A Farewell Symphony: Reflecting on an Artistic Journey with Tampa Bay Times

As the sun sets on my 18-year journey with the Tampa Bay Times, I find myself wrapped in a mixture of nostalgia and excitement. My last day as the arts writer will be August 30, a date that marks not just an end, but the dawning of a new adventure.

The story begins in 2006 when I stepped through the doors of the Times as a weary part-time editorial assistant, seeking a creative refuge. At that time, my days were spent managing the Florida CraftArt gallery, mere steps away from the newspaper’s vibrant hub in St. Petersburg. It was at the Times that I rediscovered my passion for storytelling, shifting gears from gallery life when burnout loomed like a shadow.

With each passing year, I watched myself evolve, blossoming into a full-time arts writer by 2019, a role steeped in passion and purpose. The Tampa Bay area, a cultural tapestry woven with diversity and vibrancy, became my playground. I had the privilege of chronicling the exuberance of art during a time of remarkable growth, where three extraordinary art museums sprang up in St. Petersburg: the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, Imagine Museum, and the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, each a wonder waiting to be explored.

St. Petersburg unveiled its whimsical treasure, Fairgrounds, now FloridaRAMA, an immersive art experience that tantalized the senses. The Dalí Museum, with its innovative embrace of artificial intelligence, revealed Salvador Dalí’s life story in awe-inspiring ways. Memories of experiencing the Dream Tapestry remain a vivid highlight, blending dreams with reality like the brushstrokes on a canvas.

I relished covering art events across the region, from the blossoming Sarasota scene with The Ringling Museum to the lush landscapes of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Each venue unfolded its magic, showcasing talent from emerging artists to seasoned visionaries. Highlights included the stunning “Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith: Flowers, Poetry, and Light” and exhibitions that celebrate the essence of community and culture.

I ventured into artistic havens, like the Morean Arts Center, where innovation flourished. Glass art became a newfound love, thanks to Duncan McClellan and his world-class gallery and school, illuminating the intricate dance of creation behind each fragile masterpiece.

Through the pandemic’s gloom, the conversations with artists who painted the Black Lives Matter mural brought color back into my world, cementing a connection I’ll cherish forever. I savored the vibrance of the Shine Mural Festival, tracing the strokes of creativity unfolding before my eyes, each mural breathing life back into the streets.

Creative Pinellas blossomed under my watchful eye, nurturing local talents with exhibitions that showcased the beauty of diversity, such as the “Florida Watercolor Society 53rd Annual Exhibition” featuring a 99-year-old artist experiencing their first exhibition. My adventures extended to the theatrical realm, where I experienced the breathtaking performances of The Straz Center and the original productions at St. Petersburg’s Freefall Theatre, each scene scripted in the rich fabric of Tampa Bay’s artistic heritage.

From symphonies led by the incomparable Michael Francis to indulgent concerts with icons like Alicia Keys and Madonna, every note resonated deep within my soul, redefining my understanding of music and community. Food, too, became part of the canvas; exploring new dining spots and eclectic flavors added layers to the vibrant tapestry of my experiences.

What awaits me as I turn this page? The horizon is a mystery, but my commitment to supporting the arts remains unwavering. A theater subscription and a museum membership await as I step into this new chapter. I encourage you to do the same; let this whirlwind of creativity continue to enchant and inspire our beloved Tampa Bay.