Gasparilla Arts Names Selection Jurors for 2027 Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
Gasparilla Arts has named four arts professionals to serve as Selection Jurors for the 57th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in 2027, bringing together curators, educators, and a practicing artist to help shape the lineup for the nationally recognized juried festival.
The 2027 Selection Jury includes Noah Cox, assistant curator at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; Ola Wlusek, curator of modern and contemporary art at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Jocelyn Boigenzahn, director of College Galleries at the University of Tampa; and Anat Pollack, assistant professor of art at the University of South Florida and a practicing artist.
The jurors will review hundreds of applications, evaluating artistic excellence, originality, and technical merit to determine which artists will be invited to exhibit at the 2027 festival at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa. Last year, Gasparilla Arts received the greatest number of applications since 2020, reflecting the festival’s continued national reach and the significance of the jury process in shaping the experience for artists, collectors, and visitors.
Gasparilla Arts Introduces New Brand Identity Reflecting Expanded Year-Round Mission
After more than five decades of producing one of the nation’s premier juried fine arts festivals, the organization behind the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is introducing a new brand identity that reflects its evolution into a year-round nonprofit dedicated to advancing the visual arts throughout the Tampa Bay region.
Known for its nationally recognized Festival each spring, Gasparilla Arts’ work continues long after the tents come down. Throughout the year, the nonprofit invests in scholarships for emerging artists, supports public art and mural projects, expands arts education, and fosters partnerships that strengthen the region’s creative community.
The refreshed identity establishes Gasparilla Arts as the organization’s umbrella brand, unifying its year-round programs and initiatives while preserving the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts as its signature annual event and one of the nation’s premier outdoor fine arts festivals.
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts Presents Disney’s Descendants: The Musical on the Mahaffey Stage
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts will present Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, performed by students from its fourth annual Summer Musical Theater Camp, during two public performances on Friday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 25, at 3:30 p.m. on the Mahaffey Theater stage.
Now in its fourth year, the Foundation’s Summer Musical Theater Camp provides students with professional instruction in acting, singing, dancing, and stage performance while encouraging creativity, teamwork, and self-confidence. The multi-week program culminates in a fully staged musical production, giving participants the opportunity to perform before a live audience on one of the region’s premier performing arts stages.
Based on Disney’s popular film franchise, Disney’s Descendants: The Musical tells the story of the teenage children of Disney’s most iconic heroes and villains as they discover that their choices, not their family legacy, shape who they become. The production features well-known songs, energetic choreography, and a cast of talented young performers from across the Tampa Bay area.
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts Launches “10 for Tomorrow” Capital Campaign to Establish Community Arts Center in South St. Petersburg
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts announced the launch of its “10 for Tomorrow” Capital Campaign, an initiative to acquire and transform a property in South St. Petersburg into the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts Community Arts Center, a new performing arts and education hub dedicated to youth, creativity, and community opportunity, with a goal of $10 million.
The campaign comes at a pivotal moment for the organization. Bill Edwards and his organization, Big 3, will be concluding their management of the Mahaffey Theater at approximately the end of May. The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts will continue the city’s Class Acts program at the Mahaffey Theater and, in addition, expand its mission to provide arts education opportunities for children throughout the Tampa Bay region.
The proposed Community Arts Center will serve as the Foundation’s permanent home and a vibrant destination for year-round programming. The facility will expand access to the arts while creating a dynamic pipeline connecting neighborhood participation with professional performance opportunities…
Bev Jennings of SEE Company Inc. Named Among ‘Top 50 Women Leaders of Jacksonville’ by Women We Admire
Bev Jennings, Founder & CEO of SEE Company Inc., has been selected as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Jacksonville by Women We Admire, a national organization that recognizes accomplished women executives across major metropolitan areas for their leadership, impact, and professional excellence.
Jennings joins an esteemed group of 50 women recognized for their ability to lead with purpose and deliver results in complex, high-impact environments. Through her work as Founder & CEO of SEE Company Inc., Jennings has built a respected platform focused on leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and a commitment to helping individuals and organizations “See Everyone Elevate®.”
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.