Local Artists Want Chance to Exhibit at The Regent

FishHawk Trails artist Anne Drewry, president of the Greater Brandon Arts Council, wants to make sure local artists have a chance to display their works at the newly opened Regent.

Located at 6437 Watson Road, Riverview, in the neotraditional community of Winthrop, The Regent, formerly called the Brandon Community Advantage Center, was constructed with county, state and federal funds.

The upper floor features a massive ballroom that can be rented for weddings, parties and other functions with nonprofits receiving a discount to lease the space. The lower floor houses a conference center and six classrooms for Hillsborough Community College. The Regent also doubles as a public hurricane shelter.

But this wasn't the original purpose of the building when former state Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, secured the initial $250,000 in state funding for the facility seven years ago,  said Drewry.

"When they first started planning this and holding charettes with the art community, we put in hours giving them suggestions for what we hoped would be a venue for the performing arts and local artists," she said.

She noted that the Greater Brandon Arts Council was formed at that time to bring together the performing and fine arts community in the Brandon area, allowing members to have input into the design of the building. 

"We envisioned a pull-down stage and stadium seating so theater and dance groups could perform, as well as adequate space for art exhibitions and art classes," said Drewry. "We hoped it would be a cultural center, not just a civic center.

"Needless to say, we were extremely disappointed to see what's developed," she said. "It's a beautiful building but it wasn't what was promised."

Nevertheless, Drewry said the Brandon art community is still hoping to have space in the building to exhibit local art. To that end, a group of artists attended last week's Regent board meeting to find out what plans are being made to accommodate local artists.

"I think each area of the building could feature local artists that would fit in with the ambiance of the place," she said.

Board member George May told Drewry the purpose of the The Regent changed from its original scope with the need to be self-sustaining.

"We tried to make this something that would fit all sorts of uses," he said. "But we're self-supporting. We have to pay bills. So we had to have a way to bring money in. There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding out in the public."

According to Bryant Martinez, Winthrop town artist and proponent of public art in public spaces, The Regent features 35 niches specifically designed for public art, and Martinez believes these spaces should be reserved for appropriate public art.

"I want our children to benefit from great parks, great spaces and great art," said Martinez.

He said he was disappointed when The Regent's board purchased two commercial statutes from the Michael Murphy Gallery in South Tampa to decorate The Regent's ballroom.

"It's insulting. Those aren't public art," he said. "And there was no public input into purchasing them. This is a community building, and the community should have a say in what goes into it."

Terry Curry, chairwoman of advantage center's board of directors, admitted that she's new to the board and wasn't privvy to past discussions about the building's original purpose.

"I wasn't here then," said Curry. "This board has a different mission than the last board."

However, she said the board has drawn up tentative guidelines for placing public art in The Regent, and said the board does intend to work with the local art community.

"We'll schedule a time when you can meet with the task force  for more discussion," Curry said. "We do want local art. We have some wonderful artists in this community, a great talent pool here. It's just a matter of what is submitted and where it will be placed."

"I don't think any of us have a desire to upset the art cultural community," added board secretary Mary Boor. "We're on the same page as you."

As part of The Regent's proposed Art in Public Places Guidelines, a task force consisting of three members appointed by the board of directors will review any art submitted for display in The Regent. The task force will include the center's director, Kristen Kerr, as well as a representative of Hillsborough Community College.

An HCC representative is included because, under an agreement with the board of directors, the college owns the building and is in charge of its maintenance. The advantage center board of directors simply oversees the rental of the facility for functions.

Curry noted the art guidelines for The Regent are based on Hillsborough County's Public Arts Ordinance and drawn up by board member and Regent architect Antonio Amadeo.

"The recommended policy will allow for people to submit materials to be considered," she said.

Martinez applauded the gesture.

"I'm happy there's an arts policy," said Martinez. "I want to make sure this center develops in a way we can all be proud of."

Drewry was also pleased to see that the proposed arts guidelines give priority to local artists but said she's disappointed that the arts community won't have more input into what's chosen for display.