This video story produced and reported by Ta’Bria Snowden. Web editing by Kirstin Neese
The Fourth Friday Art Walk is a tradition loved by Tampa natives and artists alike. It’s a monthly event where artists from all around Tampa Bay can come together and show off their work. From painting to singing, there is talent all around the Bay.
Not only is this event fun for guests, but it is also extremely beneficial for the artists as well. It allows all types of people to come together and get more exposure in ways where they couldn’t get before. 15-year-old songwriter JudyAnna Jackson is just one of the artists that have been able to share their work at the event. She has been singing since she was just eight years old and was ecstatic to be able to sing live on stage in front of hundreds of locals.
“It’s really amazing,” said singer JudyAnne Jackson. “I love being able to share my music with the world and being able to share my story through songwriting.”
COVID-19 greatly affected the arts scene in Tampa and this event gives artists the ability to share their passion again. After a long break, the monthly art walk is back and bigger than ever. The last Fourth Friday Art Walk that took place was in June 2019 with its revival coming over two years later.
“We did have to go on a little hiatus,” said Events Coordinator Ivy Lupco. “But that really gave us the opportunity to continue to reevaluate what this looks like and what would work best for our community.”
All you need to do to participate in the Fourth Friday Art Walk is to grab a free lanyard located in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. On the lanyard, it shows you all of the locations to each stand as well as discounts to local partners, like the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. They also have tons of food deals from local restaurants. When you go to every location on the back of your lanyard, you are entered in a raffle each time for the chance to win big prizes. It could range from opening night tickets to a show at the Straz Center or a big gift card at local restaurants.
For the older participants, the Fourth Friday Art Walk offers a Sip and Stroll lanyard where you can walk the entire Riverwalk while sipping on an alcoholic beverage and getting discounts from the venues. You can even do your own small bar-crawl for the bars that are participating.
The next Fourth Friday Art Walk is taking place on Nov. 26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m with giveaways from featured venues like the Straz Center or the Henry Plant Museum where you can get a tarot card reading.
This event wouldn’t be possible without the help of local businesses and the like.
“Brought to you by the Tampa downtown partnership,” said Events Coordinator Ivy Lupco. “So it’s our initiative and we are a nonprofit that’s contracted by the city of Tampa on behalf of Mayor Castor.”
For more information on this event, visit fourthfridaytpa.com
