The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (GFA) announced the selection of the Festival Image which will be used to promote the 54th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Entitled Ride Your Way by Karina Llergo, the image represents the quality of art on display by the 230+ main show artists and 15 emerging artists on March 2-3, 2024 at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in downtown Tampa.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Karina Llergo received her bachelor’s degree in graphic design as well as advanced degrees in multimedia, animation, and abstract art. She studied with famed Mexican artist Roberto Cortazar and portraitist Enrique Estrada, who both encouraged her to continue her artistic journey.

While continuing her artistic path, Llergo enjoyed a successful career as art director for Mexico City’s top newspaper Reforma and at renowned advertising agency McCann Erickson. Among the many campaigns she helped create include clients such as Coca-Cola, Revlon, and Kimberly Clark.

Since moving to Chicago in 2007 and transitioning to art full time, Llergo’s work has received accolades throughout the vibrant Chicagoland art world. Among her honors, Karina has received numerous Outstanding Achievement and Best In Show awards at distinguished art shows all over Chicagoland and exhibits in galleries throughout the United States.

Of Mexican, Armenian, and Spanish descent, Karina’s diverse background influences her life in every way, as does her passion for the creative arts. Additional awards include; 2022 Best of Category at the Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival in Hinsdale, Illinois and 2021 Best of Category in the Gold Coast Art Fair in Chicago.

“The significance of having my painting selected for the Festival holds great personal and artistic value for me. Ride Your Way is a piece of my soul, and having it chosen creates a deep emotional connection,” said Llergo. “It’s a moment of celebration and inspires me to continue pushing boundaries by exploring new facets of my artistic practice.”

Llergo has been part of the GFA main show for the last three years and feels it is one of the top shows she’s participated in. She credits its commitment to promoting and showcasing diverse art, exemplary organization, outstanding award recognitions, and community engagement as what sets GFA apart. She anticipates being a part of GFA for years to come.

As a lifelong dancer, Llergo has always been drawn to artwork that features movement and the human form.

“I continually seek fresh ways to capture the magic of energy through motion of the human body,” said Llergo. “I turn figures into fluid entities. I weave dance, air, and water, into my paintings to create another unworldly likeness.”

Ride Your Way will be featured on all promotional materials, ad campaigns, and merchandise that will be available at the 54th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. To learn more, visit www.gasparillaarts.com.

From Tampa Bay Times:

Have you seen the massive moon glowing from inside the Mahaffey Theater?

The dazzling installation hangs in the atrium and is visible in the new restaurant Sonata’s upstairs location. It’s also a spectacle for patrons outside on the pavilion.

It’s made by United Kingdom-based artist Luke Jerram and is a whopping 23 feet in diameter. The spherical sculpture is made of fabric internally lit and features NASA imagery of the moon.

It came to the Mahaffey Theater as a permanent loan from Trish Duggan, founder of St. Petersburg’s Imagine Museum. Duggan, the museum and the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts have also formed a partnership to showcase local artists — including Duggan’s — at the theater.

That collaboration led Duggan to offer the celestial spectacle to Bill Edwards — chairperson and CEO of Big3 Entertainment, the company that operates the Mahaffey Theater — just in time for Sonata’s opening.

Fahan Sky McDonagh, art director of Duggan’s TD Glass studio, led the installation of the sculpture with help from Mahaffey staff. She explained that a fan gives the sculpture its round shape, but before it could be plugged in, they had to blow it up two-thirds of its fullness with a leaf blower. Then they raised it up and it self-inflated.

McDonagh said she positioned the sculpture to give diners at Sonata a view of “the man in the moon.”

It’s another part of Edwards’ vision to enhance the theater.

“Three arts collide,” he said. “You’ve got culinary arts, performing art and visual arts.”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Nov. 27, 2023 – PRLog — Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts benefitting the Mahaffey Theater will be presenting Ericka Dunlap’s “A Christmas with Soul” show on Wednesday, December 20 at 7:00 PM. This Christmas show is curated and produced by Florida’s own, Forever Miss America, Ericka Dunlap who last graced the Mahaffey Stage 20 years ago during her historic win as the first African American woman to be crowned Miss Florida, (as of 2022 there has not been another black Miss Florida).

“When the opportunity arose to have Ericka Dunlap perform on our stage and to serve those less fortunate, I was happy to sponsor her show in our programming. We always keep diversity and inclusion top of mind by making our venue and shows accessible to all,” said Bill Edwards, Founder & CEO of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. “We are excited to work with Ericka on this great partnership, since her platform while competing for Miss Florida was “United We Stand: Divided We Fall Behind – Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion. That’s a big part of our mission at the theater as well.”

The nonprofits participating in the collaboration are: The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation, Warehouse Arts District Association, Mt. Zion Progressive Baptist Church, PARC, Boys & Girls Clubs and more.

“I am so pleased and honored to return to the Mahaffey stage. It’s like coming back home. I cannot wait to perform on this stage and thank Bill Edwards for his generosity to the community for partnering with our Christmas show at the Mahaffey, said Ericka Dunlap. “I want all kids to see that they too can participate, compete and realize their dreams. I sang at the Mahaffey 20 years ago to win the title of Miss Florida and now my life comes full circle on this very stage. It was an experience I will never forget – making this new performance even more special.”

“A Christmas with Soul is more than a concert, it’s a musical extravaganza complete with exquisite costumes, phenomenal choreography, and masterfully soulful renditions of Holiday Classics of Christmas’ past,” said Amy Miller, President of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts.“The show features a live 10-piece band, Motown and R&B power vocals, high energy dancing and a bit of Gospel. This is something people of all ages can enjoy at the theater, and it’s our first accessible holiday show for families.”

Prior to the show patrons can enjoy live Christmas carolers provided by Stacie Steinke of Festive Florida Singers.Tickets for the show start at $38 and are on sale now. Call 727-300-2000 or online at https://themahaffey.com/show/christmas-with-soul/ to purchase tickets.

About Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts –
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts was founded as a 501(c 3)  nonprofit in 2011 and is dedicated to providing arts education programs, community outreach, live performances as well as concerts and all genres of performing arts for the entire community with emphasis on culturally diverse programming for youth and families. The foundation is the support arm for the programming at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater. For more information about the foundation visit, BillEdwardsFoundationfortheArts.org
TheMahaffey.com or call 727.300.2000

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Nov. 14, 2023 — Altruistic Beauty Academy located in downtown Clearwater will be hosting its first graduation for the inaugural class of 2023. The school’s hybrid education model allows students to complete their theory learning off-site with hands-on practical training being supervised on the school’s premises. The practical hands-on experience and business leadership skills taught at the school are designed for students to succeed upon graduation.

“I’m so excited to have our first group of students complete the courses successfully and graduate,” said Christina Sisler, Founder and CEO of Altruistic Beauty Academy. “We want our students to graduate from our programs prepared to advance in the workplace – whether it’s working in a Medispa, Plastic Surgeon’s office, Dermatology Office, Wellness Clinic, Beauty Sales or starting their own business or enhancing the service offerings they may already have. Whatever the case, we provide the leadership skills and practical tools to succeed. We also continue to provide mentorship and workshops for advanced learning available after graduation through our Alumni Program.”

Founder, Christina Sisler has 20+ years’ experience caring for others by educating and working as a nurse in healthcare. Sisler found her calling as a Founder, CEO and Instructor by creating a place for students to get inspired. A primary goal at the school is to open students’ creative thinking skills. Once a student enrolls, they are provided with educational initiatives to get them started with the proper tools to build the self-confidence needed to succeed in the beauty and wellness industry.

Programs offered at the school are:

• Electrolysis Laser Technician
• Clinical Esthetician
• Medical Aesthetician (Dual License Program)
• Massage Therapy
• Permanent Makeup Training Workshop
• Facial Specialist
• CE Courses for license renewals (HIV, Massage Therapy, Cosmetology)
• Medical Courses that include Phlebotomy, Patient Care Technician, Medical Administrative Assistant
• American Heart Association Training Site for: Basic Life Support Training, ACLS, HeartSaver CPR, AED, First Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogens

“Potential students are welcome to stop by the school to take a tour to learn more – we welcome visitors to see what we’re about,” added Sisler.

About Altruistic Beauty Academy
Founded in January of 2021, the mission of the school is to provide the highest level of education to the community through their commitment to the students. Their educators are trained in classroom management, distance learning methods and adult education strategies to provide you with the highest quality education experience. Currently the school is applying for accreditation on the programs that can be fully accredited. Other programs students will receive certification(s) upon passing and completing the courses along with the practical hours required. Altruistic Academy is located at 1253 Park St, Clearwater, FL 33756 and can be reached at 727-900-4370 or online

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Oct. 31, 2023 — Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts will be hosting an Educator Appreciation Event on Thursday, November 16th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. The purpose of the event is to honor our teachers and to inform them about the CLASS ACTS educational programming and field trips that the foundation provides for free to the schools in a six-county area on an annual basis.

“Here at the Foundation, we are trying to help children become inspired by the performing arts – as well as potentially identify career opportunities in the arts. Having performances and field trips available and accessible to all is very important to me and my team. It’s why we want to make sure educational opportunities like this are a fun and engaging experience to a diverse audience,” said Bill Edwards, Founder & CEO of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. “Some children may not have the opportunity to see a theater performance – so we want to ensure the program is inclusive as well as teach kids about all aspects of the arts.”

The event will be held in the lower lobby of the Mahaffey Theater with space for up to 300 people. Elected officials and dignitaries will be invited to attend. Information about the CLASS ACTS educational youth programming will be available at the event and refreshments will be provided. Teachers will have the opportunity to hear from Bill Edwards about the programs and meet the foundation’s entire team.

“We want our educators and local elected officials to be aware of the free educational programming we offer to the students in our community,” said Amy Miller, President of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. “We’re very proud of the curriculum we offer students from Pre-K-12, including visual, literary, music and performing arts. We’ve also added three STEAM programs this year as part of the Bam! Festival series which we are pleased to offer.”

About Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts –
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts was founded as a 501© 3 nonprofit in 2011 and is dedicated to providing arts education programs, community outreach, live performances as well as concerts and all genres of performing arts for the entire community with emphasis on culturally diverse programming for youth and families. The foundation is the support arm for the programming at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater.
BillEdwardsFoundationfortheArts.org
TheMahaffey.com
or call 727.300-2000.