While Brad Cooper was cruising the European art scene looking for contacts and developing relationships for future shows, Ybor City was inadvertently deprived of a few monthsÔ worth of high-quality culture. Not that Tampa's Latin Quarter lacks great galleries, but precious few boast owner/directors with more 20 years of experience. Brad Cooper Gallery at long last reopens this weekend with two exhibitions. The first, Still Life Painting, features richly detailed, brilliantly colored works by G.C. Williams. The second, Works on Paper: Pastels & Watercolors, showcases a series of powerful images by John Gregory that offer an alternate view of the American Dream. These solo shows, the first for both artists, came as a result of their Best of Show wins in the gallery's International Biennial Juried Exhibition last summer – Williams won in the painting category, and Gregory took home works-on-paper honors. The opening reception for both exhibits takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Sat., July 16.
Still Life Painting and Works on Paper can also be seen during regular gallery hours, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Both shows continue through Aug. 27. Brad Cooper Gallery, 1712 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, 813-248-6098.
This article appears in Jul 13-19, 2005.