Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts honors Julio Esquivel for his commitment to local arts and culture

TAMPA, Fla. (August 19, 2015) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) is pleased to announce Julio Esquivel as 2015 Impact Awards Honoree. Esquivel will receive the Individual Impact Award at TBBCA’s annual ceremony that recognizes businesses and individuals for outstanding contributions to arts and culture.

Esquivel is managing partner of the Tampa office of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. TBBCA is honoring Esquivel for his exemplary leadership in support of arts & cultural organizations in Tampa over nearly two decades.

“I believe cities can be transformed and business generated through arts and culture,” said Esquivel.

Esquivel is chairman of the Tampa Public Art Alliance, a nonprofit organization that supports the City of Tampa in realizing public art projects. Its projects include Lights on Tampa, a public art installation that illuminates the buildings and amenities of downtown Tampa. Lights on Tampa was recognized as one of the most significant art programs in the United States in the last half-century by Americans for the Arts.

Esquivel also serves on the Board of the Tampa Theatre, the Tampa Museum of Art, and the Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF). GMF’s existence largely can be attributed to its founder’s circle, known as the Ring of Fire, of which Julio and his wife Betsy are original members. The Ring of Fire provided seed capital essential to GMF’s launch and success.

Esquivel’s leadership in the local arts community began with his appointment to the City of Tampa’s Public Art Committee by Mayor Greco in 2001. Mayor Iorio reappointed him to Public Art Committee for a second term.

Esquivel will be honored together with Richard Gonzmart, Chuck Sykes, Marian Winters, and the late Theo Wujcik at TBBCA Impact Awards on Thursday, October 22. The fundraiser benefitting TBBCA programs, including the Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships, takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, 4200 Jim Walter Boulevard in Tampa.

About TBBCA

TBBCA is a non-profit organization founded in 1989. It remains today one of 12 affiliate organizations in the U.S. of Americans for the Arts. TBBCA’s mission is to unite area businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community because “the arts are good for business and business is good for the arts.” Through innovative pARTnerships and sustainable programs including The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships, Chalk Walk, Call to Artists, and Cultural Encounters, TBBCA provides valuable funding resources and support for artists, arts and cultural organizations, and arts education, and builds awareness of arts and culture as important economic drivers in our community and essential contributors to our quality of life.

TBBCA programs are generously supported by donations and sponsorships, including Chair’s Circle pARTners: The Tampa Bay Times/tbt*; Tampa Bay Magazine; Premier Eye Care; MedHOK; The Wilson Company; Stephen Gay & Associates, Realtors; Alex McKnight; Linda and Michael Connelly; Cox Media Group; Chappell Roberts; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, and B2 Communications. Platinum pARTners: LLP; The Beaux-Arts Group; Katharine Weymouth, Phelps Dunbar; Barnett, Bolt, Longwood, Kirk and Koche; Gold pARTners: Hill, Ward, Henderson; The Lightning Foundation; Hyde Park Village; and Yann and Susana Weymouth.

For tickets and sponsorship information visit www.tbbca.org/ImpactAwards2015 or call 813-221-2787.