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Artists aim to please the people

By MARY ANN MARGER, Times Art Critic

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 14, 2000

A POLL APART -- Give the public what they like, said Russian emigre artists Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid. They commissioned a polling firm to conduct "The People's Choice," thus taking high-low art to a new high. See the results in a show at the Ringling Museum of Art today through June 4, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Admission is $9 adults, $8 seniors (55 and older), free for children 12 and younger and for Florida students and teachers with ID. Tickets include access to the entire complex, though Ringling's home is closed while under restoration; that portion of the ticket is valid for a return trip. The museum is at 5401 Bay Shore Road in Sarasota (off U.S. 41); admission to the art museum only is free on Saturdays. Call (941) 351-1660 (recording) or (941) 359-5723, or check the Web site, http://www.ringling.org.

ART FOR LIFE AUCTION -- For the ninth year, the Tampa AIDS Network holds its popular Art for Life Auction, with works donated by area, national and student artists. Last year's auction raised more than $221,000, despite hurricane postponement. The action begins at 6 p.m. at the Tampa Convention Center. Tickets are $30 in advance through Ticketmaster, (813) 287-8844 or http://www.ticketmaster.com; $35 at door. (813) 914-8888.

NEW YORK TO ST. PETE -- In a departure from its usual shows of leading bay area artists, Merrick Gallery brings in a curated exhibit of four from New York: Don DeMauro, Julie Harvey, Susan Kaprov and Anna Lascari. Curator Samantha Francisco introduces the show at 6:30 tonight followed by a reception from 7 to 9. See the exhibit through May 13 during gallery hours, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Free. 330 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg; (727) 896-2787.

TREZEVANT -- Peg Trezevant, last year's best of show winner at the University of South Florida's annual student art exhibition, holds a reception for her show, "Caesura," at the USF Teaching Gallery, at 5:30-8 p.m. today. The show runs through April 25. While there, take the short hike to this year's student show now at the USF Contemporary Art Museum. Stop at campus information booth off Fowler Avenue, Tampa, for map and parking permit, $2. The shows are free. (813) 974-2301.

MULLAN -- More from USF, via Covivant Gallery: Senior Brian Mullan augments his show of prints and sculpture with performances at 8:45 p.m. during receptions from 8 to 10 p.m. today and April 28. The show runs through April 30 from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free. Covivant is at 4906 N Florida Ave., Tampa. (813) 232-1267.

Around the nation

O'Keeffe on Paper, National Gallery of Art, Washington, through July 9. Georgia O'Keeffe did some of her most innovative work in watercolor, pastel and charcoal. (202) 737-4215 or online at http://www.nga.gov.

Fame game

Lutz artist Susan Livingston won best of show at the Lake Wales Art Show on March 25.

Opportunities for artists

Artists About Town, Main Street, Safety Harbor; May 6. Artists (any age, including children) register under the gazebo ($5) and set up outdoor studios for the day. Presented by Safety Harbor Public Art Committee. Judging, prizes, option to sell. (727) 723-8185.

Gulfport Spring Festival, Beach Boulevard, Gulfport; April 22. Outdoor show in conjunction with youth festival, business showcase and antique car expo. Miki Vaughan, Gulfport Arts Council, P.O. Box 5153, Gulfport, FL 33737; (727) 321-5705.

E-mail: marger@sptimes.com

28 DAYS CUTS

It's off to the Serenity Glen rehab center for Gwen after she tops off her sister's wedding day by crashing a limo into a house in 28 Days.

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