Dorothy Cowden, director of University of Tampa´s Scarfone/Hartley Gallery
Sometimes what you´re looking for is right under your nose. So while the new-kids-on-the-block creative cultural movers and shakers conjure up new paradigms to foster the Bay area as a winning attraction, they ought to consult Dorothy Cowden, University of Tampa´s secret weapon. Cowden, former co-owner of Berghoff-Cowden Gallery, has served as director of the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery since 1977. Since 1999 her duties have included directing STUDIO-f, the university´s print facility (founded by the late Julio Juristo in 1990). In addition to student exhibitions, the gallery has featured Ed Paschke, John Walker, Posoon Park Sung, Hoang Van-Bui, Tanja Softic and ¨Electronics Alive,¨ a sample of cutting-edge technology-assisted art. Famed artist Miriam Schapiro arrives in October for multiple events, including her exhibition in the relocated and newly designed Scarfone-Hartley Gallery and a residency at the print studio. Cowden has attracted some of the leading artists in the country to spend several weeks with Master Printer Carl Cowden (her son). After each residency, UT chooses two monoprints for the permanent collection, which are available for loan. In recent years the visiting artist roster included Paschke, Sam Gilliam, Robert Zakanitch and Audrey Flack. Cowden functions like a one-woman band, moving effortlessly from project to project, often doing the work of a sizable staff that doesn´t exist. On any given day, she might be researching a prospective artist for an exhibition, writing grants or developing promotional materials with graphic designer Bob Terri. Dorothy Cowden calls Studio-f the jewel in the university´s new art building. The same might be said of her.
The Scarfone/Hartley Gallery, R.K. Bailey Arts Studios, 310 N. Boulevard, University of Tampa campus, 813-253-6217, www.ut.edu/academics/liberalarts/departments/art/galleries.html.
This article appears in Sep 22-28, 2004.