“We have nine of these a year, and this one is specific for STEAM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math,” stated Katrina Young, education and outreach coordinator with Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts.

It’s an enriching experience that combines education and enjoyment all thanks to the support of the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts.

“We loved doing what we’re doing here,” Young exclaimed. “We serve about 25,000 students a year at the Foundation through the class Act program.”

The foundation provides arts education programs, community outreach, and live performances across all genres of performing arts.

“Arts in general teach students so many things,” Young explained. “They help students be well-rounded in many different ways, from expressing themselves, having confidence, and even learning to think with both sides of their brains.”

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Terri Hall founder and CEO of Doubletake Marketing & PR in St Petersburg, FL was named Board Chair of the WBDC (Women’s Business Development Council of Florida)  headquartered in Miami, Florida. The regional organization serves women business owners throughout the state of Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands via certification, business opportunities and resources, and corporate sponsorship connections.

Hall has served on the board for over 10+ years and is pleased to serve as Board Chair.

“I have a strong affinity for women in business whose contributions to our economy are plentiful. The WBDC provides resources to women business owners throughout Florida, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands and as a regional partner of WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) nationally,” said Terri Hall, Board Chair. “With over 1,000 certified women-owned businesses in our region, I am pleased to work with our dynamic board and staff to continue our growth and strengthen our corporate connections with business owners to realize the value of the WBENC network.”

“We are so honored to have Terri as our Board Chair.  She brings experience and expertise as well as extra sensitivity and knowledge of our target market because she is a certified woman business owner,” said Nancy G. Allen, President & CEO of the WBDC of Florida.

Hall’s firm (Doubletake Marketing & PR)  has been a WBENC Certified business since 2006. To date her firm has forged ongoing business relationships with over 28+ businesses throughout the state (and country) as a result of being active in the WBDC of Florida and WBENC national network.

About Terri Hall
As a WBENC certified woman-owned business, Terri is a champion of causes that advance women personally and professionally. She is a member and currently board chair of the WBEC Florida, regional partner of WBENC (WBDC of Florida)  and also serves on the Board of the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Terri is an active volunteer in planning, promotional and fundraising activities for the arts  and other not for profit cultural initiatives. In 2021, she was the 2021 Luekemia & Lymphoma Society Mission Award Winner and the 2021 LLS Woman of the Year Runner Up for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Throughout her 24+ year career she has been awarded numerous ADDY, Hermes, Muse and Gold Ring Awards (over 35+) for excellence in creativity in marketing & advertising. Terri is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a degree in Mass Communications and Advertising.

About  WBDC of Florida/WBEC Florida:
The Women’s Business Development Council of Florida became a regional partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) over twenty years ago. The mission of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council Florida is to certify, champion and
connect women-owned businesses. Founded in 1993, the organization provides guidance,
connections, tools and resources throughout most of the state of Florida as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. WBEC Florida is one of the 14 regional partner organizations of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), which has certified more than 17,000 companies as women-owned business enterprises nationwide.

About Doubletake
Founded in 1999 in Tampa as an Advertising Design Studio that produced a variety of printed promotional materials for Local, Regional and National businesses. The studio won numerous national, regional and local awards for creativity and design for clients such as: Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, M&M Mars Southeastern Division, WBENC, WBDC of Florida, MOSI, Lowry Park Zoo and Vetoquínol USA.

Today, the firm  has expanded to a full-fledged Marketing and Public Relations Agency serving corporations and businesses such as AAA, Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, VUSE,  BJ Wholesale Clubs, Smashburger, M&M Mars, WBENC, WBDC of Florida, PACE Theatrical Group and Goodwill Industries. The agency is now located at The Poynter Institute in St Petersburg, FL.

Bill Edwards, Founder & CEO of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts and Big 3 Entertainment Inc. who manages the Mahaffey Theater, has been named to the Board of Directors at Imagine Museum. Recently Edwards has collaborated with Imagine Museum Founder, Trish Duggan to exhibit 3D glass art as well as 2D art in the gallery space throughout the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg.

Edwards has been a long-standing, iconic figure in the St Petersburg community. He’s been involved in numerous projects throughout the past 20+ years that continue to help foster the arts, clean up crime, develop the city as well as owning and running a professional soccer team.

“I am honored to serve on the Board of the Imagine Museum. Our mission and goals align which makes this an ideal partnership. Both of our entities want to elevate arts awareness through performances, exhibitions, education and engagement,” said Bill Edwards. “I enjoy collaborating with the museum board to see what we can all do together in the community to showcase art visually, through performance as well as through the culinary arts. We want to inspire others to learn more and experience comprehensive sensory experiences.”

The opportunity to work with Imagine Museum is a natural fit for Edwards who sees this as an additional opportunity toward strengthening the community as a beacon for the arts and further elevating St Petersburg. Patrons and the public can view art throughout the lobby and second floor area as a gallery where the art is offered for sale – making this a sensory experience to explore and take in arts among several mediums.

“I am thrilled to have Bill Edwards join our Board of Directors at Imagine Museum! He is an astute businessman, a good friend and a pillar of the St. Pete community,” said Trish Duggan, Imagine Museum Founder, philanthropist, artist and business woman. “I’m impressed and inspired by his magnificent vision to elevate the arts in St. Pete by bringing performing, visual and culinary arts together under one roof at the Mahaffey Theater and Sonata Restaurant. We both agree on the importance of art to uplift, inspire and educate our world.”

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.
727.300-2000.

About Imagine Museum (https://www.imaginemuseum.com/) –
Founded in 2018,  the IMAGINE Museum (https://www.imaginemuseum.com/) began as a vision from founder, Trish Duggan. The museum features a large collection of contemporary glass art from around the world, whose mission is to exhibit artworks and create an experience that would inspire, uplift and educate. As a glass artist herself, Duggan believed that glass and its properties would provide such an experience. Located at 1901 Central Avenue in St Petersburg, FL visit https://www.imaginemuseum.com/ for more info.

 

Photo by Bill DeYoung

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.