BuzzWorthy I T E M S O F N O T E
Michael Toner has been named
the new executive director of the
Tampa Museum of Art, as the
Mus eum c e l ebrat e s i t s f i f th
anniversary in its new building.
Susana Weymouth has been
selected as the new executive
director for the Tampa Bay Businesses
for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA)
that unites Tampa Bay businesses
to champion arts, education and
culture. She will focus on building
innovative partnerships to link area
businesses in support of culture and the arts.
Maggie Ciadel la has joined the
Historic Tampa Theatre team as their
new director of annual giving. She has
assumed management of its grant applications
Emmy Award-winning former television news anchor John
Wilson was introduced by former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick
Baker, president of Bill Edwards Entertainment, following a
cocktail reception at The Club at Treasure Island, where John
presented “My Secret Trip to Havana That Got Me and My
Crew Detained by Cuban Authorities,” a talk and film footage
about an unauthorized visit he made there 20 years ago.
and is overseeing its fundraising
events, film series, event sponsorships,
and the theatre’s membership program.
Dr. Zena Lansky and her husband
Warren Rodgers have continued their
philanthropic endeavors by sponsoring
the St. Petersburg Opera performances of
The Barber of Seville and Opera Tampa’s
performances of Madama Butterfly, as
well as co-chairing and sponsoring the
Florida Holocaust Museum’s 2015 “To
Life, To Justice” benefit.
Mindy Solomon announced that the
work of Dominique Labauvie will be
exhibited through April 3rd at the Mindy
Solomon Gallery at 172 NW 24th Street in
Miami. Labauvie, who now lives and
Bi s t ro in S t . Pe t e r sburg
celebrated the restaurant’s 3rd
anniversary with a Mardi Gras
Weekend that featured a
Crawfish Boil, a Second Line
Parade, a Gospel Jazz Brunch
and King Cake. It has also
added a weekly Sunday Jazz
Brunch with specialties such
as Eggs Benedict with Crab
Cakes, Omelette Rockefeller
GRAM
and even Beignets.
Andy Schlauch, executive director
of the Chihuly Collection, announced
that “Italian Traditions,” a temporary
exhibition at the Chihuly Collection
through April 19th, will be curated by
Duncan McClellan and Mary Childs.
It will feature a variety of works by
contemporary glass masters who have
been influenced by traditional glass
blowing techniques.
Carol and Frank Morsaniwere named
Outstanding Citizens of the Year by the
Tampa Metro Civitan Club during the
Governor’s Luncheon at the Florida State
Fairgrounds. They continually give millions
of dollars in donations and provide
leadership to this community that they
love and support. For more than 40 years,
Frank has been known for saying that he
has lived his life in thirds, whereby first
he learned, then he earned and now he is
returning. What a marvelous idea for
everyone.
works in Tampa, is an award-winning
sculptor, whose work is included in public
and private collections worldwide.
Derek Donnelly has been chosen to
paint a mural on the north wall of the St.
Petersburg Museum of History of the
iconic image of the famous postcard,
“Greetings From St. Petersburg,” that
featured various city landmarks in the
word “St. Petersburg.” Donnelly is a
graduate of the Pinellas County Center
for the Arts at Gibbs High School.
Marilyn Ward, the president of the
Florida Suncoast Opera Guild, will celebrate
its 50th anniversary by changing its name
to the St. Petersburg Opera Guild to
reflect the part it plays in the St. Petersburg
Opera Company, as it continues with its
own programs and assists with volunteers.
Salwa Mansour has joined the Straz
Center in Tampa as the media relations
manager of the Center’s PR team.
Ricky Parsons of Ricky P’s Orleans
68 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2015