By Kathy Collins
Four local artists were recently honored with the opportunity to have their artwork exhibited at the Amalie Arena in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Fourth Annual Celebration of the Arts. The artwork of Roxanne Tobaison of Seffner, Deborah Biasetti of Riverview, Brigitte Mailahn of Dover and Gunni Nilsson-Price of Brandon were accepted into the prestigious juried show. Their artwork will be on display throughout the 2015-2016 National Hockey League Season.
The Fourth Annual Celebration of the Arts celebrates the Tampa Bay area’s beauty and the talent of the local artists. Artists are asked to submit pieces that visually celebrate Tampa Bay and its people. This year 450 pieces were submitted and only 41 were selected. Proceeds from artwork that is sold during the exhibit go to the artist.
Tobaison, a watercolor artist, had two pieces accepted; Play of Light, University of Tampa and Historic Memories- Italian Club. Tobaison said, “Considering that there were over 450 entries, it is quite an honor to have two pieces accepted into the show by a prestigious panel of judges.”
Last year, Tobaison’s piece, Magnificent Sacred Heart Catholic Church sold during the exhibit.
This was the first year that Biasetti submitted artwork and two of her pieces, Coaching and Bolts at the Arena, were accepted. Both pieces are watercolor. Biasetti said, “It was a great honor to be chosen for the show as there are so many talented artists in the Tampa Bay area.”
Mailahn’s Rescue Cats Golf Tournament was accepted into the show. This was Mailahn’s first time to be accepted into the show.
The Annual Celebration of the Arts accepted paintings, photography, drawing and wall hanging sculptures. Emerging and local artists are invited to submit artwork. Artists interested in submitting artwork next year can visit www.tampabaylightning.com/art in March 2016.
