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Big Draw To End On Musical Note

Photo by BRUCE MARSH

Students taking classes from artist Michael Parker at the Big Draw Studio in Ruskin show off their practice work in preparation for the real Ruskin mural that will be drawn on the wall of the old Clark’s Furniture building as part of the Big Draw-In Oct. 11. From left are Allison Way; Sandy Council; Jeanine Tatlock; Kayla Leger; Dave Bush; Kathleen Estep; Gianna Morton; Louis Hernandez; Tom Morton; Parker; Anthony Marra; and Nina Tatlock.

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By LOIS KINDLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 23, 2008

Updated:

RUSKIN - Big things are scheduled for South Shore residents the weekend of Oct. 11-12.

That's when the community will celebrate Fall into the Arts, which highlights art, music, food, fun and fellowship.

"What we want people to know is that the arts are alive in South Shore," said Steve Stancil, president of the SouthShore Arts Council, event sponsor. "We want everyone to come out and enjoy all the events and show the world that South Shore is a wonderful place to live."

To kick things off, the ongoing Ruskin Big Draw will reach its finale - the Big Draw-In - with a day of free activities on Saturday.

At the Big Draw Studio, 613 U.S. 41 N., classes for children registered for the SouthShore Regional Library's Creative Artists and Expressive Artists Big Draw programs will take place at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., followed by another outside for drop-ins later in the afternoon.

Volunteers from VSA of Florida arts are scheduled to bring in wheelchairs equipped for painting and drawing to do a project on the concrete slab next to the old Clark's Furniture building. The nonprofit organization helps people with disabilities take part in the arts.

"It is very important for VSA of Florida arts to showcase the impact of the arts and how people with disabilities can participate with the use of assistive technology," said Marian Winters, executive director.

The Tampa Museum of Art will host art classes throughout the day, and children from Community Stepping Stones, a nonprofit group dedicated to providing education, mentorship and enrichment to children living in Tampa's Sulphur Springs neighborhood, will demonstrate silk-screening and be making T-shirts.

The highlight of the day will be the presentation of the completed 110-by-20 mural, a collaborative effort of the 15 to 20 teens taking classes with artist Michael Parker at the Big Draw Studio. The mural will be drawn on the south wall of the Clark's Furniture building.

Funding for the mural was provided by the Community Foundation of Greater Sun City Center, which donated $12,045 to cover production costs and $2,100 for classes taught to children in Wimauma and families at Camp Bayou.

A list of classes, events and times will be available soon at www.southshoreartscouncil.com. All materials are supplied.

Fall Into The Arts - Day Two

On Sunday, the annual SouthShore Art Frolic will take place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the following venues:

• South Shore Gallery, 447 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach

• Southern Grace, 301 U.S. 41 S., Ruskin

• Harriet's Flowers, 226 College Ave. W., Ruskin

• SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin

• Big Draw Studio, 613 U.S. 41 N., Ruskin

• Century 21 Beggins Enterprises, 6542 U.S. 41 N., Apollo Beach

• Wilhelm Heating & Air Conditioning, 802 Fourth St. S.W., Ruskin

Each venue will feature artists showing the depth and diversity of what they produce.

The month-long celebration will culminate with the Pops in the Park concert from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at E.G. Simmons Park.

The community foundation shelled out $50,000 to bring about 65 members of the Florida Orchestra to perform a free, pop- and classical-music concert. Concert-goers are asked to bring a boxed or canned food item to donate.

"It's a grand way to culminate a month-long celebration of the arts in the community," said arts council member Suzanne Prach.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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