TESA exhibits fine artists from Tampa Bay in venues throughout the area.TESA is a member-driven professional nonprofit, 501 C3 organization whose purpose is to promote community awareness of and interest in all art forms. A membership in TESA provides individual artists opportunities to exhibit with other artists and helps them to gain the knowledge required to promote themselves in the arts community. Many of our members are also accomplished art educators in various mediums. Please visit our Artists Profiles for information on our artists and to view their work. Join us in encouraging emerging talent and celebrating our established and award-winning TESA artists.

The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic (PGDC) Race Weekend is a three-day celebration that includes an amazing Health & Fitness Expo, a 15K, 5K, Half Marathon, 8K, and four multi-event Challenges. Participants can enjoy breathtaking views along the flat, out-and-back waterfront course on beautiful Bayshore Blvd. After the race, there's a Q-105 Post Race Celebration along the Hillsborough River, including one free Michelob Ultra for all registered participants (21 years or older), live music, and an exciting awards presentation. All this while supporting the youth charitable organizations and youth running related and high school programs supported by the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To date, as a result of the 48-year-old PGDC Race Weekend, the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association has donated over $6.5 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, the Friends of Tampa Recreation and youth running related and high school programs.

Ybor Chamber’s Fiesta Day is a family-friendly, FREE “street festival” celebration commemorates the Cuban, Italian, Spanish, Jewish and German immigrants that settled in Ybor City in the late 1800’s as the cigar factories thrived. Fiesta Day attracts families and people of all ages. The event originally started as a “verbena” or day of rest for the cigar workers who settled in Ybor City’s “Cigar City Capital of the World” from Spain, Cuba, Germany and Italy. It now attracts thousands of passionate people to the festival’s exquisite ethnic food and entertainment. Ybor City’s famed “La Setima” or 7th Avenue is closed to traffic and the festival celebrates the “Best of Ybor” and includes ethnic food, arts & crafts, and music on our 7th Avenue Stage.

This special evening brings together Broadway Ball and Opera Tampa Grand Gala for a one-of-a-kind celebration of Broadway, opera, dance, music and arts education – all of the transformational artistic foundations the Straz delivers best. Begin the evening with cocktails and a silent auction before moving to Morsani stage for a gourmet dinner prepared by our chefs at Maestro’s. You’ll have a chance to bid on unforgettable bespoke items and experiences at the live auction. And you’ll thrill to powerful live performances throughout the evening. Top off your night with desserts and dancing in the lobby. The Gala raises vital funds in support of our world-class programs that inspire and uplift our community.

Event Highlights: - A scenic 5K run/walk for participants of all ages and fitness levels - Health and wellness expo featuring local vendors, free health screenings, and educational workshops - Fun activities for the whole family Why Participate? This event supports Hearts of Valor Inc.’s mission to raise awareness and provide vital support for individuals living with cardiovascular disease through education, financial assistance, and community engagement. Your participation makes a difference!

The Pin Party is an annual bowling fundraiser benefiting the youth in foster care at Joshua House, a local non-profit organization that provides a safe haven for children in foster care that have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. All proceeds raised from the event go directly to provide therapeutic wrap-around services and life enrichment activities for the children and teens in care at Joshua House. Participants will enjoy bowling, facepainting, balloon artist, 50/50 and silent auction and more!

Save The Kids Roaring 20's Gala Come join us for a night of glitz and glamour at The Orlo House & Ballroom! Get ready to step back in time to the Roaring 20's with our fabulous gala. Dress to impress in your best 1920's attire and enjoy a night of music, dancing, and fun. Help us raise funds to support children in need while having a blast. Don't miss out on this unforgettable event!

Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla will celebrate their conquest of Tampa with a festive celebration that will include live music and merriment, as Tampa’s favorite pirates make ready to leave the city from Sparkman Wharf! Situated along Garrison Channel in downtown Tampa, Sparkman Wharf (615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602) is Tampa’s new outdoor waterfront destination. It celebrates the best of Tampa – good weather, waterfront views, music, craft beer, and exceptional dining.

For half a century, artists and art lovers from all parts of the country migrated annually to the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, where the country’s most accomplished artists and rising stars vie for nearly $100,000 in prize money and scholarships, including the $15,000 Raymond James Best of Show Award. The March 2025 Festival will showcase artists and their work to include ceramic, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and wood. This event will also feature the works of local young artists and a weekend full of live entertainment.  

The event kicks off with a social hour, offering attendees an opportunity to network and learn more about the organization’s mission. Following a delicious lunch, guests will hear inspiring stories from families whose lives have been transformed by a fulfilled dream. The highlight of the afternoon will be the paddle raise, where attendees can directly contribute to bringing future dreams to life. Since its founding in 1981, the St. Petersburg-based nonprofit has fulfilled over 4,000 dreams for children across West Central Florida battling life-threatening illnesses. With over 170 children currently awaiting their dream-come-true, the Children’s Dream Fund relies on community support through events like the Dreammaker Luncheon to provide hope and joy to these children and their families. The Children’s Dream Fund is one of the oldest and most active independent wish-granting organizations in the United States. Serving children ages 3-21, the organization remains committed to making dreams a reality and creating lasting memories for those who need them most.

One of the largest Fine Art Festivals in Florida! Sponsored by the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce The 49th Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival, which is located in beautiful Craig Park , offers more than 150 exhibiting artists, selected by a Jury of discriminating art professionals. Visitors enjoy a full schedule of music, sample craft beers, and taste a variety of crowd-pleasing international foods.

Stirrup Hope is the annual fundraising gala for Quantum Leap Farm’s equine-assisted therapy programs. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, March 8th under a glowing Florida sunset. We expect 400 guests in Quantum’s riding arena again this year! Our theme this year is Disney’s Tangled, a movie based on the story of Rapunzel. Her story teaches us that although it may seem scary, adventuring out of your comfort zone may lead to great new experiences for you. Rapunzel’s journey – so closely parallels that of many of our veterans, pediatric cancer patients, and children and adults with special needs. They too are navigating a difficult and sometimes isolating journey, trying to find that place where they belong. Quantum is that place, and our gentle horses and professional staff are here to help them do just that! At Quantum, our dedicated staff, volunteers, and especially our generous donors are those friends that help our therapy participants See the Light!