Staff Report
Tampa Tribune
Published: July 18, 2007
TAMPA - There's a new kind of gallery in South Tampa.
At least it looks like an art gallery, with paintings, sculptures, jewelry, vases and furniture filling the open spaces with color and intrigue. The Tampa Artist Emporium, 1618 Snow Ave., is in the space formerly occupied by the Ann Taylor store at Hyde Park Village.
Owner and photographer Shelby Boggs is among the 31 local artists showing their works in the store.
'I work with the word 'emporium' because it's more of a store rather than a place to ponder over art,' Boggs said.
Another difference: Artists rent space at the emporium.
'This way, the artists get to keep all their profits,' Boggs said. 'And they are not exclusive to us. We promote them, but they are free to show anywhere else.'
The idea is to promote local artists.
'I got the idea in Asheville, N.C. where there's a store that rents to over 80 local artists,' Boggs said. 'I want everyone in Tampa to know that there is a large art community in Tampa. It's just not seen very much because it's so spread out.'
The store opened July 2.
'This is exactly what Tampa needs - a place for local artists to show good art,' shopper Susan Rieth said.
Boggs also is indulging her first love at her store, with a full photography studio, complete with backdrops, lighting and camera equipment.
'So I can rent it out to any photographers who need that kind of a setup for shoots,' she said.
The rental space is full, Boggs said, but there may be openings in October if artists don't renew their three-month contracts.
In addition to Boggs, the store features: Art to Wear by Lea, jewelry; Chad Cordoza, craft; Linda Chaney, acrylic/oil; Rozanna Colon, furniture; Lora Duguay, oils; Kathy Durdin, watercolor; Jeff Farley, oil/ink; From the Earth Pottery, clay; Mitzi Gordon, photography; Rigoberto Guerrero, acrylics; Dave Gutcher, photography; Kate Hamilton, jewelry; Sandra Jarrett, acrylics; Susan Kubes, oils; Danielle Landis, photography; Curtis Miles, glass; Haleh Pinney, watercolor; Shyama Rangwala, craft; Dorothy Riley, oils; Mel Robinson, oils; Harriet Rollitt, oils; Virginia Spalter, glass; Steven Sperry, digital; Robert Stagemyer, sculpture; Richard Stewart, photography; Roy Streeter, acrylics/watercolor; Bradley Valentine, photography; Jimmy Vann, acrylics; Patricia Walton, jewelry; and Daniel Woodrum, photography.
Meet the artists and see their works at the opening reception from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Boggs said she plans to host 'mixers,' with proceeds from sales benefiting local charities.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For information, go to www.tampaartistemporium .com or call (813) 254-3443.
