Blind Artist Brings Artistic Vision to Tampa

September 24, 2015

Tampa, Florida

For Immediate Release:

Artist Stephen Handschu is not your typical sculptor.  Born 95% blind, his parents encouraged their young son to do what was in his heart.  Against much adversity, they fought against the machine that would label their son “disabled” and in doing so, molded a self-made, determined man that has achieved more in his lifetime than most able bodied individuals.  Adeptly skilled with tools most sighted people would find daunting, Handschu uses his hands, blades and power tools to bring his visions to life.

Currently, Handschu can be found sharing his love of the art of sculpture with students, young and old at the Tampa Jewish Community Center.  Nurturing inspiration first through a clay model, then step by step instruction on carving in alabaster, Handschu helps open a window of creative inspiration in every students being.

Classes begin October 12, 2015 (Monday and Friday 10AM-12PM)

8 (2-hour sessions) $80 for Members/$95 for Non-Members (plus $35 per stone used)

For more information on this project or information on the artist, contact Stephen Handschu at (773) 209-4539 or via email at stephenhandschu@gmail.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: TERRI SIMONS, ARTS COUNCIL OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, 813-276-8250 or simonst@tampaarts.org

IMAGES: View some of the art that will be in the exhibition at this link: single images, group images, Rosenquist donation. High res images on request.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b1hct03jbkop1wv/AAAL-6q1io2JjrXPVT-Y0B6Va?dl=0

Small Art, BIG Cause and Rosenquist at FIVE by FIVE

Where: Tampa Museum of Art

When: Friday, October 16, 8-11 p.m.

FIVE by FIVE 2015 returns for its fourth year and takes over the first floor of the Tampa Museum of Art on Oct. 16. Nearly 600 pieces of 5”x5” art donated by 395 artists in 17 states and eight other countries will fill the main atrium. During the evening live performances in music, dance, theatre and spoken word will take place in the first floor pop-up club. NEW this year is a limited edition raffle for a signed James Rosenquist work.

Tampa, FL – FIVE by FIVE 2015, a multi-dimensional celebration of the arts, returns to the Tampa Museum of Art on Friday, Oct. 16, 8-11 pm. The fourth annual event, presented by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, includes dynamic performances by professional musicians, actors, poets and dancers throughout the evening, as well as an international exhibition of artwork. It is the largest single night event held at the museum, attracting more than 900 art enthusiasts last year.

New this year is a limited edition raffle for a signed James Rosenquist print, The Meteor Hits Picasso’s Bed. The work is #12 of only 28 artist proofs and was donated by the artist in support of the Arts Council’s programs that assist professional and emerging artists. Tickets are available on the night of the event only. Proceeds benefit the Arts Council’s work with individual artists.

Performances will again be in the event’s pop-up club where acoustics are better and audiences have a more intimate experience with area performers. Among the performers in the Oct. 16 evening are the Kuumba Dancers & Drummers, Lucha Libro Tampa Bay, Monday Monday tribute band, writer Sasenarine Persaud, dancers from Shoes at the Door, SoHo Indigo jazz and Yellowish Blue. Check the event site as others are added.

Nearly 600 pieces of art will be in the exhibition and include painting, drawing, etching, wood sculpture, metal sculpture, clay, mosaic, glass, metal, photography, fabric, mixed media and more. In addition to the contributions of work from hundreds of Bay area artists, artwork this year came from the Republic of Armenia, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Malta, Spain and the UK, as well as from 17 states across the nation.

Buyers of art pick work, which are displayed without attribution, for $25 each — gambling on getting a piece by an established artist or just a cool collectible. The artist’s names are kept secret and revealed to the buyer when purchased. Proceeds from art sales support programs for individual artists from the Arts Council.

Admission tickets can be purchased before the event through the Tampa Museum of Art. The $10 admission benefits the museum. Museum members are admitted free. FIVE by FIVE 2015 attendees may also visit the museum’s XTO+J-C: Christo and Jeanne-Claude featuring works from the bequest of David C. Copley and organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

For more information about the Arts Council’s FIVE by FIVE 2015, visit FivebyFiveTampaBay.com. A preview of work available for purchase and list of the performing artists is on the event site.

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Terri Simons, Director of Program Services

Arts Council of Hillsborough County

1000 N. Ashley Dr., Suite 105, Tampa, FL 33602

(813) 276-8250 ext. 104

or SimonsT@TampaArts.org

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