creo: Center for Art and Design, a modern art gallery located on the third floor. Sola Creo II is the gallery's fourth installment, a multimedia exhibit of Tampa Bay's emerging artists and designers, such as Jack Barrett, Edgar S. Cumbas, Tes One, Rebecca Skelton, Matt Boyle, John Langly and more. (Project Creo was founded to support contemporary artists pursuing innovation in all art media, and its mission includes promoting an appreciation for the important role that art and design play in our community.) Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed.-Fri., noon to 8 p.m. Sat., and noon to 6 p.m. Sun. This exhibit is tentatively scheduled to close on Aug. 8. (800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg. 727-898-8318.)
Tampa muralist Terry Klaaren displays the creative results of his painting excursions all over the globe in his most recent solo show, Off the Wall: The Studio Art of Terry Klaaren. Klaaren's passion for art results in works of art in acrylics, oils, watercolors and mixed media. His subjects range from natural scenes and animals to portraits of children, adults, pets and homes, and he draws inspiration from his appreciation of the environment and nature. You can check out his works at Great Art & Frame. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mon.-Thu., 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sat. and Sun., and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sun. through Aug. 11. (9906 W. Linebaugh, Tampa. 813-792-8960.)
Fiorini Gallery and Frame is a cozy little gallery in downtown St. Pete and William Girard's Pride in Art exhibit has its final showing there on Thu., Aug. 12. Girard's frame of subject matter and historical reference is remarkably vast. Greek mythology, Christianity, Eastern thought, Western literature, and centuries of art history are mixed and matched to form new combinations, with resulting artworks that explore a broad spectrum of experience. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat. (2435 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-327-9000.)
This article appears in Aug 5-11, 2004.
