The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts invites you to celebrate their fifteenth year at  “15 Years Young—A Birthday Spectacular” on Friday, May 13th from 7-11p.m. Attendees wil enjoy cocktails, global cuisine, cotton candy, birthday cake, live art installations, entertainment and the Leslie Joy Original photography exhibit 'Terima Kasih' in the Community Gallery. Terima Kasih means 'Thank You' in Indonesian; Ickowitz named her exhibit Terima Kasih as a way of expressing her depth of gratitude for having experienced Indonesia in such a profound way and for having met the orangutans she came in contact with during her visit. She is excited to play a part in the Museums big birthday bash saying, "It’s an honor to premier my Indonesia photography exhibit, ’Terima Kasih’ at FMoPA’s Birthday Spectacular."


Photo credit: Dr William Carson, Orthopaedic Surgeon

15 Years Young Celebrate Spectacularly with FMOPA Friday

The Mission of the Museum has been to exhibit important photographic art central to contemporary life and culture as a way to enrich and promote community. Offering workshops in photographic arts from Photography 101 to Interpretive Ways and Means, to their Fourth Friday events, Outreach Programs, Youth Services and unfailing support of photographers interested in meeting for the purpose of educating, inspiring, and assisting one another. The Museum is a huge benefit to Tampa Bay. Besides curating and exhibiting they present speakers, provide photo opportunities and programs designed to improve understanding and expertise in photography.

Recognizing the importance to FMOPA to the community we look forward to uncovering everything Leslie Joy Ickowitz has in-store for party goers this year as the event planner! Though Ickowitz is closely guarding secret surprises we did discover something wonderful! Locally-made Touch Vodka will be featured at the event. CEO of TOUCH Vodka, Dr. Ram Ramcharran had this to say about FMOPA's Birthday bash, "We are touched to have been invited to take part in this incredibly important event. Our ongoing commitment to organizations who are making an impact in the community allows us to showcase our locally-crafted, Fla.-sourced, vodkas with those who share our passion to give back and make a difference each and every day."

In addition to Touch Vodka we learned Anise Global Gastrobar and A Piece of Cake & Desserts to create a truly flavorful evening. She said, "All of this paired with the art and entertainment we have planned, should make the night a hit!”  

She dropped us a few other hints including dual open bars with cocktails from Touch Vodka and Twisted Sun Rum, as well as creative cuisine, style segments and live entertainment from Odd Sox, VYB Dance, the iLLectric Tampa Hoop Troupe and Cherry Von Topp!  She added, "Of course it would not be a birthday bash without a fabulous birthday cake and cotton candy!"  And then, remember, there is that BIG surprise! If you have never been to one of Leslie's parties, you need to go! 

The Details:

  • Friday May 13th, from 7 - 11 pm
  • General admission is $85 advance $100 at the door
  • At the Museum: 400 N. Ashley Drive, Cube 200 in Downtown Tampa

Local attorney Charles Levin, art dealer Vincent Sorrentino and business owner Cynthia L. Flowers as co-founders guided FMOPA through many changes since the early days in Hyde Park Village where the museum began life as the Tampa Gallery of Photographic Arts on Snow Circle. Back then Attorney Levin said he would love to see the venture “grow into a full scale fine arts photography museum.”  It's time to celebrate the realization of dreams, not only for the founders and financial supporters of the museum, the City of Tampa and the movers and shakers who sustain the museums programs but for the dreams of every person who picks up a camera and peers through the lens capturing a moment in time thinking, this is magic! 

Want to experience something fun, something different, a spectacular evening?  Plan to be there, join the party and celebrate spectacularly with FMOPA this Friday as they honor 15 years of fun, friends and photos at the big birthday bash!