Lights on Tampa is a critically acclaimed and award winning program whose mission is to bring free access to artistic excellence. Its emphasis is on new media technologies and education. Lights On Tampa is informed by successful international models including BEAP (Biennial Electronic Art in Perth), and Lights of Turin.

From an international call to artists, a highly respected jury consisting of Anne Pasternak, Jerry Saltz, and Dave Hickey, recommended a pool of artists to participate in Lights On Tampa 2009. While all will be innovative and experiential, one installation is specific to the Super Bowl in recognition of Tampa hosting Super Bowl XLIII. The intent is to broaden the reach of the arts through Lights On Tampa, and connect with new audience groups. Millions will see all of the installations.

The program is a public/private partnership that reinforces Tampa’s commitment to the arts, technology, and education. It is a cultural and aesthetic event designed to engage, entertain, and educate Tampa’s diverse community.

Lights On Tampa is a biennial program timed to complement a larger community initiative to revitalize and strengthen the downtown core, reinforce the city’s commitments to the arts and technologies, and capitalize on the peak tourist and convention season in Tampa.

Lights On Tampa 2009 brings the work of major contemporary artists to downtown Tampa. Lights On Tampa kicks off on January 10th with a large public event, and the installations will continue to run through February 2nd, in order to reach visitors in Tampa for the 2009 Super Bowl.

Lights On Tampa 2009 sites include: The Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk, USF Park, Cotanchobee Park, and Fort Brooke Parking Garage. Community members, and visitors will celebrate the opening of Lights On Tampa 2009 through a pedestrian-friendly public event in order to experience each of the destinations.

The park is one city block, 245 feet by 242 feet, and features a circular park design, public art (Freedom Sculpture), a covered gazebo, and a history walking trail.   The “dome” of the gazebo resembles the dome of the 1892 County Courthouse and the image on the County Seal.

Shade trees at the park are live oaks and the palms are the Florida state tree, the cabbage palm.  The ground cover is a native plant called coontie.  Ten times around the square is approximately one mile.

Joe Chillura Courthouse Square (map) is located on the block surrounded by Kennedy Blvd. on the south and Morgan, Madison, and Pierce Streets in the Government Center district of downtown Tampa.

Lights On Tampa is a public/private partnership that bridges Tampa’s commitment to the arts, technology, and education and offers free access to artistic excellence. It is a cultural and aesthetic event designed to engage, entertain, and educate Tampa’s visitors and diverse community. Lights On Tampa is a biennial program that brings major contemporary artists to downtown Tampa. By focusing on art that is experiential and includes both “low” and “high” tech materials, Lights On Tampa also puts the spotlight on Tampa. Some of these installations will be permanent, some temporary, and some will live only virtually through www.lightsontampa.org.

Lights On Tampa kicks off on January 10th with a large public event, and the installations will continue to run through February 2nd, in order to reach visitors in Tampa for the 2009 Super Bowl. Lights On Tampa 2009 sites include: The Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk, USF Park, Cotanchobee Park, and Fort Brooke Parking Garage.

Lights On Tampa is an innovative project of the City of Tampa, Art Programs Division which debuted in 2006. The Art Programs Division of the City of Tampa is in partnership with Friends of Tampa Public Art, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization to commission the selected artists to create the installations.

Check back with My Downtown Tampa for the schedule and specific installments. ]]> http://mydowntowntampa.com/2008/12/02/lights-on-tampa-2009/feed/ 0 http://mydowntowntampa.com/2008/11/29/the-florida-aquarium/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-florida-aquarium http://mydowntowntampa.com/2008/11/29/the-florida-aquarium/#comments Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:26:39 +0000 tommyduncn http://mydowntowntampa.com/?p=202 From the Florida Aquarium website:

The Florida Aquarium, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution astounds visitors with the beauty and fragility of our eco-system. The facility is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the world. The cornerstone of The Channel District, The Florida Aquarium’s mission since opening in 1995 is to entertain, educate and inspire stewardship about our natural environment. It serves as a significant example of Florida’s commitment to preserving native landscapes, ecosystems, historical and archaeological sites, and ethnic and cultural traditions representative of the diverse geography and cultural life unique to our state. Opening in March 1995, the Aquarium has provided cultural enrichment experiences to more than seven million visitors, including 100,000 school students and 1,000 teachers annually.

Opened in March 1995, the 250,000 sq-ft aquarium tells Florida’s unique water story as it follows a drop of water from its underground source to the open sea and is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals both native to Florida and from all over the globe.

Four galleries highlight the route of that drop of water:

• Wetlands – Explore Florida’s freshwater environments, including springs, streams, marshes, rivers and mangrove forests. Come face-to-face with otters, spoonbills, gators and snakes. Climb to the top of the dome to check out Aquariumania! An exhibit dedicated to home aquariums.
• Bays & Beaches – Discover sea life along Florida’s coast, such as bonnethead sharks, seahorses, spiny lobsters, stingrays and a 350 lb. grouper!
• Coral Reefs – Plunge 60 feet below the surface into a colorful coral grotto called Sherwood Forest without ever getting wet! Home to more than 2,300 fish including moray eels, grouper, tarpon, Queen Triggerfish and much, much more! Guests age 6 and over can ‘Swim with the Fishes’ in this 500,000-gallon tank! Learn more.
• Sea Hunt – Encounter the world’s most fascinating predators: sharks, a giant Pacific octopus, lionfishand more! Certified SCUBA divers age 15 and older can ‘Dive with the Sharks’ in Shark Bay! Learn more.

Other highlights include:

• Explore A Shore – Cool off this summer with splashin? fun at The Florida Aquarium?s 2-acre water adventure park, Explore A Shore! Watery waves, slippery slides, gushing geysers and an assortment of animal models are just a few of the attractions that await the kids. While the kids play, parents can enjoy the comfort of the Tampa Tribune Cantina with easy viewing of the play and table service.
• Aquariumania! – Explore the art, science and fun of the aquarium hobby and discover why Florida is a leader in the global tropical fish business.
• Dive with Sharks – Our new shark experience, featuring the chance for certified divers to dive in our shark tank. Reservations required: (813) 367-4005.
• Behind-the-Scenes Tours – Explore the Aquarium as never before. See previous “off-limits” areas and learn what it takes to make the Aquarium work.
• No Bone Zone – A kid-friendly, interactive presentation of invertebrates, featuring a 600-gallon touch pool.
• Eco-Tours – The journey through the bay aboard The Bay Spirit, our 49-foot powered catamaran, allows guests to encounter the awesome animals that thrive in these local waters. The only requirement is a sense of adventure. A good pair of binoculars is optional.

The Florida Aquarium (map) is located in the Channelside District, at 701 Channelside Drive. Parking is available in the lot just north of the aquarium (map), or the nearby Channelside Parking Garage (map).

The Florida Aquarium is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, but closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

As of November 2008, General Admission is $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for Seniors 60 and older.  Children under 12 get in for $14.95, and little ones 2 & under are Free.  Some of the optional tours incur an extra cost.