This fall, the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery at the University of Tampa celebrates their 40th anniversary with a special exhibition from the University’s permanent collection with the inaugural Art on the Boulevard cocktail party and silent auction fundraiser.
Beginning Aug.18th through Sept. 23, the UT Permanent Collection: 40th Anniversary Show will display highlights from the last 40 years of creativity by notable alumni, current and former faculty members.
The exhibition highlights unique works by internationally and nationally renowned contemporary artists including Judy Chicago, Salvador Dali, Audrey Flack, Sam Gilliam, Robert Rauschenberg and Miriam Shapiro. Some pieces were created on campus while others came to the University as donations.
This 40th-anniversary celebration includes an opening reception Friday, Aug. 25, from 7–9 p.m., where light refreshments will be served followed by a closing party Saturday, Sept. 23, from 7–10 p.m., when the gallery will host Art on the Boulevard.
Each year at this event, the University honors one of the gallery’s largest supporters. This year’s honoree is Joe Testa-Secca. Joe was instrumental in the creation of the gallery 40 years ago. Joe's vision and drive helped shape the Fine Arts program at UT.
A member of the class of 1950, Testa-Secca returned to UT for a 30-year tenure eventually rising to chair of the art department and on to chairman of the division of Fine Art.
Testa-Secca believed it was vital for the art department to have an exhibition space, which would serve as both a place for students to share and celebrate their work with the public and for students and the public to meet and experience the work of renowned national and international contemporary artists.
“Testa-Secca worked diligently with other members of the art department, such as Gil Demeza, Harold Nosti and Lew Harris, and with the support of architect Lee Scarfone, Douglas and Maureen Cohn and many other donors this vision became a reality,” said Boigenzahn.
The Details
- Tickets are $40 for one attendee and $100 for two.
- Each ticket includes an annual membership to the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery.
- The two-ticket package also includes a special-edition 2018 Friends of the Gallery print made by Chris Valle, chair of the Department of Art and Design.
- Tickets must be purchased in advance.
- All Art on the Boulevard ticket sales and auction proceeds will support the gallery’s exhibitions and educational programming.
- Proceeds will also count toward the gallery’s 40th Anniversary Year Challenge Grant.
A generous local donor has challenged the friends and patrons of the gallery to raise $15,000 by the end of 2017 and pledges to match all funds raised, dollar for dollar, up to $15,000.
“All that the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery does for UT students and the Tampa Bay community is made possible because of our loyal friends and supporters,” said Jocelyn Boigenzahn, gallery director. “Their generosity makes it possible for us to bring nationally and internationally recognized artists and their work here for our students to study and our community to explore. We are grateful to our anonymous donor for investing in the gallery in a way that encourages others to deepen their support.”
Mark your calendars today and plan to join our community in support of this milestone anniversary for the Scarfone.Hartley Gallery at the University of Tampa. If you have never visited this unique art gallery in Tampa, we invite you to stop in for what is always an enjoyable experience. Find the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery and the R.K. Bailey Arts Studios at 310 N. Boulevard. Hours are Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays: 1-4 p.m Register on 813area to stay connected to the Arts in Tampa as well as fun things to do and top events in Tampa. (Photos from UT Social Media)
