Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts Supports Student Wellness with Mahaffey Class Acts Program
The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts continues its Mahaffey Class Acts education series with How to Survive Middle School, a timely and engaging performance for students in grades 5–8, taking place February 9 at 11:15 AM at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater.
Blending humor, multimedia, and real-life student voices, How to Survive Middle School addresses critical issues facing today’s youth, including bullying, social media pressures, testing anxiety, peer pressure, and mental health. With a 60-minute runtime, the program is designed to be honest, relatable, and impactful for middle school audiences.
Comedian Robert Post, who struggled through middle school due to learning disabilities, uses comedy to build connection and resilience. Through video testimonials, advocacy stories, and Post’s signature humor, the production allows students to hear directly from peers while learning healthy ways to navigate challenges.
Exclusive Executive Roundtable to Convene Founders and CEOs in Orlando for High-Level Growth Strategy Discussion
A select group of founders and CEOs will gather in Orlando for a private, invitation-only Insider’s Executive Roundtable, a confidential peer forum designed to help senior leaders create a multiple six-figure differentiator to land larger corporate contracts.
The roundtable will take place on January 26, 2026, from 1:00–3:00 PM at the National Entrepreneur Center, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando (Fashion Square Mall). Attendance is limited to 13 executives to ensure a focused, high-impact conversation among peers.
This no-fee, no-selling forum is structured around candid, real-world discussion. Participants will exchange insights on what is—and is not—working in corporate sales conversations, while sharpening a clear, high-value market distinction that helps decision-makers engage faster and with greater confidence.
The session will be facilitated by Chala Dincoy, a former Fortune 500 marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience on the corporate buying side. Drawing on her background at global brands including Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Frito-Lay, Diageo, Playtex, and BIC, Dincoy brings a rare insider perspective on how corporate buyers evaluate, select, and engage professional service providers. Her work today supports clients across the U.S. and internationally, advising organizations navigating complex, global markets.
Gasparilla Arts Leads Community Collaboration to Unveil New East Tampa Mural Honoring Women’s History
Gasparilla Arts, in collaboration with community, cultural, and educational partners, will officially unveil a new public mural honoring the women who have shaped East Tampa’s history during a free community celebration on January 22.
The mural is located at the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa’s Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center, at 1907 E. Hillsborough Avenue. It will be celebrated with an on-site unveiling event from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend, and RSVP is encouraged.
Spearheaded by Gasparilla Arts as part of its ongoing commitment to public art, cultural storytelling, and community engagement, the project represents a true collaboration from concept to completion. The mural was designed by acclaimed artist Michelle Sawyer, with historical guidance provided by Fred Hearns of the Tampa Bay History Center, ensuring the artwork authentically reflects East Tampa’s rich legacy.
Epicurean Hotel to Feature 2026 Class of Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts’ Local Artists Spotlight Program
The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (GFA) and Epicurean Hotel are proud to announce a new collaboration celebrating Tampa Bay’s vibrant creative community. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 6:30 8:30 PM, Epicurean Theatre will host an opening reception of a special preview exhibition featuring the 2026 Class of GFA’s Local Artist Spotlight Program.
Supported by a grant from the Gobioff Foundation, the Local Artist Spotlight Program annually recognizes five exceptional Tampa Bay–based artists, awarding each a complimentary booth to exhibit and sell their work at the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, occurring in 2026 on February 28–March 1. Participating artists also receive expanded visibility through GFA’s marketing and social media channels.
St. Pete pon-profit brings the magic of the theater to thousands of students
The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts continues its mission to make live theater accessible to all students through its Class Acts: Youth Field Trip Series — a program that brings thousands of children from across Tampa Bay to The Mahaffey Theater each year for free educational performances.
On Monday, November 10th, Fox 13 cameras captured students arriving for La Maleta de Maebelle (Maebelle’s Suitcase) — a bilingual, one-woman show based on the beloved Reading Rainbow picture book.
The performance features a single actress shifting effortlessly between English and Spanish roles as she tells a touching story of friendship, identity, and belonging. The production highlights the power of language, culture, and storytelling, while underscoring the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and arts accessibility for every child in the community.