Tampa Art Fair: Four Hispanic artists bring local stories to 110-person showcase

One hundred and ten artists filled the Tampa convention center for the Tampa Art Fair held from October 16 to 18. Among them, four creators of Hispanic heritage presented work that ranged from digital illustration to hyper-realistic painting. The event served as a public stage for these artists to share their distinct cultural backgrounds and personal histories with the local community.

Andrea Tansi, a Venezuelan artist, focused on digital media and children's literature. She spent four years creating "Mila de Viaje" (Mila Travels), a book that follows a character through the United Kingdom and Italy. The publication is available in Spanish, English, and Italian in both narrative and coloring book formats. Tansi included specific Tampa locations in her illustrations, such as the electric streetcar in Ybor City and the University of Tampa, where she studied. She stated she wants to show children that they can explore parts of the world without needing words to describe them.

Jerry Rodríguez, who is of Dominican descent and born in the Bronx, New York, centered his exhibit on the faceless doll. This traditional figure from Dominican culture appears in his paintings with no defined facial features. Rodríguez explained that this lack of specific identity allows the doll to represent many different people. He noted that differences in origin and experience do not make people less equal. His parents moved to Tampa for retirement, and he relocated to the city to continue his painting practice.

Cuban artist Jonathan Menéndez displayed representational realism that shifts between monochromatic tones and full color. He described the fair as a long-sought platform to showcase his work in Tampa. Menéndez noted that while other cities like Miami and New York have more exhibitions, he had been searching for local venues to display and sell his pieces. He was invited to the event by an organizer he met through his work as a tattoo artist. He urged the Hispanic community to take pride in their heritage and show the world what they are capable of.

Cuban artist Giovanni Rodríguez presented a diverse range of subjects, including portraits of Dolly Parton, Jesus Christ, Indigenous people, and Celia Cruz. He said he paints what he loves and that his passion is infinite. Rodríguez came to the fair through friendships with other artists. He advised fellow creators to keep focusing on their passions and to work hard to fulfill their dreams. He emphasized that consistent effort allows artists to look back and feel proud of their path.

The four artists were selected by a jury to participate in the event. Their work highlighted the diverse perspectives within Tampa's growing arts scene. The fair provided a space for these creators to connect with an audience interested in visual arts. It also offered a chance to sell their pieces and build networks within the local community.