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Freedom Plaza's Left Bank

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2009

The designers of Freedom Plaza's auditorium intended it for a multi-purpose area, and it certainly fulfills it purpose. Most mornings it serves as a gym where exercise groups work out; afternoons may find it used for various meetings, seminars or special interest classes; by evening it is transformed into a theater, or is the setting for parties or dances; on Saturday nights it becomes a movie house and on Sundays a chapel for Vesper Services. The walking track that marks the room's circumference is in almost constant use by individuals.

However, as versatile and frequented a place as the auditorium may be, it is safe to say that those original designers never envisioned it as an art gallery. For more than a decade of its existence no one else considered that possibility, either. Then, several years ago, came the South Shore Art Festival exhibit, hosted by Freedom Plaza. Artists from neighboring communities hung their paintings for display in the auditorium, and they graciously invited Freedom Plaza artists to participate. A few did, but wall space was limited, so it was given primarily to Freedom Plaza's guests, as was appropriate.

When the art exhibit ended and all the paintings were removed, the auditorium walls, of no particular notice before, seemed suddenly empty - very empty. Also brought out by the event was the fact that Freedom Plaza had a wealth of fine resident artists; that the auditorium walls need not ever be bare of original art work. The idea for a resident art exhibit was born and resident Ray Adams, himself an exceptional artist, was recruited to manage the project. He fulfills his post admirably and sees to proper grouping and hanging of the display.

On the premise that visual art includes more than painting, the exhibit now incorporates some crafts, such as needlepoint, petite point and quilting. It also includes artwork by talented employees as well as residents.

The Auditorium Art Gallery is currently being readied for one of its extensive displays; this one scheduled for mid-March and open to the public. For times and dates, call (813) 642-1213 or (813) 642-1215 and plan to take a stroll along the little known "left bank" of Freedom Plaza.

Peggy Burgess is a creative consultant for Freedom Plaza in Sun City Center.

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