Artists and Writers Ball
Encyclopedia
The Artists and Writers Ball was founded in the late 70's in Tampa, FL by Bud Lee (photographer)
, Peggy Lee, David Audet, Paul Wilborn, Jeff Dunlap, Beverly Coe, ebe Williams], Mary D. Scourtes and Charley Greacen as an alternative to the exclusive Gasparilla Pirate Festival
krewes
and parade.
Artists-in-Schools program. While working in the Artists-in-Schools program, Lee married art teacher Peggy Laseter and they moved into a storefront in Ybor City. At the time, Ybor City, a historic Cuban part of Tampa, was home to many working artist and Lee saw the opportunity to create an event that would bring all the creative energy of Ybor City and Tampa together. It would be the undergrounds alternative to the exclusive Gasparilla parties held by Tampa's social clubs.
The Artists and Writers Ball was to be an antidote or spoof of the Gasparilla parties. It was to be a themed costumed Ball that encouraged all to participate through action, spirit and costume. The first Ball,"Dante's Inferno" , was held in the ballroom at the historic Cuban Club in 1978. A local welder, Sam Parker, and entertainer, Ana Tampanna, were introduced as king and queen during a procession in which Tampanna paraded through the crowd in a peacock costume. The Artists and Writers Ball became an annual event with such themes as: "Cowboys and Indians in Love", "Bad Taste in Outer Space", "The Dizzy Dali Ball", " Calhoun's Little Hawaiian Circus for the Poor", and "The B.C. Ball" . It, also, expanded from the ballroom to encompass the entire four floors and patio of the Cuban Club attracting thousands of participants.
What little money was made went into other Artists and Writers Group activities, such as, a magazine called Tabloid, the Artists and Writers Cafe and a few variety shows,"Fellini's Birthday Party" and "The USO Show."
The Artists and Writers Ball eventually ended due to rising insurance rates.
In October 2006, a new incarnation of the Artists and Writers Group led by David Audet hosted its first ball,"The Reunion Ball", in 15 years.
Bud Lee (photographer)
Bud Lee is a Florida based photojournalist and artist. His photography has been published in Life, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Town & Country, and The New York Times Magazine...
, Peggy Lee, David Audet, Paul Wilborn, Jeff Dunlap, Beverly Coe, ebe Williams], Mary D. Scourtes and Charley Greacen as an alternative to the exclusive Gasparilla Pirate Festival
Gasparilla Pirate Festival
The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is an annual celebration held in the city of Tampa, Florida. Held each year in late January and hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa, it celebrates the apocryphal legend of José Gaspar , supposedly a Spanish pirate captain who operated in...
krewes
Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla
Founded in 1904, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, or YMKG, is Tampa, Florida's oldest and most prestigious krewe, or social organization. Each January, YMKG sponsors a festival called the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa re-enacting a pirate invasion of the city...
and parade.
Biography
In the late 70's, photographer Bud Lee moved to Tampa, FL as part of the National Endowment for the ArtsNational Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
Artists-in-Schools program. While working in the Artists-in-Schools program, Lee married art teacher Peggy Laseter and they moved into a storefront in Ybor City. At the time, Ybor City, a historic Cuban part of Tampa, was home to many working artist and Lee saw the opportunity to create an event that would bring all the creative energy of Ybor City and Tampa together. It would be the undergrounds alternative to the exclusive Gasparilla parties held by Tampa's social clubs.
The Artists and Writers Ball was to be an antidote or spoof of the Gasparilla parties. It was to be a themed costumed Ball that encouraged all to participate through action, spirit and costume. The first Ball,
What little money was made went into other Artists and Writers Group activities, such as, a magazine called Tabloid, the Artists and Writers Cafe and a few variety shows,
The Artists and Writers Ball eventually ended due to rising insurance rates.
In October 2006, a new incarnation of the Artists and Writers Group led by David Audet hosted its first ball,