For sound reason, Tampa is often characterized as a city that can't quite figure out the location of its own artistic center. Will it be the still elusive Channelside, a revival of Ybor City, funky Seminole Heights — or the more likely downtown cultural arts district, a viable candidate but still years away from realization? Talk is cheap; it takes decisive action to make things happen. Director Amber N. Evans, armed with a marketing degree, had no trouble figuring out where to open her new space. With advice from artist A.A. Rucci, Evans' dream, The Beaker Gallery, now occupies downtown Tampa's prize corner at Ashley Drive and Kennedy Boulevard. It's directly across from where current plans would place the new museum. The gallery showcases contemporary art and aims to foster meaningful dialogue between artists and the community. "Concept-based" group shows promote a sophisticated melange of such established Florida artists as Mernet Larsen, Richard Beckman and Leslie Lerner. The gallery has also shown Tampa-bred New Yorker Josette Urso and numerous Miami artists, including Robert Chambers. Rucci typically networks with European artists and shows his own cutting-edge work at Beaker while developing a promising exhibition record in Houston and New York. Networking is the name of the game for this developing gallery. The Evans/Rucci team is intent on attracting significant foot traffic from the growing downtown business district and, of course, in cultivating a market for their art within corporate America — Tampa style. Congratulations to Amber N. Evans for an inspired cosmopolitan touch in Tampa's evolving downtown cultural life.
The Beaker Gallery, 401 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-221-6876.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2003.