Local Artists Show Why They Love Ybor In heART of Ybor Contest

TAMPA, FL — As a continuation of the Heart of Tampa campaign celebrating the city's history, diversity and collective economic impact on the area, the Ybor City Development Corp. asked Tampa artists to submit their entries showing what the National Historic Landmark District means to them in the heART of Ybor Community Art Contest.

“The unique ambiance that radiates throughout Ybor City is inspirational to so many," said Courtney Orr, YCDC manager. "We thought why not present a platform for anyone to demonstrate via various artistic mediums how Ybor stole their heart. We also hope this could help draw even more creatives to live and/or work in Ybor.”

Over the two decades, Ybor City has become a magnet to artists who appreciate its Cuban and Italian architectural and cultural influences, its brick streets and bricked facades adorned with iron-railed balconies, its quaint shotgun houses, storied past, eclectic mix of businesses and restaurants, high-spirited nightlife and casual, friendly ambience by day.

Sean Manovill is among the artists who said he was drawn to Ybor City, proving his faith in Ybor City when he recently opened The Gimmick, a vintage store and art gallery.

“Art is a visual language that brings all people together. The ability to create and share in a place like Ybor City is extremely rewarding and drives me every day to stay unique and exciting,” Manovill said.

Manovill joins Ybor's growing art galleries including

• Dysfunctional Grace Art Co
• Gallery 1707
• Havana Arts
• HCC Ybor Campus Art Gallery
• Jeff Whipple Art Museum
• Noah Deledda
• Silver Meteor Gallery

Also calling Ybor home are the Aeon Life Theater, the HCC Performing Arts Center, along with video production and sound studio Lot 1901; The Power Station, a production studio led by "The Blair Witch Project" director Dan Myrick; the Flamenco Troupe of The Columbia, and music venues showcasing a wide range of genres including The Ritz Ybor, Crowbar, The Orpheum, The Castle, The Cuban Club, The Blue Note and The Attic.

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Ybor's growing reputation as a haven for artists was borne out in the number and diversity of entries the Ybor City Development Corp. received in its heART of Ybor Community Art Contest.

"Ybor is the heart of Tampa and art is part of the heart of Ybor," Orr said. "We launched this art contest to highlight why our community loves Ybor. It was humbling to see so many people show their support and share their artwork. We received incredible participation across all four categories: Visual Art, Digital Art, Performance Art, and Out-of-the-Box. All entries demonstrated creative and artistic qualities that celebrated Ybor City’s strong history and diversity."

Winners include:

1st Place Visual Art: The Colonel - Heart of Ybor

By Lynn Rattray

In 2016, a law was broken. In the dark of night, a dingy bedraggled rooster was dropped off in the streets of Ybor City. Thrown away by his owner, he had little chance of survival in the feral community and his future seemed bleak.

Fast forward, this throw-away ascended to become the superstar of Centennial Park. He soon became stunning in both appearance and character and was dubbed The Colonel.

The Colonel’s kind spirit of community still permeates the square, and as I sit in silence, a tear falls for a life well lived.

1st Place Performance Art: Ybor City (Never Let It Go)

By Mike Baluja

A song about my lifelong love affair with Ybor City set to pics, past and present.

Ybor City (Never Let It Go) written and recorded by Miguel Baluja, featuring Tony Garcia on vocals

Lyrics:

Through the veins of Ybor City

Run the varied breeds and bloods

That’s the way it came together

That’s the way it always was

Take a trip down 7th avenue

Watch the miracle unfold

A city rich with hidden treasures

A million stories to be told

Ybor City’s in my heart

It’s got a place inside my soul

And it will be that way forever

I will never, never let it go, no

I’ll never let it go

I’ll never let it go

No no no

It’ll be that way forever, and ever, yeah, yeah

I’ll never let it go, I’ll never let it go, I’ll never let it go, I’ll never let it go, aaah…

I’m in love with Cigar City, yes, I am

And with its bold and brilliant past

The buildings, homes, the streets, the people

This is a love, a love that’s gonna last, yes, it is

(Refrain)

1st Place Digital Art: The Heart Within

By David Bodo

I saw it in my head within a few seconds. Ybor is the heart of Tampa. Art is the heart of Ybor. Heart shapes are formed by iconic places, people and festive visuals. Night air, bright lights, dark mystery in a swirl of action so intense you can hear it if you listen close enough. A sketch in pencil, followed by ink, and a trip into the digital world for a nice dance of color.

1st Place Out Of The Box: Happy Box of My Home In Ybor City

By Nicole Ferrara

I was raised in Orlando, but my parents met and fell in love in Ybor. I grew up visiting frequently, whether to visit my uncle in the area, to relive some of my parents' fondest memories (like visiting the professors they had together who are still teaching), or to create wonderful new memories as a family.

Despite not growing up here, Ybor always felt like home to me. Once it was time to move out, I knew I wanted to begin my own chapter here. Now I live here with the love of my life and our sweet dog. Shortly after moving here, I began painting "happy boxes" of people’s happiest places to be used as keepsake boxes for all the trinkets that make them smile. I finally made my own painted with my pup, whom we rescued shortly after moving here. Now it holds all the sweet treasures of our life together in Ybor. Ybor has been a beautiful full-circle story for me. It has always been my home.

Other winners are:

Visual Arts

• Second Place: Ybor Vibe by Brian Morris
• Third Place: Some Things Never Change by Tracy Brown

Digital Art

• Second Place: Rooster Cameraby by Tyler Martinolich
• Third Place: The Magnificent Ybor by Jean-Rene Rinvil

Performance Art

• Second Place: 102 Degrees by Paula Nunez

Out of the Box

• Second Place: Henrietta and Cock-A-Doodle-Do: The Ybor City Chickens by Anais Balbas
• Third Place: Ybor City Drone Footage by Steven Stryker.