The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

Yes! This is a real place, not some fictitious hallucination you have dreamed up in your undoubtedly excited encephalon. FMoPA, as it is warmly known, resides right here in downtown Tampa. A museum dedicated to photography as a fine art. 

Often I find myself standing up for little ol' Tampa, sometimes even against myself. It's hard to find the excitement here. Our downtown knows only 9:00a-5:00p Monday through Friday, and most all of the buildings are assumed law offices, banks, the casing of cubicles, etc. FMoPA sits quietly on the corner of Ashley and Jackson in suite 130. Hell, it's got a big window that stretches along Jackson Avenue with banners of current exhibitions, opportunities to take classes, and the benefits of being a member. 

I've been working for FMoPA roughly a year now, and I felt it only proper to say a little something about this place in my blog. I truly love the home that I have made for myself at FMoPA. I teach children's workshops, and help run the office of the museum. Working for such a small non-profit organization like this has really taught me the hard work that goes into such a spot as this. 

As an art student I am surrounded by people looking for the culture in Tampa. Often people find themselves crossing over the bridge to St. Pete in search for artistic entertainment, but we must be reminded that things aren't so bad in our own backyards. Currently we have "Twice Exposed: Photographic and Print Works from the Permanent Collection of the USF Contemporary Art Museum". Showcasing artists like Vik Muniz, Robert Rauschenberg, and Chuck Close just to name a few. Robert Rauschenberg, people!! If you are uneducated on how this man has impacted the art world, please... take a minute to reflect. (For more info on Rauschenberg click here) For such a contemporary exhibition I was really expecting a younger crowd.

Where are the hipsters, the twenty-somethings, the avant-garde? Consider me disappointed. 

This show is up through January 10th. I apologize for not having this up here sooner, but I encourage you to come and see for yourself. Don't give up on Tampa!

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

200 North Tampa Street

Suite 130

Tampa, Florida 33602

813.221.2222

www.fmopa.org

Vik Muniz: Double Mona Lisa (Peanut Butter and Jelly)*

Chuck Close: Self-portrait*

Robert Rauschenberg: from Dante's Inferno Suite

* These images aren't specific works currently on display at FMoPA, just a fun few I found on the interwebs.

Happy Christmas!

Noël Heureux!

Potentially Paris

It looks like I'll be studying, for the month of June, in Paris. I may even spend a stint of time (the first week of July) in Florence. As the time comes closer I'm trying to prepare myself. I'd love to learn French, but I really haven't been putting strong efforts into doing so. I plan to explore the city and soak in as much as I can, from there I'll wing the rest.

I'm anticipating the fact that I may run off while in Europe and do some serious 'sploring. I would like to get a job out there to support my habits (eating, drinking, living, etceteras). I want to do so much!

It looks like this may be my home while in Paris.

Any questions, comments, or concerns are greatly appreciated.

Above is an image by contemporary, French, photographer Cathy Cat-Rastler. I really dig what she's about!

If I've perked your curiosity, here's a bit more on her. 

time travel

When I was in Austin, Tx. These kids were looking to hitch a ride to Washington State. I wish I had my car in Texas. They were good people, and I hope that they're doing well now. Safe travels Tori, James, Zombieface, and (I forget the other puppy's name).

new post, new work, new post, new work, new post, new work

Currency: 2012

One day we'll wake up. The paper peels back to reveal the truth, the tangible. I can eat the corn, it will fill my belly. I can trade the corn, you've got the cloth to clothe my skin. It will keep me warm. We'll share our stories of the struggles we've had, and how the worth of our spoils all out weigh the wear on our bones.

Know your neighbors, make new friends.




This is a sculptural ceramic piece that I made as a commentary on the current economic "crisis". I really enjoyed the scraffito process. I would like to turn this into a series, perhaps with some soft sculptural pieces. Soft sculpture really tickles my heart.

After working in ceramics I have a great deal of respect for some of the artists who make this a concentration. Clay is a tricky medium, constantly changing and warping (much like wood). It's the artist's job to work with the clay, and not to try and defy the clay. It's a beautiful relationship, and can produce some amazing pieces. I'm still new to the whole thing, but I look forward to future creations!

photo senselessness

I would like to take this time to apologize for slacking. With a name like photo senselessness I should really be packing this page to the limits with photos. I hope my apologies are received well, but if not here is a token of my sincerity. Please accept it as a gift on my goof.