Valrico Woman Marks 50 Years As Art With Her Last Show

After a successful career and hundreds of shows, Minnette Webster wants to help others discover their own inner artist.

She’s already teaching adults at the Campo Family YMCA and soon will teach home-schooled youngsters.

“I like helping people create their own work and learn an appreciation for art,” said Webster, 74, who has taught art at the Hillsborough Correctional Institution in south county for nine years.

The Valrico artist’s work spans several mediums and that was clear at her exhibit this month at Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive.

The center is celebrating a half century of Webster’s work this month with “50 Years, 50 Pieces,” a retrospective showing the development of the Valrico artist over the years.

“This will be my last show,” said Webster Aug. 14 at a reception for the show. “For 50 years, I have had fun and experimented with my art and, when you own a Volkswagon convertible, there’s not many more art shows in you.”

Tampa artist Fran Hancock turned out for the reception. A lifelong friend of Webster's, Hancock admires Webster’s versatility.

“She’s done it all. What ever medium she picks, she does it well. Minnette is a very creative and imaginative person,” said Hancock.

Julie Wright has known Webster since 1979. She grew up in Valrico with the artist as a neighbor. Her parents, Eva and Roy, also bought several pieces from Webster.

“She was always giving back to the community by volunteering or working on different committees. I know she’s been teaching in a women’s prison for years. She’s just always such an outgoing and giving person,” said Wright.

“Like Picasso, she has had her different phases,” said Nina Webster who also owns several Webster creations. “It’s wonderful to have a show like this where you can watch the progression of her art over the years.”