Community Calendar

Encaustic paint, an ancient art medium made from melted wax and pigment, is incredibly versatile. There are so many ways it can be manipulated – painting, layering, embedding, incising, mark-making, and sculpting, just to name a few. Whether this is your first foray into the medium or you’re an experienced encaustic artist, together we will explore the world of encaustics and take your work to the next level! This eight-week course for beginning and advanced students will focus on incising, layering, mark-making, pigment sticks, mixed media collage, mono-types, and 3D works. Come join us for a waxy adventure!

Ages 55+ | Beginner-Intermediate Level

Wednesdays, Sep 10 - Nov 15 | 1:00–4:00 PM (8 classes)
(No class 10/8)

Go nose to nose with Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops, in an immersive and playful dinosaur exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Downtown Tampa. Whether you have a child at home or not, all are welcome to visit this colossal exhibit, 66 million years in the making.

La Grande Illusion is a major exhibition of works by internationally acclaimed artist, Brian Maguire. The exhibition spans two decades of work that spotlights the artist’s lifelong quest to draw attention to global injustices, war, and human rights. One of Ireland's leading cultural figures, Maguire has turned the practice and tradition of painting into acts of visual testimony. Maguire’s paintings are global in scope and are derived from projects undertaken between 2007 and 2024 in Mexico, the Mediterranean, Syria, Sudan, the United States, and the Amazon. Maguire's artworks are painted from direct experience and involve the artist spending extensive time on the ground with the communities that welcome him. The results are, plainly put, paintings that visualize the commonality of human suffering and dramatize the plight of people in need.

Pangarap: Espero Reimagined transforms The Maitland Art Center gallery into a canvas of speculative storytelling under Filipino artist Isobel Francisco. Inspired by Jules André Smith’s decision to establish an artist colony in Florida, Francisco envisions an alternate reality where this decision leads to 1937 Philippines. The exhibition features fictional artifacts and artworks to encourage viewers to explore the parallels and contrasts between this imagined scenario and the museum’s history. 'Pangarap,' meaning dream or vision in Filipino, invites audiences to reflect on the cultural impact of one artist’s decision in 1937 and beyond.

Go nose to nose with Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops, in an immersive and playful dinosaur exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Downtown Tampa. Whether you have a child at home or not, all are welcome to visit this colossal exhibit, 66 million years in the making.

La Grande Illusion is a major exhibition of works by internationally acclaimed artist, Brian Maguire. The exhibition spans two decades of work that spotlights the artist’s lifelong quest to draw attention to global injustices, war, and human rights. One of Ireland's leading cultural figures, Maguire has turned the practice and tradition of painting into acts of visual testimony. Maguire’s paintings are global in scope and are derived from projects undertaken between 2007 and 2024 in Mexico, the Mediterranean, Syria, Sudan, the United States, and the Amazon. Maguire's artworks are painted from direct experience and involve the artist spending extensive time on the ground with the communities that welcome him. The results are, plainly put, paintings that visualize the commonality of human suffering and dramatize the plight of people in need.

Pangarap: Espero Reimagined transforms The Maitland Art Center gallery into a canvas of speculative storytelling under Filipino artist Isobel Francisco. Inspired by Jules André Smith’s decision to establish an artist colony in Florida, Francisco envisions an alternate reality where this decision leads to 1937 Philippines. The exhibition features fictional artifacts and artworks to encourage viewers to explore the parallels and contrasts between this imagined scenario and the museum’s history. 'Pangarap,' meaning dream or vision in Filipino, invites audiences to reflect on the cultural impact of one artist’s decision in 1937 and beyond.

Learn, Tour & Share

Bring your senior group for a tour of 1890s rural Florida history! This program offers a unique opportunity for adults ages 60+ to enjoy an interactive tour of the museum and grounds. Visit historic homes and structures authentic to turn-of-the-20th-century Florida, including the Okahumpka Train Depot, Terry General Store, Castalia School House and more.

Advanced ticket purchase required.

https://www.crackercountry.org/events/grandminds-nov142025

The Tampa Bay History Center will host its annual gala Friday, Nov. 14 under the leadership of chair couple Duncan and Jessica Belser, who return for a second year. The evening’s theme, “Something in the Air: Celebrating Our Civilian and Military Aviation History,” will guide the night.

Rather than speeches, a formal program or auctions, guests will enjoy live music and open bars while taking in terrace views of the Tampa Riverwalk and sampling buffets from the Columbia Café throughout the museum’s galleries.

Attire is black tie; aviators are optional. Ticket options include patron, individual and young professional for those under 40, each offering varying levels of recognition and a charitable donation component. Sponsorship opportunities range from platinum to silver, offering exclusive benefits and acknowledgment.

For those unable to attend but wishing to contribute, donations are another way to support the gala and its chairs. All donations are 100% charitable. Proceeds benefit the History Center’s student and education programs, many of which are offered free to the community thanks to donor support.

About Tampa Bay History Center

The Tampa Bay History Center is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Tampa Bay region. The center offers exhibits, educational programs and events that engage learners of all ages. For more information, visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.

Go nose to nose with Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops, in an immersive and playful dinosaur exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Downtown Tampa. Whether you have a child at home or not, all are welcome to visit this colossal exhibit, 66 million years in the making.