This Cinco de Mayo Weekend, May 4th-6th

Art Warming -- Artists for the Arts @ WTCA - The first show under new Director Moira Shiver. The emphasis is on unifying local arts and artists. The following artists will be showing: Angelo Piazza, Beth Piazza, Bob Reynolds, Christine Reynolds, Clyde Mc Laughlin, Elio Lopez, Elizabeth Jenness, Greg Latch, Jason Shiver, John Canning, Kerry Vosler, Mishou Sanchez and others. (Samantha?) Churchill and Princess Rashid curate. Opens Friday, May 4th, 6-11 PM. 1906 N. Armenia. Free.
________________________________________________

UT BFA Exit Show - The UT Art Dept BFA's show is up and quite iteresting. I've been there, and will be reviewing it soon in Art Taco's annual student survey. Friday, May 4th is your last chance to see it. Scarfone/Hartley Gallery of Bailey Art Studios @ 310 N. Boulevard, Tampa. Open 10 AM to 4 PM. Free. 
________________________________________________

 Scratch the Surface @ Blue Lucy - For $20 you buy one wooden panel from the gallery, make it into art, and it goes into the show. One hundred artists featured. Saturday, May 5th, @ Blue Lucy Gallery, 653 Central Avenue, St. Pete. No opening hour given, but I'd bet around 7-8 PM.
_________________________________________________

Art on 19th St. @ Singing Stone Gallery - Monthly event with music, jewelry and art. Saturday, May 5th, @ Singing Stone Gallery, 1903 N 19th St. Ybor City, Tampa. 10 AM - 4 PM Free.
________________________________________________

Central Park Stroll @ Polk County Museum of Art - The 12th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition is being held @ 800 E. Palmetto Street Lakeland. Free. Opens Thursday, May 3rd, 5:30-7:30 PM.
_________________________________________________

Narratives; Passages; Perception: Photography  and World Exhibit @ 620 - That's an exhibition title! Large Format multiple exposure photos by Zach Christopher. Runs through May 14th. Free.    
620 1st Ave South. St Pete. Opens 6-9 PM Friday, May 4th.  On Tuesday May 8th, there will be an artist's talk starting at the same location at 7:00 PM.
__________________________________________________

USF MFA Show @ Contemporary Art Museum - MFA candidate's show. I've seen it, and recommend it. It will be reviewed in this space in the annual Student Survey. It is still open through this weekend, do not know the closing date. 3821 Holly Drive, Tampa. Free, but parking is $5.
__________________________________________________

Romare Bearden @ Tampa Museum of Art - Since Museums are well-represented by corporate media reviewers, I never review them, but always go to every show. This Romare Bearden show is a must-see. Eighty of Bearden's works are on display. Over a decade ago we had an African-American Museum here, and it had many extraordinary works, amongst them several by Bearden. Unfortunately, that institution lacked the attendance to survive and was sold to another lucky city. One of our biggest losses in the arts. Seize this chance to see these works while they're here.  @ 120 Gasparilla Plaza, downtown Tampa. Admission is $10.00. Free on Fridays, from 4-8 PM.
___________________________________________________

Coralette Damme's Free Art Friday - Love Art? Low on funds? This is your very rare chance chance to grab some freebies. Free Art Friday is an international movement wherein artists contribute works gratis to people. Works will be sprinkled on Central and 1st Ave N. and 1st Ave S. from Beach Drive to Seventh St. all in St. Pete.
PS.  No matter how tempting, please take just one work!
__________________________________________________

Just received this and am posting it in its entirety.....

  Benefit Auction + Celebration
for our friend, Yasuko Nakamura
Friday, May 4th, 2012
From 6pm to 9pm
at Salt Creek Artworks 

1600 4th Street South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

727.894.2653

Friends, you may have heard that our dear friend Yasuko Nakamura has been diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. She will be back in Florida on April 20 and will be selling her home, pottery studio and belongings in preparation for extensive treatment in Japan.

Please share news of this Benefit Auction + Celebration at Salt Creek Artworks, 1600 4th Street South, St. Petersburg on Friday, May 4 from 6 to 9pm. Yasuko and her family will be in attendance. Please come to offer your love and support and to wish Yasuko a speedy recovery. There will be a great food and cash bar with no admission. All bids and donations are greatly needed and appreciated with 100% of the proceeds going to Yasuko.

Please RSVP and spread the news to our arts community. All are welcome! If you would like to volunteer, please call Steve Olszewski @ 734.657.8637.

We hope to create an uplifting evening for Yasuko and her family. If you know Yasuko, you know what a beautiful soul she is and how loving she is to all. Let's help her begin this next phase of her life with our prayers, love and generosity.

_________________________________________________________