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Lots In Store At Arts Fest

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By GEORGE WILKENS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2007

TAMPA PALMS - This year's New Tampa Arts Festival will have more participants, a prestigious judge, more entertainment and even a beer garden, organizers of the free two-day event have announced.

Prize money totaling $9,500 - including $5,000 for best of show - has attracted artists from the Tampa Bay area, elsewhere across Florida and other states, said Steve Rothfarb of the New Tampa Community Council, the nonprofit organization that launched the festival last year.

Rothfarb, owner/operator of Frame by Frame Gallery in City Plaza at Tampa Palms, is the council's liaison with the arts community, coordinating entries in the juried show Nov. 17 and 18.

Rothfarb secured Ken Rollins, interim executive director of the Tampa Museum of Art, to judge the event.

"He's a very important man in the Tampa art world," Rothfarb said.

The show last year attracted 46 artists. This year, 65 are expected, Rothfarb said.

"We have artists working in all the traditional mediums: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, mixed media," he said. "It's going to be a good show; we hope to have a good turnout."

Last year's festival drew an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people.

Frank Margarella, chairman of the event, said entertainment will include a performance by saxophonist Dayve Stewart. The 24-year-old Tampa native, who graduated from Blake High School and continued his musical education at Florida State University, has been performing since age 12.

Stewart's debut album released in 2005, "Feel Me," features his "funky jazz" and strong melodies. Recently, Stewart toured with the legendary Al Green.

Stewart is scheduled to perform from 4 to 5 p.m. Nov. 17.

There will be additional musical entertainment during the festival, including performances by Margarella and photographer Bob Thompson, owner of Thompson Studios.

Another addition this year will be a beer garden near the stage, where beer and wine will be sold, Margarella said.

The festival is again being held on the grounds of Palm Lake at Tampa Palms office building, but the layout will be different, Margarella said.

Sponsor booths and food concessions will be in the main parking lot, not the narrow lot at the building's northwest side, Margarella said.

"We're really proud to be contributing to the art scene and providing arts and culture in New Tampa," Rothfarb said. "It's going to be a good show."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: New Tampa Arts Festival

WHEN: From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 18

WHERE: Grounds of the Palm Lake at Tampa Palms office building, 15310 Amberly Drive

HOW MUCH: Admission and parking are free

INFORMATION: Visit www.newtampa.org

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4847 or gwilkens@tampatrib.com.

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