Graze as you gaze

Sixteen galleries are participating in the fourth annual Taste of the Arts on Saturday in downtown St. Petersburg.

By MARY ANN MARGER

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 12, 2000

[Times photo: ] Patricia Nelson, Armadillo, silver, 10 by 12 by 6 inches, at the Arts Center

Come to your senses -- of sight and taste -- in downtown St. Petersburg on Saturday at the fourth annual Taste of the Arts in showplaces on Central Avenue, Beach Drive and nearby locations.

The event, which augments the arts community's monthly second Saturday gallery walk, offers cuisine from area restaurants so you can graze as you gaze.

Participating are 16 galleries, an art center, two restaurants and an artists studio space. Each has arranged with an area restaurant to offer a sampling of cuisine.

Whatever direction you take, be sure to include the new shows at the Arts Center, including "Figurative Vignettes," three artists of Latin American heritage, curated by Janis Karam Gallo; "Metal Marvels," juried by Tampa Museum of Art director Emily Kass; and "Back to Center," Russ Gustafson-Hilton's latest ceramics.

The event, which lasts from 5:30-9 p.m., is free and open to the public.

The showplaces:

1. 531 Central Fine Arts, 531 Central Ave.; (727) 822-2787: "Food for Thought," show of emerging national and local artists, through June 7. Restaurant: National Distributing (wine tasting).

2. EastWest Gallery, 529 Central Ave.; (727) 823-9629: Grand opening includes works by Kathy Iwanowski and Bill Renc. Restaurant: Bruno's in the City.

3. Ambiance Galleries, 1535 Ninth Street N; (727) 821-8331: Group show includes Christine Peloquin, Herbert Davis, Allison Massari, Jack Barrett, through June 9. Under new ownership. Restaurant: Ambrosia.

4. The Arts Center, 719 Central Ave.; (727) 822-7872: Three new shows include poignant paintings, magnificent metalwork and sincere ceramics, through June 30. Restaurant: Native Seafood.

5. ArtSpace, 10 Fifth St. N; (727) 360-0900: Open studio tour includes Betsy Lester, Rebecca Skelton, Wilson Hasty and in the lobby, Hani Sidler. Restaurant: Globe Coffee House.

6. Crystal Mirage Gallery, 800 Second Ave. NE; (727) 895-1166: Southwest artist Andreas Goff. Restaurant: Cafe Lido at the Pier.

7. Davidson Fine Art, 725 Central Ave.; (727) 827-1888: San Francisco artist David Singer, a founder of the 1960's psychedelic art movement. Restaurant: Rare Olive.

8. Florida Craftsmen Gallery, 501 Central Ave.; (727) 821-7391: Creative clay's ARTLINK exhibition pairing community artists with developmentally challenged students, through June 30. Restaurants: The Garden, Redwoods and Haiku Sushi.

9. Fusion Gallery, 540 Central Ave.; (727) 894-7271: Mixed media artist BASK and graffiti artist Lenny Mace, through June 28. Restaurant: Grand Finale.

10. The Garden Restaurant, 217 Central Ave.; (727) 896-3800: Artwork of Antonio Caparello. Restaurant: The Garden.

11. Glass Canvas Gallery, 233 Fourth Ave. NE; (727) 821-6767: "World of Studio Glass," through July 31. Restaurant: Marchand's Bar and Grill (Vinoy).

12. Grand Finale Restaurant and Gallery, 1101 First Ave. N; (727) 823-9921: "The Jazz Series," abstract paintings by James Powers. Restaurant: Grand Finale.

13. Heavenly Things, 216 First Ave. N; (727) 822-8938: Raku pottery by Don Williams. Restaurant: Tangelo's Grill.

14. Merrick Gallery, 330 Beach Dr. NE; (727) 896-2787: Closing night of exhibition of four New York artists. Restaurant: Haiku Sushi.

15. Red Cloud Indian Arts, 208 Beach Dr. NE; (727) 821-5824: Featuring Mary Ginter, Southwest abstract artist. Restaurant: Courtside Cafe.

16. Shapiro Studio & Gallery, 538 Central Ave.; (727) 894-2111: Yard Art Show, art suitable for patio, yard and garden, through May 31. Restaurant: Judy's.

17. Soho South Gallery, 2105 Central Ave.; (727) 822-2280: The artists of Kenwood. Restaurant: Extra Inning Baseball Cafe.

18. Studio Szabries, 2109 Central Ave.; (727) 895-2444: Opening of retrospective of photographer Ken Chandler, through June 9. Restaurant: Soho Java Cafe.

19. Szilage Gallery at 145, 145 Third St. N; (727) 896-5504: "8 x 10," 10 artists each show eight 8 by 10's. Restaurant: Fettuccini's.

20. Thomas Kinkade Beach Drive Gallery, 202 Beach Dr. NE; (727) 823-1011: Romantic landscapes by Thomas Kinkade. Restaurant: Julian's.