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Our Artist Directory highlights hundreds of local artists actively working in the Arts – dance, film, literary, music, theatre, visual arts and more. Are you a local artist actively working in Hillsborough, Pinellas or Pasco? List your profile for free.

This directory and website is service of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County.

Leighton DaCosta

Teaching Artist/Instructor; Visual Arts

Hello, I’m Leighton and I help people around the world tell their story. Let me introduce myself. Happiest moment: USS Wisconsin Next vacation spot: Sand Dunes Favorite late-night snack: Chocolate Future goal within photography: Author Favorite place to eat: MOJO’s Photographer most inspired by: Annie Leibovitz Number 1 lesson learned in photography: Preparation Favorite moment in Photography: Aruba Favorite Band: Bob Marley and the Wailers Favorite time of the day: Blue Hour Born in Kingston, Jamaica, my family moved to Brooklyn, NY for a better life. Eventually, that led to us relocating to Orlando, Fl, where I consider my hometown away from home. I joined the World’s Finest Navy and embraced all of the experiences that came it. Different countries, lifelong friends, and even flying a plane or two. After 3 tours in the Navy, 4 years in Afghani dust, and 43 states, I now reside in the Tampa Bay area.

Steve Daniels

Teaching Artist/Instructor; Visual Arts: Photography

Steve Daniels is a Commercial and Fine Art Photographer specializing in Panoramic and architectural Photography, as well as Landscape, Wildlife, Bird and Cityscape Photography. He is also a Graphic / Instructional Designer specializing in Page Layout and Presentation Design (PowerPoint and Flash).

Dennis DeBon

Visual Arts: 3D

Award-winning glass artist, Dennis DeBon was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. At an early age, he became interested in architecture and developed his skills in mechanical drafting and structural design. Dennis continued his development by attending the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, where he studied photography and graphic design. Since moving to St. Petersburg, Florida, Dennis has developed his creative abilities by combining his structural background with his love of glass. He integrates the transparency of glass with beautiful splashes of color and the element of motion and creates truly unique forms of modern glass art. Dennis has been commissioned in recent years as the artist to create the Richard Dawkins Awards. His past creations were presented to James “The Amazing” Randi, Carl Sagan’s widow Ann Druyan, and the winners of the Zora Neale Hurston awards. When Dennis isn’t creating art, you might find him in the boxing ring…working as a professional boxing referee. Some Current Exhibit Galleries & Museums: Abacus Galleries – Kennebunkport/Ogunquit/Portland, Maine American Craftsman Galleries – NYC, New York / Stockbridge, Mass./ Savannah, Ga. Art & Soul Gallery – Traverse City, Michigan Artful Hands Gallery – Chatham, Mass. Creations Gallery – Newark, Delaware Eclipse Gallery – Bar Harbor, Maine Ecolin Gallery – Port Jefferson, New York Florida Craftsmen Gallery – St. Petersburg, Florida Frick & Frack – Wayne, New Jersey Hanson Galleries – Houston, Texas Haven Gallery – Austin, Texas Hillyer House Gallery – Ocean Springs, Mississippi HoyPoloi – Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida Local Treasures – Tequesta, Florida Mansfield Art Center – Mansfield, Ohio Nancy Markoe Gallery – St. Pete Beach, Florida Nash Gallery – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina North Bay Gallery – Sonoma / Napa Valley, California Ocean Galleries – Stone Harbor / Avalon, New Jersey Polk Museum of Art – Lakeland, Florida Reflections Gallery – Mendocino, California Raku Gallery – Jerome, Arizona Sunrise Gallery – Scottsdale, Arizona The Pop Gallery – Walt Disney World, Orlando Timothy’s Gallery – Winter Park, Florida Topeo Gallery – New Hope, Pennsylvania Zephyr Galleries – Atlantic City, New Jersey / Newton, Pennsylvania.

David Del Toro

Teaching Artist/Instructor; Visual Arts: 2D

My name is David Del Toro and I am a fine artist living in Tampa, Fl. I am a plein air and studio painter. Painting has been a passion of mine for 30 years. I teach oil painting techniques to any experience level.

John Demas

Music; Teaching Artist/Instructor; Writing

John Demas (Author, Educator, Inventor, and Performer) is the Program Coordinator for Classical Guitar Studies at the University of Tampa and the Program Coordinator for Jazz and Classical Guitar Studies at Hillsborough Community College and Florida College. A native of Ambridge Pennsylvania, John Demas has been a freelance musician in the state of Florida since 1979. Mr. Demas is an alumnus of Miami-Dade Community College, the University of Miami and earned his Degree with Honors in Classical Guitar Performance from University of South Florida. He has performed vocally and instrumentally playing guitar, mandolin and banjo with the Florida Orchestra, the Sarasota Opera Company and the Joffery Ballet Company. Mr. Demas has also performed throughout the U.S. at numerous Greek weddings, baptisms, church dances, festivals and national conventions. He has recorded with many Greek bands during his career including: Mike Kakias, Evzon, Pegasus, and The Omega Project. John is the author of: The Best of Greek Bouzouki, The John Demas Bouzouki Method, The John Demas Guitar Technique and Theory Workbook and The NailScale Handbook, which is a nail care and maintenance guide for the classical guitarist. John is also the co-inventor of The NailScale, a precision nail measuring devise for the classical guitarist and The FretMap, a clip-on fretboard navigational and illustration system. Mr. Demas has made numerous television and radio appearances over the years educating the public and promoting the Classical Guitar and the Greek Bouzouki.

Cristina Denegri

Visual Arts

Cristina Denegri was born in Peru, she is a self taught artist and in his beginnings as an artist she was one of the founders of the “El Templo” cultural and artistic workshop, centered in Lima-Peru. She started exhibiting her art professionally 19 years ago. She moved from Peru to Florida, United States 18 years ago and on 2005 opened an art gallery where she worked as artist and gallery director. She have been exhibiting in national and international art events since then. Last year she was the recipient of the “Hispanic Leadership Class Award” as the Artist of the Year in Tampa, Florida, she was also selected as one of the “Best Contemporary Artists of 2017” in Berlin, Germany. Her artworks are included in private and corporate collections across the US and internationally. Statement: I describe my art as “Emotional Spiritualism” On my art I express humanity’s internal search for themselves, the meaning of life, the connection that exists between us through the energy we transmit, also I apply a theory around human emotions, I’m a very strong believer that there is nothing most important in this world of ours, but that of the quality of life that emotions brings to us, therefore my work seeks to represent and manifest my personal beliefs and theories of the human psyche using my own style consists of geometrical shapes, humans figures, open and loosely strong traces, dripping, masked faces, fictitious characters and vibrant oil colors to enrich, enforce and project those ideas.

Lisa Deneka

Lisa Deneka is a professional visual artist working in mixed media. She received a BA in Fine Art from USF and completed a residency in documentary filmmaking in NYC. In addition, she spent seven years in Taos and Santa Fe, NM studying art of the Southwest. Lisa’s work has premiered in several juried exhibitions at the Tampa Museum of Art, the Amelia Arena, Carrollwood Cultural Center and several private galleries and festivals. Kahwa at the Element featured her work as artist-of-the-month for October 2014. Lisa has also been a guest art teacher at Creative Clay and taught K-8th grade art at a local private school.

Nikki Devereux

Visual Arts: 2D

My first solo exhibition was held at The Studio@620 in St. Petersburg, FL, included 20 works of mixed media, and was attended by over 200 art lovers and collectors. I have also completed works for several group exhibitions and themed shows. The focus of my photo work is portraiture, with an emphasis on telling stories through body language and eye contact. I love photographing people and telling their stories. My mixed media work takes my portraiture a step further, intimating deeper stories with texture, color and movement. My passion for all things photographic has led me in endless pursuit of techniques new and old. In June of 2014, I studied under Jim Stone of the University of New Mexico at Penland School of Arts and Crafts. The class, “Photographing with the View Camera,” reawakened my passion for darkroom work and silver gelatin printing. Wanderlust has taken me to England, all over Europe, and to Central and South America. I have lived in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Ecuador, Florida, New York, and Asheville. I currently call St. Petersburg, FL home. Travel and exploration will inevitably continue to be a catalyst in my life and art, driving me to explore more of our extraordinary world. I am a member of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, St. Petersburg Warehouse Arts District and an active participant in the arts community of St. Petersburg. I also volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Big Brother, Big Sister, and strive to help people whenever possible.

Cindy Devine

Artistic Endeavors in wire and metal I create wire and metal art jewelry. Using traditional metal smithing techniques such as riveting, fold-forming, and bezel setting gemstones. I am mostly a self-taught artist, learning on my own. I love working with metals. I find it very therapeutic. I find the repetition of hammering to be almost musical. Moving metals with hammer and flame is very Zen and peaceful. I have been creating unique and sometimes one of a kind jewelry pieces for over 9 years now. I have had my work featured in “Step by Step Wire” magazine. I have had an online shop on Etsy for 8 years and have been doing art shows for 9 years. My work can be found in various shops and galleries along the eastern U.S. and I can be found at local art shows in Florida.

Angela Dickerson

Teaching Artist/Instructor

Artist Statement Zoomorphic, organic and plant-like shapes are most prevalent in my subject matter. I am always experimenting with new materials and found objects. I am always searching for ways to interpret my ideas into new medium. I can teach and offer art in the following mediums: painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, assemblage, metalsmithing, fine art jewelry and fiber arts. Employment 2015 to Present Art Instructor Prodigy St. Leo University 2007-Present: Teaching Artist in Residence for VSA of Florida 2010-2014 Certified Art Teacher, Hillborough County Schools (currenlty a Substitue Teacher in Hillborough County Schools) 2001-2007 Art Program Coordinator, Project Return Inc. Local Exhibitions 2014 “Art to Wear” Polk Museum of Art 2012 “Angela Dickerson and Younghee” Guest Artists Santaella Studios for the Arts 2011 “Gems and Jewels” Polk Museum of Art 2010 Sensory Overload, Ybor, City 2010 “Contain It” Dunedin FIne Arts Center 2009 Dilettante Translating Organic Forms through Diverse Mediums Gallery 501 Howard Blake High School for the Arts Tampa, FL 2008 Members Exhibition Arts on the Park Gallery Lakeland, FL 2007 Reduced Curated by Kurt Piazza West Tampa Center for the Arts 2007 Gala Corina Illuminaciones Tampa, FL 2007 West Tampa Center for the Arts Juried Exhibition Curated by Tracy Midulla 2007 Platform Florida Art Party #10 Art, film, fashion, sound & performance Fusion Lakeland, FL Curated by Ann Wilson and Richard Pearson 2007 Platform Florida Art Party #9 Art, film, fashion, sound & performance Fusion Lakeland, FL Curated by Ann Wilson, Richard Pearson and Erica Schmidt 2004-2006 Art for Life-Tampa Silent Auction 2003 Film Spirits in Color Ybor Festival of the Moving Image Ybor City School of Visual and Performing Arts Tampa, FL, Festival Director: David Audet Awards 2007 Best in Show Platform Florida #10 Curated by Tampa Museum of Art Curator, Ken Rollins 1994 Purchase Award In the Collection of: Hillsborough Community College, Ybor Campus Dancers with the earth ink jet (computer generated image). 1995 Galleria of Hillsorough Community College,Ybor Campus Awarded 1st place in Sculpture and honorable mentions. 1995 Florida Community College Activities Association Publications Division Galleria-Hillsborough Community College, Awarded Second Place, Cover-Division B, Humanities Magazine Competition â€˜95 1991 Received Scholarship for Fine Arts Hillsborough Community College, Ybor Campus Publications 2003 Weekly Planet http://www.weeklyplanet.com/2003-09-25/pundit_art2.html 2001-2002 Hyde Park Fine Arts Web Page HYPERLINK ‘http://www.circusposterus.com’ www.circusposterus.com 1999 April 1-7 Weekly Planet (Happenings) Featured photo of untitled monotype. Journalist: Kelli K 1996 Galleria Vol. XXVI, Hillsborough Community College, pgs. 16,28. 1995 Galerria Vol. XXV, Hillsborough Commminity College, Cover design, pgs. 13,21.

Yetta Bednarz & Diego Iglesias

Music

The Gala Singers are one of the most sought after dynamic singing duos from Tampa. They specialize in Broadway, Classical Crossover/ Popera (Andrea Bocelli/Josh Groban hits, Modern Music, Opera (popular arias and duets), Religious Music (Classical, Hymns and Spirituals) and Traditional Italian Music (Contemporary and Neapolitan songs). We perform for anniversaries, award ceremonies, banquets, birthday parties, concerts, cocktail hours, corporate events, funerals, galas, high-end private parties, holiday parties, Italian night (singing cooking shows), private-social events, Quinceañeras, receptions, and weddings. Biography: Yetta Mae Bednarz (Dramatic Coloratura) earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Temple University and Master in Music and Voice Performance from University of South Florida. She has performed operatic roles in Candide, Don Giovanni, Gianni Schicci and the Mikado and in oratorios The Seven Last Words and the Messiah. She has performed in various concerts throughout Philadelphia, New York and, St. Petersburg, and Tampa Bay area. She has performed with opera companies in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Tampa and St. Petersburg. She sang with Opera Tampa Chorus in the Andrea Bocelli concert at Tampa Forum, guest soloist to sing at a Professional Bodybuilding show at Straz Center, The Salon de Gala of Marital Arts Awards Ceremony in St. Petersburg, and at a private induction for the Mayor of Tampa. Her most recent engagements include highlights from Phantom of the Opera and Madame Butterfly with the Pinellas Park Civic Orchestra and with the Spanish Lyric Theater. Diego Sebastian Iglesias, (Argentine Tenor) began his music studies at Bellas Artes “Carlos Morel” School Music Conservatory. He has studied with Carmen Sensaud and Dante Ranieri. He has performed with the great Argentine director Armando Krieger and the acclaimed Spanish director Giorgio Paganini. He has sang in various concerts throughout Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Area. He has performed at Colon Theater (Teatro Colon), Avenida Theater and Roma Theater in Argentina, at the Straz Center with Opera Tampa and at the historical Centro Asturiano de Ybor and HCC Ybor Theater with Spanish Lyric Theater. He also sang with Opera Tampa Chorus in the Andrea Bocelli concert at the Tampa Forum and other various productions, and received a prestigious award for artistic quality in the world at the Salon de Gala of Martial Arts Ceremony.

Richard DiPietra

Theatre; Writing

Richard DiPietra is proud to have spent most of his life entertaining the people of his home town in productions like True West; Battery; A Lie of the Mind; Orphans; El Grande de Coca Cola and Tracers, which was also performed at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. He spent several years in New York, training, performing and studying with William Hickey. He then took time out to raise a family before returning to local stages with “I am a Cuban Sandwich”.

Hope Donnelly

Dance; Teaching Artist/Instructor; Visual Arts: 2D; Creative Consultant

As a native Floridian with over 20 years in the Tampa Bay area, a lifelong dancer, wanderer, community connector, creative, and mentor, my art is a celebration of movement, contrasts, and color. Featuring dancers, flora, and mandalas, my pieces often span multiple canvases with a bold color palette of both acrylic and oil paint to explore form and composition. The creative process is therapeutic for me but the results are an effort to add beauty into the world in which they live, which I hope are appreciated as just that.

Bob Dorsey

Music

One of Valrico’s few contemporary artists. I’m a self-portrait artist and experimental sound maker. I’m looking for other locals to collaborate with in some type of creative activities in this area and beyond.

Janna Doughty

Visual Arts: 2D

It is rare for people to do what they love in life or dream big. Someone once told me that I need to believe in myself and dream big. I have had a passion for the arts since I was a child, drawing with oil pastels, or trying pen and ink illustration for the first time. I love doing various types of visual art, but painting is where I find the most joy. I have a focus in contemporary modern art with emphasis on portraits and landscapes. The great thing about art is pushing yourself to try new subjects, experiment with new mediums. Art is all around us inspiring us to feel something, to see something, to touch something…In the end I want to inspire you as I am every day.

Anne Drewry

After teaching math, history, and literature in a private school in Tampa for twenty-one years, I decided to turn to painting, an activity which had intrigued me for years. Beginning with acrylics and soon turning to watercolor, I experimented with the many acrylic and watercolor mediums available, took painting workshops and classes, and joined the Florida Watercolor Society as well as several local art groups. I am a member of the FloridaWatercolor Society, a signature member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters and of the International Society of Experimental Artists, active in local art groups,past member of the Hillsborough County Arts Council, a member of Studio Friday, a group of professional artists who paint and exhibit together on the west coast of Florida, and President of the Greater Brandon Arts Council. Most often I combines mediums in my work in order to produce paintings with intensity and strength as well as nuances in texture and color. My palette is often accentuated with the use of white paint to produce opaques and create depth. One painting may be finished in a matter of a few days while others may take weeks or months to come to completion. I am a firm believer that no piece of paper be a wasted piece of paper and I recycle old or unfinished pieces by using gesso or other undercoatings to prepare for a new beginning. My interests include travel and photography as well as fostering community involvement in the arts, giving art demonstrations, and teaching watermedia to school children as a volunteer. Besides paintings, I creates original notecards incorporating unusual papers, hand-marbled paper, original art work, and embossing techniques. My work has been exhibited at the Beach Art Center, Indian Rocks, Florida; Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Center, Brandon, Florida; The Brandon News Office; Old Hyde Park Art Center, Tampa, Florida; the Strawberry Festival, Plant City, Florida; the Gulf Coast Art Museum, Largo, Florida; Barnes and Noble, Naples, Florida; University Community Hospital, Tampa, Florida; and at Watermedia 2003, Houston, Texas, April 2003. Her work is in collections throughout the United States and has won many awards as well.

Lora Duguay

Visual Arts: 2D

Lora Duguay has been creative since childhood, but when her life was affected by Post Polio Syndrome, her hobby became her full time career. Her artistic creativity has been focused on the cultural beauty of indigenous tribes, nature, and iconography. Her art has been exhibited in various museums and galleries throughout the United States. Lora’s main focus in the past several years has been the Art of Miniature. She is a member of The Association of Miniature Artists. Mediums include oil, colored pencil, scratchboard and photography. Lora was also a member of VSA Florida, having participated on their Board of Directors, as well as Artist in Residency Program. It is Lora’s desire to not only bring pleasure to the viewers eye, but to evoke emotion, memories and pleasant thoughts.

Illsol Duo

Visual Arts

Michelle Sawyer and Tony Krol are a husband / wife team working in Tampa Florida under the moniker Illsol. The name “Illsol” combines “Sawyer, Krol” while referencing the spanish word for “sun” (noting Michelle’s half-cuban heritage) and prefixed with a hip-hop term made popular by the Beastie Boys, yes there was that much thought put into it. Michelle’s work is clean-lined, often symmetrical, and bold, while Tony’s work is often distressed, layered, and muted at times. Their work together is in the realm of large murals and installation projects in which final pieces are subtly textured with overlaying clear images and bold lines. Illsol Space: In 2017 Illsol started a contemporary art gallery in Tampa Heights to give local and international artists a fresh artist-curated place to show work. The goal of the venue is to build up the existing local art community and provide a way for Tampa Bay to be exposed to quality art through a laid-back experience. Classes, workshops, and events for children will also be a part of the monthly schedule of events. Giving back to the community they live and work in is a priority.

Tommy Durham

Visual Arts: 2D

Tommy is an emerging artist whose artwork has been said to be reminiscent of Chagall’s compositions and Picasso’s figures. When Tommy was a young boy, he contracted spinal meningitis. During his seven-month recovery, he began to fill his time by drawing. Today, his love of art and his deep religious faith sustains him. In the beginning, he painted flowers exclusively, but he expanded his range to use other materials and to explore other subjects. Tommy began to paint biblical scenes to which he then added his flowers. His paintings start with pencil drawings. He then uses acrylic and ink, sometimes adding text at the end.

Erin Durkin

Visual Arts

Hello! My name is Erin. I’m a painter and illustrator native to Florida. I graduated from the University of South Florida in 2017. I’ve always loved art and creating. I’m inspired by nature, light, color and everyday life. My mediums include acrylic and oil paints as well as Procreate for digital work. I also love pets of all species and enjoy making custom pet portraits for others. Find more photos on my Instagram @erinhope.art Visit my shop http://erinhopeart.etsy.com

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