Tampa Museum Of Art Kicks Off Centennial Celebration And History Book Launch

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Tampa Museum of Art officially kicked off its 100-year centennial celebration on Saturday, January 11, 2020.

Patrons and Members attending the kickoff enjoyed a VIP reception, a special exhibition 'The Making of A Museum: 100 Years, 100 Works', which features 100 important works from its permanent collection, the unveiling of TMA's history book, and a cake celebration.

The 100 objects selected for the exhibition represent works important to founding the Museum and the growth of its permanent collections. With significant holdings of ancient Greek and Roman art, as well as Modern and Contemporary art, the collection is unique. Today, the Museum's collection includes over 7,000 objects with works of art acquired each year. In this exhibition, objects made in an array of media and created over different periods of time are juxtaposed to create new dialogues. Together, the works on view reveal the story of the Tampa Museum of Art.

From its beginnings as Tampa Museum of the Fine Arts (1920-1923) to the burgeoning Tampa Art Institute (1923-1966) and the Tampa Bay Art Center (1966-1979), the Tampa Museum of Art has matured in tandem with the growth and cultural prosperity of the Tampa Bay area. As the Museum celebrates its past, it looks towards the next 100 years.

As an accompaniment to the centennial, the Museum published a 200-page history book — The Making of a Museum: 100 Years, 100 Works — which will be available for purchase beginning January 11, 2020. The book tells the museum's story through a combination of interviews and works from the collection.

About the Tampa Museum of Art:
Founded in 1920, the Tampa Museum of Art inspires the residents of the Tampa Bay region and others around the world by providing engaging exhibitions and innovative educational programs that emphasize ancient, modern and contemporary art. As the Tampa Museum of Art nears its 100th anniversary, its exhibitions in part will focus on the breadth of the institution's growing permanent collection.

The Museum houses one of the largest Greek and Roman antiquities collections in the southeastern United States. As one of the region's largest museums devoted to the art of our time, the Museum's collection also embraces sculpture, photography, painting, new media, and more. With a 14,000 square-foot LED installation of Leo Villareal's Sky (Tampa) illuminating the south façade and the Museum's 23-foot tall cast iron sculpture Laura with Bun by Jaume Plensa silhouetted in front of the north façade, the Tampa Museum of Art stands as an iconic landmark of downtown Tampa.

Year-round creative classes offered both on-site and at various locations throughout Hillsborough County provide children, teens, and adults with opportunities to discover new skills and learn different art-making techniques. The Museum brings together local, national and international artists and scholars to inspire visitors to take part in exhibitions and art discourse through lectures, tours, and community partnerships.

While shopping for unique exhibition-related objects at the Museum Store or enjoying handcrafted meals, coffee, and gelato at the Riverwalk Cafe at TMA, visitors can take in the views of Tampa's scenic riverfront and see why the Museum also serves as one of Tampa's premier venues for special private events. Located in the heart of downtown, next to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Tampa's Riverwalk, the Tampa Museum of Art leads as both a cultural institution and a community museum dedicated to celebrating the diversity of its home city.

General Hours and Information:
The Museum opens daily at 10 a.m. Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday*, Saturday & Sunday 10a.m. – 5p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
*Fourth Fridays from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Museum's phone number is 813.274.8130 and the website is http://www.tampamuseum.org. The Museum's address is 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza. Tampa, FL 33602.

SOURCE Tampa Museum Of Art