Art Current-get plugged in!

If you live in Tampa Bay, Why are you here?

I decided to stay here after grad-school at USF. I love living near the gulf! And St. Petersburg has such a warm personality--it won me over.

How long have you lived here?

I moved here from Arizona the summer of 1999.

What neighborhood do you live in, why did you choose it and what do you like about it?

I chose St. Petersburg after living in the University Area for the first year. My neighborhood is quiet and friendly--and close to downtown in one direction and the gulf in the other.

If you were to move to a different neighborhood, what would it be and why?

I don't want to move--but if I had to, just in walking distance of downtown SP.

What is your favorite thing about Tampa?

The water. People I've met are wonderful, but as a west coast native, (L.A.) I'm challenged by the lack of infrastructure and visual appeal here (on some streets and areas). But I'm not just complaining, I'm working to make things better.

What kinds of things are you involved in?

Connecting businesses with the arts. I'm part of a huge independent art community in the Tampa Bay area. We want businesses to utilize creative people in their internal and external programs and endeavors. Also, I'm working to connect businesses with the renaissance generation (current twenty-somethings).

Tell us about what you do.

In recent years while employed at University Area Community Development Corporation, I helped to further developed the Prodigy Cultural Arts Program for youth. The program is designed to help youth become aware of their agency (power) and life skills through doing art. We now have 20 locations across the state. Currently I am the business development analyst at the community development corporation where Prodigy started.

Where else have you lived?

I lived the first 20 years of my life in Los Angeles, the second 20 in Arizona (Scottsdale), and now into the next phase I'm here. But I'd like to end up in Santa Fe in the next ten years.

What kinds of things are you interested in seeing on Brand Tampa?

Events that connect people. Announcements by businesses of the need for artists to provide entertainment, or services for their ventures. Announcements by artists and arts based businesses.