For the past two years, Pride & Passion has felt more like a traveling art show than a Tampa Bay staple—but this year, the event celebrating LGBT influences in art returns to its roots. Pride & Passion began at the Museum of Art five years ago. Since then that building has been torn down and replaced with a brand new state of the art facility.
The fifth annual Pride & Passion is Friday, May 21, at 8 p.m. and kicks off the national LGBT Pride Month of June each year and encourages museum members and the Tampa Bay community to participate in a diverse collection of art and entertainment. Since 2006, Pride & Passion has generated more than 500 new memberships to the museum and attracted more than 1,500 people to its events.
The annual celebration was started by Scott Taylor and interim Museum interim executive director Ken Rollins. The two also produced the event its first two years.
Admission is $75 for an individual ticket and includes a one-year, individual level membership to the Tampa Museum of Art, as well as hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and live entertainment throughout the evening. Event proceeds support museum exhibitions and educational programs.
Once again, Tampa Bay-based artist Duncan McClellan has donated a glass sculpture to be raffled as a grand prize during Pride & Passion. The piece is valued at $1,000 McClellan recently won “Best in Show” at the Mainsail Arts Festival and has donated works of art for several charitable causes.
To purchase tickets, e-mail TMA-RSVP@TampaMuseum.org or call 813-421-8370.
