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Library art show features many works on a small scale

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By ESTHER HAMMER

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 8, 2009

Sometimes works of art come in small sizes.

Such is the case with those exhibited in the national "Artists Trading Card Show" at the Old Hyde Park Art Center.

Sponsored by Tampa Realistic Artists (TRA), the show features 172 pieces of art by 35 artists from the Tampa Bay area and beyond. Size is the rule governing the show; each piece must be only 2½ inches by 3½ inches, the size of a standard baseball trading card. And they come in all media.

There is a wood burnt piece from Springfield, Ohio; origami from San Diego; a painting from Rapid City, S.D.; and works in various media by well-known local and regional artists.

More than the size of the art makes this show stand out.

"The cards cannot be sold, only exchanged," said Brigitte Mailahn, TRA's membership chairwoman and chair for this show. "The name says it all - artists trading card - so artists trade with each other. That's how it started back in 1996 in Switzerland."

She added that if someone really wanted a piece of art and had nothing to trade for it, that person might be able to negotiate a price with the artist.

This is the first time the Old Hyde Park Art Center has held this kind of show on this large a scale.

"I had hoped to have it international but with people out of the country there's always a problem with postage and exchange," Mailahn said. Perhaps next year.

The show runs through July 24, and ends with a trading session from 2 to 3 p.m. that day. The public is invited to join in the trading. Just bring an original piece of art in the required size on a sturdy backing. Put your name and contact info on the back, as you would on a business card.

The event is free and you don't have to bring a card to trade in order to enjoy the fun.

To enjoy the show at other times, visit the center at 705 Swann Ave. between noon and 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Admission is free. Call (813) 251-3780 for information. And Visit www.art-cards.org to see what it's all about and to find places to buy art cards in a range of prices.

Landscape works fill gallery

The Kotler Art Gallery of the John F. Germany Public Library features local artist Delia Canela-Senior through July.

Primarily a landscape painter, Canela-Senior imparts a fluidity to her waters and skies and a brilliant sharpness to her flowers and trees in both acrylic and oil medias.

She was born in the Dominican Republic and studied art in Santiago, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. She has been involved with the local art community since moving here in 2003.

Meet the artist and see her works at a free opening reception for the show from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the gallery in the library at 900 N. Ashley St. in downtown Tampa.

Call (813) 273-3652 for information.

Correspondent Esther Hammer can be reached at (813) 259-7662 or e-mail her at ehammer@tampatrib.com.

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