Author

Nancy Vaughn

Nancy Vaughn's Latest Articles

Creative Fall Art, Culture Events Flourish In Tampa Bay, Florida
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Arts
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October 12, 2010

People living in the Tampa Bay region have always appreciated and supported the arts: paintings, sculpture, music, film and fashion. The result? Independent art events this fall season -- some brand new, some welcome repeats -- will keep the creative juices flowing as the weather cools, giving you lots of reasons to get out and partake. Here are a few:RefractoryCollaborative by Tampa Bay cultural activists that will feature the unveiling of the world's largest dream machine.Friday, Oct. 15.Armature, Historic Trolley Barn in TampaSuggested donation: $5November Foxtrot: Whiskey with Preston BeebeSaturday, Oct. 16, at 8pmTempus Projects in TampaCost: $5.More info: tempusprojects.art@gmail.comSecret Movie Lecture No. 4: Special Horror EditionFriday, Oct. 22, from 7-11pmTempus Projects in TampaSuggested donation: $3Pecha Kucha V7Save the date: Friday, Nov. 5, 2010 More info: PK website.Bridge Street Market in BradentonLocal artisans, food vendors and entrepreneurs gather to promote businesses on and around Historic Bridge Street.Sunday, Nov. 7, from 10am-4pm More info: BSM Facebook page.Writer: Nancy Vaughn Source: Various art show producers

USF Helps Develop First See-Thru SolarWindow
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Education
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September 14, 2010

Even if you decide to look out the window and daydream, the new SolarWindow will be getting some work done. SolarWindow is a brand new technology that will transform natural and artificial light sources into power sources. Developed by New Energy Technologies, the SolarWindow is the first of its kind to generate electricity on see-thru glass. Until now, solar panels have been opaque, blocking visibility and preventing light from passing through glass surfaces.How is electrical power generated? Through a patent-pending process that allows SolarWindow coatings to be sprayed onto glass at room temperature. This eliminates high-temperature or high-vacuum production methods that are commonly used by current solar manufacturers. The next step for New Energy researchers is to work on developing low-cost production methods, improved manufacturing ability and increased power performance to enable SolarWindow to be a truly sustainable product. New methods and technologies will be implemented moving forward and the working prototype of the SolarWindow will serve as the model for future advancements in various surface coating techniques. Xiaomei Jiang, lead researcher at the Department of Physics at the University of South Florida, has been working with the world's smallest working organic solar cells, which enabled her to generate electricity on see-thru glass. Jiang's work and collaboration of the physics lab research team helped New Energy Technologies to develop an early stage prototype of SolarWindow. "Over the past year-plus, among other progress, we have made significant strides with efficiency and power output thanks to the SolarWindow(tm) team at USF led by Dr. Xiaomei Jiang," says John Conklin, president and chief executive officer of New Energy Technologies, Inc. "This working prototype demonstrates a first-of-its kind technology that utilizes both natural and artificial light sources and is the result of a seamless partnership that we look forward to continuing to bring this game-changing technology to the commercial market."On Thursday, Sept. 16, at 2:30 p.m., a small-scale SolarWindow prototype will be publicly unveiled at USF. The demonstration will be led by Jiang, and the event will be hosted by John A. Conklin, president and chief executive officer of New Energy Technologies.The event will be held in the Science Center (SCA) Board Room & Research Laboratory (411 & 421), where both natural and artificial light will be used as power sources for the demonstration.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: John Conklin, New Energy Technologies, Inc.

Milk Party Tour For Children Makes Stops In Tampa Bay Region
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Environment
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September 7, 2010

Who knew milk and cookies could have such an impact? The Children's Movement of Florida, a nonpolitical advocacy group that champions positive change for Florida's children, began a series of Milk Party Tours on Labor Day in Pensacola. The tours, ending in Key West on Sept. 30, are designed to call attention to the top five issues impacting children today: access to health insurance and quality healthcare; screening and treatment for special needs; quality of pre-kindergarten opportunities; high quality mentoring programs; and support and information for parents skill-building."The folks who are leading the Milk Party Tours, David Lawrence, Jr. and others, have been researching this for the past 20 months," says Martin Merzer, communications director and spokesperson for the Children's Movement of Florida. "For the last 10 years David has been truly one of the leading children's advocates around the country. He created Children's Trust in Miami-Dade and was active in many other children's advocacy programs in the state, and the team has been researching [information for the Milk Party Tours] for 20 months with meetings, surveys and raising money."There will be 15 tour stops around the state. The tour will come to Tampa, Sept. 16; Lakeland, Sept. 17; St. Petersburg, Sept. 20; and Sarasota and Bradenton, Sept. 21.Each Milk Party is expected to be as different as the local steering committees that managed the tour process. Entertainment, activities and speakers will vary by location, however, Lawrence and a few core advocates will be present at each Milk Party.The Children's Movement of Florida doesn't endorse political candidates and raises its own funds from foundations and private contributors. The statewide steering committee, which acts as the board of directors, includes 12 Republicans, 12 Democrats and 3 Independents."The simple message is: Children should become a higher priority when state leaders allocate existing funds," says Merzer.The Milk Party Tours are open to any and everyone. Of course, healthy cookies and 2% milk will be served.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Martin Merzer, Children's Movement of Florida

Tampa Celebrates First Annual Veg Fest, Sustainability
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Environment
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September 7, 2010

Eating your veggies has never been done festival style, at least not in Tampa Bay.The first annual Tampa Bay Veg Fest will be hosted at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Longtime vegetarian, vegans and anyone interested in learning more about sustainable and healthy food alternatives, are encouraged to attend. "We're trying to actually raise awareness about all of the benefits of a vegetarian diet, which includes people's health and support of a compassionate diet," says John Moyer, board member of Florida Voices for Animals. "There are a lot of these factory farms in place right now where the way the animals are treated is just horrendous."Florida Voices for Animals are the organizers of this first-time event. The organization is an all volunteer, nonprofit, grassroots organization whose mission is to educate the public on how to make compassionate choices on behalf of non-human animals and to support and encourage vegetarians and vegans in the Tampa Bay region and beyond.Guest speakers at Veg Fest include: MacKenzie Green, Miss District of Columbia USA 2010; Amy Hatkoff, author; and Sophia Erlsten, M.Ed., humane education presenter. Artists will be featured, specializing in everything from watercolor and acrylic paintings to vegan-friendly, mixed media arts and crafts, plus live music and entertainment.Veg Fest 2010 is accepting applications for their Artists' Corner. Interested participants may contact Amber Simpson at asimp333@yahoo.com. For a list of participating vendors, click here. From eco-friendly exhibitors and restaurants to fun games for kids and dog and cat adoption services, attendees can expect to be educated and entertained.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: John Moyer, Florida Voices for Animals

Tampa’s Straz Center Creates Next Generation Ballet For Ages 16-21
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Arts
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August 31, 2010

The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts has created another opportunity to develop young talent and launch them into stardom. The Next Generation Ballet (NGB), founded by Peter Stark, a renowned international coach of ballet and chair of the dance department at Patel Conservatory, will nurture the development and careers of talented, young dancers and audiences. Ballet patrons will have an opportunity to experience these young dancers who are being groomed for professional employment through high levels of instruction, coaching and performance opportunities led by Stark, who is serving as NGB's artistic director."It's really thrilling for me," says an enthusiastic Stark. "Basically we are starting a ballet company and modeling it from something that really hasn't been done in the ballet community."The idea for NGB is a hybrid between a youth ballet company and a professional ballet company. It is modeled after the successful New World Symphony in Miami, which combines professionally trained musicians with students in the area of classical music. For the upcoming 2010-2011 season, NGB will feature eight apprentice dancers, 12 trainee dancers and the most accomplished students from Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet.This new concept will allow audiences to experience local talent and dance that is of international quality. Apprentice dancers can participate with NGB for two to four years and will dance in two annual productions. "We have some really exciting talent and what is great about being at the Straz Center is that we have its backing and incredible theaters, really amazing sets and costumes for the productions that we are putting on stage," says Stark, who taught ballet in Orlando for 10 years before moving to Tampa. Five families of Stark's students have already relocated to the Tampa Bay region so their teens can participate in this company.First season NGB dancers will be featured in The Nutcracker this December, along with guest artists from New York City Ballet and Boston Ballet. One of Stark's former students ,Jeffrey Cirio, won the Princess Grace Award and will be a guest performer in the Nutcracker. First auditions for The Nutcracker were held on Aug. 28, and a second audition is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11. The NGB will also perform in A Midsummer Night's Dream on May 14, 2011.Writer: Nancy Vaughn and Mandy ErfourthSource: Peter Stark, Next Generation Ballet & Patel Conservatory

Tampa Artist Creates 3D Art, Draws Inspiration From Ancestors
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Arts
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August 24, 2010

Elio Lopez comes from a family of inspirational movers and shakers. That inspiration is reflected in his work as an artist, and his most recent painting captures the important roles his grandfathers played in Ybor City's cigar industry. Wilfredo Rodriguez, Lopez's Cuban maternal grandfather, has been documented as the last surviving lector. A lector was hired by cigar workers to read aloud the news and literature to keep them current on what was happening in their industry and the world. Cigar factory management and elected officials frowned upon the reading in the workplace and attempted to abolish the practice in an effort to gain more control of the workers. Servando Lopez was Lopez's Spanish paternal grandfather and a master cigar maker in Tampa. Servando was active in politics and is known for creating the first unionization in Ybor City's cigar factories. The successful formation of the union was also the end of lectors in cigar factories. Management agreed to the unionization as long as the lectors were dismissed. Like a tragic story, the beginning of one good thing came at the demise of another good thing. Paying homage to his grandfathers, Lopez has painted "El Lector" to share their story and celebrate the wins that were achieved by both of their efforts in historic Ybor City's cigar industry."I always wanted to honor my grandfathers for what they did," says Lopez. "I don't believe they ever got the recognition they deserve for what they contributed to this city."Aside from the history and story-telling that is encompassed in this painting, Lopez has also used a 3D painting technique and further explored a collage effect in the artwork. Lopez is known for his invention of the resist painting technique, where the artwork begins by drawing the negative space instead of the positive space (the outline around the subject is the negative space). In El Lector, Lopez uses a unique molding compound called moulage (French for mold), which adds to the uniqueness of the painting. Moulage is an eco-friendly mold made from seaweed that is non-toxic, can be used repeatedly and is safe to put on the skin."The environment is very important to me. A lot of art materials can be rather bad for the environment. This is a way to get the best of both worlds," says Lopez. "I can keep myself pushing techniques forward, but at the same time I'm doing my part to keep the environment safe."El Lector will be unveiled at the Louise & Arnold Kotler Art Gallery in the John F. Germany Library on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. His painting launch also serves as a celebration of National Literacy Month, highlighting the importance of the literacy movement among Cuban, Italian and Spanish immigrant who worked Ybor City's cigar factories, as well as Hispanic Heritage Month.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Elio Lopez, artist

Join The Chit Chat, Pecha Kucha Volume 6 In Tampa
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Arts
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August 24, 2010

The creative show with the often mispronounced name, Pecha Kucha, will host Volume 6 on Friday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m., in the Lafayette Room at Mise En Place.After a call for presenters, a two-minute presentation is given to Kenneth Cowart, Pecha Kucha Tampa Bay organizer.The 20 image, 20-second presentation style program has brought together a diverse roster of presenters for Pecha Kucha V6. "It's [Pecha Kucha] evolving to get people from all different walks of life," says Cowart. "I'm pretty inclusive about who can present. As long as it's not a direct advertisement for their company, and it's a new, unique idea or something that someone else might be interested in. Anyone who wants to talk about something they're passionate about."For instance, Jereme Monette is an AP world history and philosophy honors teacher at Plant City High School who is passionate about educational travel. "The reason I like attending [Pecha Kucha] is because it's such a neat way to share ideas, kind of a cultural exchange. A place where people who care about Tampa, St. Pete and the surrounding areas can get together and really kind of discuss ways that we can make the area better, or more importantly, ways that we are making the area better."Monette will present for the first time at Pecha Kucha V6. He wants to share the amazing impact that educational travel can have on students and the community in general. "It's one of those things where it's difficult to appreciate how valuable mass transportation can be for a community or a high speed rail until you've kind of gone off and experienced a place firsthand and seen how amazingly helpful it can be and how it can improve the infrastructure of an area."Other participants include: Hadrian Alegarbes - environmentWendy Babcox - photographic artistDavid Bailey - architect John Dollus - 3D realizationLeslie Elsasser - 2D artistBruce Monroe - artistTed Van Cleave - photographic artistAdmission to the Pecha Kucha V6 event is $5, and you can RSVP on Facebook. The next Pecha Kucha Tampa Bay event is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 22, 2010.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Kenneth Cowart, Jereme Monette, Pecha Kucha

America’s Ballet School Holds Auditions For The Nutcracker Performances
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Arts
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August 17, 2010

For most of us, August is a little early to be thinking about the upcoming winter holiday season, but auditions are being held now for the classic Nutcracker ballet performances scheduled in December.  The America's Ballet School based in Tampa hosted its first audition on Aug. 14. A second audition will be held later this month on Saturday, Aug. 28, at the America's Ballet School studios. Dancers as young as 5-years-old are invited to audition, be trained and appear on stage in the Nutcracker performances. The experience is a coveted one for many dancers as the America's Ballet School has won the Outstanding School Award for the past three years at the Youth American Grand Prix, the world's largest student ballet competition. Students who have trained under the direction of internationally acclaimed dancer, Paula Nunez, the Artistic Director and founder of America's Ballet School, have gone on to accomplish their own dance achievements. For instance, James Applewhite of Blake High School attended the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre on scholarship; Asia Bui received a scholarship to dance at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton; and Billy Elliot received a full scholarship to attend the summer intensive at the American Ballet Theatre. All were students at the America's Ballet School.While no prior dance experience is necessary, students from various ballet schools throughout Florida attend the auditions. Auditions may be booked by calling 813-558-0800."Auditions are an exciting time because new talent surfaces and students often discover their love for the art," says Nunez. Selected performers will dance in America's Ballet School production of the Nutcracker. "Performance dates are scheduled for Dec. 9-11, 2010 at the Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts, and we're tentatively scheduled to perform at the University of South Florida on Dec. 12, 2010," says Nunez.Enrollment for the fall semester at America's Ballet School begins August 24 and classes begin August 30. Another important dance event to remember is the Youth America Grand Prix Ballet Competition, which will be hosted in Tampa this year from October 21-24.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Paula Nunez, America's Ballet School

University of Tampa Freshman Will Study In England This Fall
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Diversity & Equity
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August 17, 2010

What if your first year away from home and in the college scene involved actual trips to Buckingham Palace? Trafalger Square? Stonehenge and The Tower of London?    This fall, college freshman at the University of Tampa will have an opportunity to experience that and more in UT's new Freshman Abroad program."One of the academic reasons we've been pursuing this program is because we think it's a valuable experience for students to spend a semester abroad, but over the last 20-30 years or so, certain majors have gotten more and more prescriptive of what they require of students when they come in," says Kevin Beach, associate dean of the baccalaureate experience who is helping to coordinate the program. "Once a student starts on campus, if they're in one of those majors, perhaps the sciences, education, nursing, it's very difficult for those students to take a semester off, then come back and reintegrate into the program."For this reason, the Freshman Abroad program allows select students to experience studying abroad before getting rooted into their major. Beach says by sending first year students, they're not as indoctrinated into their programs yet and they feel like they have a little more freedom to get out and experience this opportunity.While a few other universities across the country have freshman study abroad programs, this will be UT's first. Approximately 30 students will be studying at Roehampton University in southwest London. Participation in the program allows students to also fulfill some of their general education requirements. Beach says Freshman Abroad is also a way to attract and catch the attention of really good students and introduce them to the exceptional program offerings at UT.Olivia Doctor will be one of the first participants in UT's Freshman Abroad program this fall. She graduated from Rutherford High School in Panama City in June 2010 and says she is excited to be one of the students accepted to participate. "I'm looking forward to just being in England, meeting new people and experiencing the culture. It's a great opportunity and it's going to be a lot of fun!" says Doctor. She also mentioned she was really pleased that all scholarships transferred and it didn't cost extra to participate.UT's Freshman Abroad program invites the most academically qualified students to participate. "We want to make sure these students are real ambassadors of the United States, and ambassadors of the University of Tampa," says Beach.

Patel Conservatory, Tampa Prep: 2 Great Talents Will Dance, Sing, Act Together
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Arts
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August 10, 2010

The Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and Tampa Preparatory School have been brewing up a partnership that will benefit students and community members alike.Starting later this month, the Patel Conservatory will offer the Patel Conservatory at Tampa Preparatory as an extended campus situated onsite at Tampa Preparatory School. Instructors from the Patel Conservatory will teach dance to Tampa Preparatory students as part of their graded curriculum. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Patel Conservatory outreach experiences, including workshops and master classes. Selected classes will be available to the public. "It's such a perfect win-win situation," says Wendy Leigh, vice president of education at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center). "We both have similar visions of the synergy we can achieve." The collaboration begins with dance and the students at Tampa Prep will have guidance from an acclaimed dance instructor. Patel Conservatory recently hired Peter Stark as the dance chair for the department. Stark was formerly with the Orlando Ballet School, which has historically been voted the best school in the nation under Stark's direction. The relationship between the two schools began years ago through informal meet and greets, and "by working that six degrees of separation." "That's when great things happen. When you have a small dedicated group that's working on something, having great communication back and forth, and dreaming big," says Kevin Plummer, head of Tampa Preparatory. "We had a group of people that really believe that the arts are an asset and an enhancement and definer of humanity. And that's a great place to be."In December 2009, the two schools started to identify resources that could be shared and could enhance the other institution. "We started to dream big about education and we started to talk about what was possible for kids in Tampa," says Plummer. "We said that we had to develop a program that can be a model that can grow." Plummer shared that during one of their conversations, they talked about the potential for having a performance with dance, music, acting, and, if possible, at every high school in Hillsborough County. Students at Tampa Prep begin school on Aug. 19, 2010. An announcement will go out the week prior informing families of the strategic partnership. "We're building for the future, not just for this year. There's some real opportunities here for the students to be exposed to some of the best dancers in the country, actors, best musicians. It's a chance for the professionals at our school to work with the professionals across the river," says Plummer.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Wendy Leigh, Patel Conservatory; Kevin Plummer, Tampa Prep

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