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Letter to the editor

'Cuba' meets museum's mission

The show features three views of the island nation.

By JANET ZINK Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2007

Six years ago, attorney Charles Levin hatched a plan to open a photography museum that would spark conversation about differing cultures.

This week, the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts launched a show that does just that with "Cuba," an exhibit that showcases three professional artists and snapshots from the local Cuban community.

It's the first show in the museum's new space downtown on Jackson Street between Tampa Street and Ashley Drive.

"It's a huge step for us," said the museum's executive director Joanne Milani.

The museum is renting the space in a converted deli. It's the museum's third location, having been forced to move twice by landlords. It's the largest yet with more than 3,000 square feet, three galleries and a classroom.

In addition to offering more local artwork, the new space will allow the Photographic Arts museum to step in and help the Tampa Museum of Art continue its programming while it occupies temporary space during the construction of a new building.

Already, the photography museum's current show includes works by Maria Martinez-Canas from the art museum's permanent collection.

Cuban-born Martinez-Canas uses photographs in collages inspired by old Cuban postage stamps. The show also includes work by Florida nature photographer Clyde Butcher.

"The photography museum is a wonderful asset to our community and the cultural fabric of downtown Tampa," said Ken Rollins, interim executive director of the Tampa Museum of Art.

Although the photography museum is growing quickly - it has more than 500 members - it's still in search of a permanent location, Milani said.

And like any arts institution, community financial support is key.

The photography museum is hosting its first annual fundraiser 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 27 on the second floor of Neiman Marcus at International Plaza.

Tickets are $50 per person in advance and $60 at the door. The evening includes wine, hors d'oeuvres, live music and auctions of nature photography.

Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or 813 226-3401.

If you go

Picturing Cuba

The "Cuba" exhibit runs through Nov. 10.

Where: The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 200 N Tampa St.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Admission: There is a suggested donation of $4.

For more information: Go to www.fmopa.org or call (813) 221-2222.

[Last modified September 20, 2007, 07:39:33]