Need help? Email megan AT artsqueeze.com
Welcome to Art Squeeze.
I created this blog as a way of addressing the disconnect between different parts of the Tampa Bay area arts community. How many times have I heard an art lover from St. Petersburg tell me that she’s never heard of Bleu Acier? Or a Tampa resident admit that he’s never been to The Arts Center? Folks, we have a promising contemporary art scene struggling to thrive in this area, but we don’t have the social cohesion to support it.
Yet.
Each week, I write a print column about the visual arts in Creative Loafing, our alternative newsweekly. Here on Art Squeeze, you’ll find further coverage of events, story updates, and even multimedia features. (Yes—get ready to waste some freakin’ time on this site.)
The goal is always to support talent where talent has merited support. You won’t find me an uncritical cheerleader. There’s stuff that I don’t like and that I don’t think is very good; generally, I won’t be writing about that stuff. (On the other hand, just because I skipped your exhibit doesn’t mean I don’t like you.)
I am only one person (and one who needs a full 8 hours of winks each night); if you ever have information to add to a post or a correction to report, please post a comment or email me at megan AT artsqueeze.com. (There’s actually buzzword for this type of interactivity in journalism, and it’s “crowdsourcing.” Not quite as fun as crowdsurfing, but almost.)
Finally, on a personal note, you may be interested to know that I grew up in Tampa. (A rare semi-native!) I left—“fled” might be a better word—after high school and spent 4 years at the charmingly bucolic Williams College (studio art major) before moving to New York City for 3-1/2 years (where I lived in Brooklyn and on the LES and earned a master’s degree in media studies at the New School.)
A year after moving back in 2004, I somehow managed to become a freelance writer and art critic, also teaching at the University of Tampa and the Art Institute of Tampa. (And I edit a weekly newsletter called “The Buzz” for Creative Tampa Bay.) I conduct most of each business day from a 400-sq.-ft. apartment while wearing fuzzy slippers.
Yours truly,
Megan Voeller
11 responses so far ↓
1 Laura Flavin // Mar 4, 2008 at 10:07 am
I have found you! yea!
I am just beginning to explore your site, how fun.
Laura
2 James Mazza // Mar 6, 2008 at 10:27 am
Wonderful meeting you last night at the St. Pete Creative Network. You have a great blog setup here… need to check it out in depth. I’ll definitely let you know when I have a show coming up.
-James
3 Vickie Fisher // Apr 11, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I am an artist that contributed for ArtLOUD, “The Scarlett Hat”. I will also be showing a few pieces at Tampa Artist Emporium. I am just starting in my art career in Tampa due to Jimmy Vann and the Life Enrichment Center for coaching me on and just wanted to thank them. The Life Enrichment Center is struggling due to tax cuts which has affected all students and artist. Stop by if you can and take a peek at my work, Saturday April 12 at the Tampa Artist Emporium. Thanks!
4 Carl Knickerbocker // Apr 12, 2008 at 10:04 am
Discovered your site today and had a good time prowling around. Been one of the represented artists at Clayton Galleries for the last three or four years. I live in the Orlando area.
elementartcar.org
carlknickerbocker.com
5 Colleen // Apr 12, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I just found you as well and yes, I am late. You are VERY correct in regards to the disconnect! Previously, between a couple spoken word series mixed with visual art, my ‘creative partner’ and I have made the attempt of uniting the Bay Area in our small way… more St. Pete Poets and Artists to Tampa, Tampa Poets and Artists to St. Pete. As you can see, we fell short!
Thanks for putting this out here!!
6 Richard Livingstone // Apr 25, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Megan,
It was a pleasure having you speak at the Clearwater Rediscovered Youth Summitt. Your candid outlook on Tampa was much appreciated and your 10 tips highly valuable. I felt as if you were describing my future in 10 minutes (without the coming back to Tampa!) However, i am pleasanlty surprised to say i have a new outlook on my future! I would love to see what Tampa has to offer me and i offer it! I hope our paths cross again and i look forward to reading your blog! Great stuff; (and i don’t even appreciate art as much as i should)!
Thanks!
7 Katherine Gibson // May 5, 2008 at 5:32 am
What is the LES that you mention when talking about living in New York?
8 Melissa Fair // May 5, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Katherine - I think it might be york speak for the Lower East Side??? who knows. it was my guess since i inferred it referenced a phsical location.
but i could be completely wrong!
(probably am !)
9 megan // May 5, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Melissa, you are completely and totally correct. Lower East Side. I lived briefly in the building next to Schiller’s Liquor Bar, a symbol of the neighborhood’s continuing gentrification. Frankly, I prefer Brooklyn– if I had to move back, that’s where I would live.
10 Katherine Gibson // May 9, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Melissa and Megan - thanks for the clarification - it inspires me to practice my NY speak especially since I’m a NY (temporary) resident wannabe.
11 The Jacey Gallery // May 14, 2008 at 3:02 pm
“Art at the Speed of Life” Exhibition featuring the Westchase Artists Society at the Jacey Gallery from June 6-July 28, 2008. The Gala opening will be held on Friday, June 6 from 7-10pm. The event is free & open to the public. Location: 4802 Gunn Highway Suite 114, Tampa, 33624/Carrollwood. (813)960-5400
* The Jacey Gallery features local professional artists in monthly exhibitions. Artists who are interested in exhibiting work can submit a website or artwork samples for review to: nancy@nancyjacey.com
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