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Art Bug Bites South Shore

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Ruskin resident Elizabeth Reza blows watercolors through a straw to create her own artwork.

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: October 21, 2008

Updated:

RUSKIN - The inaugural celebration of Fall Into the Arts was everything organizers wanted it to be - a weekend of art, music, food and fun.

Hosted by the SouthShore Arts Council, the Oct. 10-11 event included the Ruskin Draw-In - the finale to the Big Draw, a month-long offering of art classes.

The idea was to show drawing as a way of building community and, at the same time, offering area residents a means of exploring the world around them in a fresh, creative way.

"We were really excited about what came together," said artist Bruce Marsh, who, along with his partner Dolores Coe, organized and coordinated activities for the Big Draw Studio, where many of the day's activities took place. "What a positive way for people to learn new things and make new friends in a community-wide event."

"This is quite a big deal," said the Rev. Allen Archer of Apollo Beach. "I'm very impressed with the number of young people enthusiastic about art. And all the volunteers - it's wonderful."

Attended by about 500 people, the Draw-In included both indoor and outdoor activities.

Inside the studio, children drew self-portraits and visitors got a chance to see walls filled with art created throughout the Big Draw.

Outside, among a plethora of activities, some made silk-screened T-shirts, others blew watercolors through straws and still others drew chalk art on concrete. A highlight was the unveiling of the first phase of the Ruskin mural that was created by a group of area teenagers under the direction of artist Michael Parker.

The annual South Shore Art Frolic was also part of the weekend.

Taking place at venues in Ruskin and Apollo Beach, it offered residents a chance to view the work of many area artists.

"It went really well," said Beth Howard, owner of the South Shore Gallery and an arts council board member. "About 100 people came through each venue, and the feedback I got was that people were impressed with the quality of the art they saw and the chance they had to talk with the artists."

Capping the weekend was the Pops in the Park concert at E.G. Simmons Park. Attended by about 2,500, the Florida Orchestra performance was a hit.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553.

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