The Straz Center in Tampa not only creates art, but artists as well through their performing arts training programs at the Patel Conservatory.
Courtesy of Visit Florida
By Preston Kifer
Art is something that is very subjective. For a long time, I have struggled to define what exactly art is, only to realize that art is not something that can be labeled.
To me, art is the ineffable, which is why it has such deep roots in activism. Art can be almost anything and it can range so many different topics.
This holds true in Tampa Bay, and over the past few decades the area has exploded not only in population, but in diversity, culture and art.
The Straz Center is a significant addition to Tampa. It opened roughly 35 years ago and has had a tremendous impact.
The Straz Center has been extremely successful in recent years, hosting multiple theatres, all of which are actively used to put on professional productions of plays, musicals, operas, dance recitals and more.
But how does the Straz Center contribute to activism?
The shows that the Straz Center produces tell stories with meaning. These meanings vary, but they typically are related to current issues in society.
In the upcoming season, the Straz Center is putting on “Six,” described as a “celebration of 21st century girl power.” The theatre is also putting on “Jagged Little Pill,” a story shining a light on addiction, sexual assault and family trauma.
Theatre provides a vehicle for people to tell their stories in an open space and bring attention to them. The Straz Center does not only create art, but also artists. Through their school, the Patel Conservatory, they teach young children and adults the ways of the craft.
Art education is perhaps even more important than art itself, because without any artists, no one would be able to produce it –– they are helping create activists for the future.
However, the Straz Center is not the only organization in town contributing to the art and culture of Tampa Bay. The Tampa Museum of Art provides similar services to the Straz Center, but in another form.
The Tampa Museum of Art displays sculptures, statues, ancient artifacts, paintings, exhibits and other forms of art. In this museum, the possibilities for stories and the issues that can be put on display are endless.
Similar to the Straz Center, they also hold events for students where they can show off their talents and make their voices heard.
However, it is important to recognize that these forms of art are not always accessible to everyone. Sometimes art can become elitist, but art belongs to the masses.
This can be exemplified by street art. Street art is extremely popular in this area. If you go to St. Petersburg or downtown Tampa, it won’t be long before you find a mural painted on the side of a building.
These paintings can be simple creative expressions, or they can highlight specific issues. Whichever they are, they are extremely important to the community.
Art is something that I have always loved because of its connection to activism. It allows people to get involved in their community and get people talking about problems.
Art will always be the voice of the people.
Fantastic article dude bro!