Priest, Woodworker to Headline Thursday Nights Live in Riverview

A Catholic priest with a penchant for painting and a woodworker who bowls over art lovers with his sculptural bowls will be the featured artists at this month's Thursday Nights Live at the Beaux Arts Gallery in Winthrop Town Centre.

Residents are invited to explore the works of the featured artists as well as other artists, enjoy live music, wine and hors d'oeuvres, courtesy of the Italian Kitchen Cafe in Riverview, when the Beaux Arts Gallery at 11252 Winthrop Main St., Riverview, hosts this month's Thursday Nights Live Sept. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The brainchild of Winthrop Town Centre artist Bryant Martinez, Thursday Nights Live returned in July after a year's hiatus. According to Martinez, the evenings, held on the last Thursday of the month, are intended to introduce the public to the works of a variety of talented artists in the community.

"This is an opportunity to meet the artists and learn a little bit about them and their motivations to create," said Martinez.

The Beaux Arts Gallery is located on the south side of the St. Petersburg Times Building.

Plant City artist Debra Bryant is responsible for organizing the shows.

"We're hoping to bring in artists from other parts of the county to do exhibits and lectures as well," said Bryant.

This month's show features the work of the Rev. Carlos Rojas and Jon Courson.

Rojas, a priest at Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon, began exploring his artistic side while a student at the University of South Florida. Born in Boston and raised in Puerto Rico, later moving back to the United States with his family and graduating from Chamberlain High School. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 2006, by Bishop Robert N. Lynch at St. Jude Cathedral in St. Petersburg and was assigned to St. Clement Catholic Church in Plant City before moving on to Nativity.

He uses pen, charcoal and pastels to create portraits and liturgical art.

After retirement as senior vice president of Pepsi in Tampa, Courson and his artist wife, Peggy, moved to Blowing Rock, N.C. Courson's ability to turn raw chunks of wood into bowls of exquisite beauty and design comes from the hard-earned skills he learned under the guiding influence of world-renowned wood turner, Rodger E. Jacobs. 

Having advanced his skills through further study at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tenn., Courson's wood art pieces are in high demand among collectors nationally. At his first showing in Blowing Rock's "Art in the Park," Courson sold his entire stock of 47 bowls. 

He and his wife continue to participate in this popular juried show annually.

The works of Rojas and Courson will be on exhibit at the gallery throughout October.

In addition, guests at Thursday Nights Live will be treated again to live music by Tampa resident Nelson Mariscal, playing a medley of pieces on his acoustic guitar.

"We haven't lined up all of the guest artists for future shows, yet," said Bryant.

However, she is planning a display of children's artwork during the month of December.

The Beaux Arts Gallery events are free. For information, call 813-438-3844 or email beauxarts11252@gmail.com.