Tampa Artist Nneka Jones Wins Best Of Show At Gasparilla Art Fest

TAMPA, FL — While this year's Gasparilla Festival of Arts featured artists from across the country, it was a Tampa artist who received the coveted Best of Show Award last weekend.

Nneka Jones claimed the top prize at the annual for winning this year's best of show at 52nd Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, winning $15,000.

"I am so honored to receive the Best of Show Award for my new piece, "Modern Renaissance," Jones said. "I'm never one to not have words, but I'm honestly speechless."

Jones, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain and received her bachelor of fine arts from the University of Tampa, is a multidisciplinary artist who creates both large- and small-scale pieces that comment on social and environmental justice, advocating for the protection of women and girls of color.

Her intricate embroidery incorporates symbolism to raise awareness of the victimization women and young girls.

Her works are currently on display in the exhibit, "Verde: Poetics of Shade," at the Tampa Museum of Art in partnership with the Tampa Chapter of The Links Inc.

The exhibition features five regional artists working in different mediums, including painting, ceramics, sculpture and embroidery on canvas. Along with Jones, artists exhibiting their works through July 24 are Kendra Frorup, Princess Smith, Shannon Elyse and Jodi Minnis.

See related stories:

• Tampa Artist Captures Victimization Of Women In Embroidery
• 52nd Gasparilla Arts Fest To Feature More Than 250 Artists