Social Seens... Photography by Gram
Imagine Museum Gala
The annual Fire and Light Gala “Illumination” was held at the Imagine Museum on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, that is
dedicated to contemporary American studio glass. The museum has more than 600 pieces of glass created by more than 60 artists
who are integral to the development of this medium as a fine art form.
Imagine Museum founder Trish Duggan
and Jane Buckman, the museum’s deputy
director, are proud of the museum’s
achievements during its first year of
operation and have produced a beautiful
book about the museum.
This cast glass sculpture will be on
display at the Imagine Museum until
December 31st. LaMonte developed her
exhibit while residing in Kyoto, Japan,
where she studied aspects of the kimono,
from weaving and construction to
ceremonial functions and historic meanings.
This piece is from American artist
Karen LaMonte’s “Floating World” exhibit,
which includes sculpture, drawings, prints
and site installation that explores themes of
presence and absence, beauty and briefness
through the physicality of the human body
and its environment.
Hearts for the Arts Gala
162 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MARCH/APRIL 2019
Photography by Carol Dioca
The Hearts for the Arts Gala to benefit the Suncoast Performing Arts Foundation was held at the Central Park Performing Arts
Center in Largo, where lighted hula hoops with floral arrangements created a magical mood, while participants of the center’s
children’s theater programs for which scholarship funds were being raised, entertained guests with selections from Willy Wonka Jr.
and High School Musical. Additional music was provided by the Kettle of Fish Band featuring Robin Swenson, who once performed
with Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. In addition to dinner and dancing, the foundation’s Tonne Awards were presented to
Sue Osborne, Karen Rodowicz and Danielle Noble in recognition of their contributions to the arts.
Betsy Byrd, owner of The Stuffed
Mushroom in Safety Harbor, which catered
the gala, and Rocco Morabito, board
member of Eight O’ Clock Theatre, were
happy to contribute to the gala’s success.
Melanie and John Toppe serve on the board
of Eight O’Clock Theatre at the Central Park
Performing Arts Center in Largo, which
John designed as its architect.
Fran Bartlett and Patty Brundrette were
co-chairs of the Hearts for the Arts Gala in
Largo that raised funds for the Suncoast
Performing Arts Foundation in support
of children’s theater programs.