By Kathy Collins
The Brandon League of Fine Arts (BLFA) is a group of local artists and patrons who support the appreciation and creation of the arts in Brandon and throughout Hillsborough County. Members of BLFA have a unique opportunity to exhibit their work in a variety of venues.
One of those venues is within the halls of Bay Area Cardiology located at 635 Eichenfeld Dr. in Brandon. Members can hang their art here for up to three months. The artwork is viewed by a variety of people, and when it is sold, 100 percent of the proceeds goes to the artist.
For the last 10 years, Marsha Nelson, a long time member of BLFA, has been the chairperson of this project. As her long tenure comes to an end, long time member Roxanne Tobaison will take over the duties.
Nelson, a photographer said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for artists to show their work and have it seen by a lot of people.” Tobaison said, “This is a great example of how the community and a group of artists can work together in a mutually beneficial way.”
In addition to offering the exhibit space, Bay Area Cardiology also funds two “From The Heart” Awards for the Annual Member Show. In fact, Bay Area Cardiology was itself awarded with the Greatest Corporate Contribution Award back in 2011 at the 8th Annual Brush Strokes Awards For Excellence In The Arts.
The opportunity to exhibit work at the Brandon location of Bay Area Cardiology and at their Riverview location is open to all members of BLFA. Lynn Carlson, an employee of Bay Area Cardiology and the one who coordinates the exhibits said, “It is nice to have the exhibits. Patients often comment on how nice it is to see so many different paintings.”
The BLFA has been serving artists, art lovers and art advocates since 1959. They meet on the first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Center Place of Brandon located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon. For more information, visit www.blfa.us and www.bayareacardiology.net.
