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The Navigator

Just a few words about pictures

By RICK GERSHMAN
Published September 15, 2006

They say a picture's worth a thousand words.

Judging from my paycheck, a thousand words are worth about, oh, $1.69.

So by my logic, that's all a picture's really worth: about the price of a cheeseburger.

You'll be pleased to know that the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts begs to differ.

If the name's not familiar, there's good reason. For its first five years, the not-for-profit venue was the Tampa Gallery of Photographic Arts, in Old Hyde Park Village.

Today, it opens with its new name in new downtown digs and a new exhibition, Aaron Siskind's "A Harlem Document 1932-1940." Tonight's grand opening reception runs from 5 to 8.

The museum's new home, a little more spacious than its last, is at 200 N Tampa St., Suite 120. That's in the Bank of America building, across from the Hyatt Regency hotel.

The museum is open for public viewing Tuesdays through Saturdays, with Sundays reserved for seminars and lectures.

Museum officials said the move had nothing to do with Old Hyde Park Village, which has lost foot traffic in recent years and is undergoing a massive redevelopment.

"Hyde Park was absolutely fabulous," museum manager Jessica Ivey said. "We wanted to have a permanent home, to ground ourselves and grow some roots.

"Downtown Tampa is in the process of rejuvenating itself, and we wanted something there dedicated purely to photographs."

The new venue gives some needed recognition to photography, she said. "I think it's one of those arts that is taken for granted."

So that's the deal.

And as for me, I'm up to about 300 words, so I can almost afford a Diet Pepsi.

Wait - not yet. After that paragraph I still needed 25 more words.

Shoot, at the end of this sentence I'm still one word short.

(Slurp!)

Rick Gershman can be reached at rgershman@sptimes.com or 226-3431. His Times blog, the Ill Literate, is at www.sptimes.com/blogs/tampaarts.

IF YOU GO

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts opens tonight at its new location, 200 N Tampa St., Suite 120. Opening reception is from 5 to 8. Regular hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Suggested donation is $2. Call 221-2222.

[Last modified September 14, 2006, 10:31:29]