After 25 years in Tampa’s historic Ybor City, Hoffman Porges Gallery will move to Apollo Beach under the new name, Home Port Gallery. The gallery will be located at 6170 U.S. Hwy 41 in the Winn Dixie shopping Center in Apollo Beach and will open on Saturday, March 15.
Jill Scott, the gallery owner said, “I owned Hoffman Porges for three years and I sincerely had a fantastic experience. The memories will make me smile for the rest of my life.” Scott, who purchased and opened Hoffman Porges three years ago, added, “Even though I owned the name, it was never really mine. With the new gallery, I wanted to start fresh with something that I created myself.”
Home Port Gallery will provide the same customer service and quality professional picture framing. Scott said, “We plan to continue our worldwide quest to find unusual artwork, jewelry and other unique and fun things. As always, our prices will remain fair and at least 20 percent below other framing establishments.”
Scott plans to focus on custom framing and specialty frames such as shadow boxes. “That’s truly my passion and I’m very good at it,” said Scott. She explained that her love of custom framing and art is something that she has shared with her husband for 30 years.
Scott said, “Each time we moved, whether to England, Germany or Kansas, the first thing we set up was the framing equipment. Framing is something we can do together. This new gallery is a dream come true. I live within three miles of the store and I can do what I love with the man I love.”
Scott plans to have regular events at Home Port Gallery. On the first Friday of each month from 5-8 p.m., she will offer complimentary wine tasting with light hors d’oeuvres. They will also feature a short overview of some aspect of art and art preservation. In addition, the gallery will host themed exhibits or feature an artist on a quarterly basis.
A grand opening celebration is in the works. Scott hopes to hold it on Friday, April 4. For more information, please visit www.hpartgallery.com or call 247-2000.
