The media are saturated with ads that do little more than compete for attention, but on occasion one will escape its purpose of selling something and capture a sentiment, make an important argument or illuminate a truth. Ads of this sort tend to earn their creators a piece of gold at the nation's largest advertising competition, the ADDY Awards, and winning one means more than just a nice addition to one's resume.The public is invited to view the 2003 ADDY Award entries of the Tampa Bay Advertising Federation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 13-16, at the Scarfone Gallery on the campus of University of Tampa. Also, a reception ($5 suggested donation) with wine and hors d'oeuvres takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15.
This year's ADDY theme, The Ultimate Ad Challenge, encourages the impassioned artists, designers and copywriters who make ads to step up their efforts and dare to be judged. A panel of independent national, judges determines whose work advances. Local winners have the opportunity to vie against statewide entries, with state winners proceeding to the national competition. With more than 60,000 entries, though, competition is high to say the least.
The University of Tampa is located at 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. For more info, call 813-988-0737.
Briefly on display at three locations in Hillsborough is the craftwork of the Sandy Creek Weavers, a mother-daughter duo based in North Carolina. Professionally trained weavers, they are participating in an unusual community residency called the Tapestry Project, sponsored by the Arts Council.
People can stop by the sites of the project and see how the weavers' 200-year-old floor loom works, and even assist with the weaving of a giant tapestry.
The Sandy Creek Weavers are at the Moffitt Cancer Center Lobby from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 10. Then they'll be at Tinker Elementary on MacDill Air Force Base from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 14-17. And their last stop is the Hillsborough County Center Lobby from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 21-24.
Anyone caring to commemorate a loved one can bring an object such as a stuffed animal, photograph, strip or clothing, etc., to be woven into a site's tapestry. The finished pieces will offer a quaint snapshot of the community.
The Moffitt Cancer Center is located at 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa. Tinker Elementary is located at 8207 Tinker Street on MacDill AFB (allow 30 minutes to pass through MacDill's Visitor Center). And the Hillsborough County Center is located at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.
For more info on the Tapestry Project, call 813-276-8250.
This article appears in Jan 8-14, 2003.