FIVE by FIVE 2015 Brings Multi-Dimensional Arts Party to Tampa Museum of Art Tonight

FIVE by FIVE 2015, a multi-dimensional celebration of the arts, returns to the Tampa Museum of Art tonight, Oct. 16, 8-11 pm. The fourth annual event, presented by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, includes dynamic performances by professional musicians, actors, poets and dancers throughout the evening, as well as an international exhibition of artwork. It is the largest single night event held at the museum, attracting more than 900 art enthusiasts last year.

New this year is a limited edition raffle for a signed James Rosenquist print, The Meteor Hits Picasso's Bed. The work is #12 of only 28 artist proofs and was donated by the artist in support of the Arts Council's programs that assist professional and emerging artists. Tickets are available on the night of the event only. Proceeds benefit the Arts Council's work with individual artists.

Performances will again be in the event's pop-up club where acoustics are better and audiences have a more intimate experience with area performers. Among the performers in the Oct. 16 evening are the Kuumba Dancers & Drummers, Lucha Libro Tampa Bay, Monday Monday tribute band, writer Sasenarine Persaud, dancers from Shoes at the Door, SoHo Indigo jazz and Yellowish Blue. Check the event site as others are added.

Nearly 600 pieces of art will be in the exhibition and include painting, drawing, etching, wood sculpture, metal sculpture, clay, mosaic, glass, metal, photography, fabric, mixed media and more. In addition to the contributions of work from hundreds of Bay area artists, artwork this year came from the Republic of Armenia, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Malta, Spain and the UK, as well as from 17 states across the nation.

Buyers of art pick work, which are displayed without attribution, for $25 each -- gambling on getting a piece by an established artist or just a cool collectible. The artist's names are kept secret and revealed to the buyer when purchased. Proceeds from art sales support programs for individual artists from the Arts Council.

Admission tickets can be purchased before the event through the Tampa Museum of Art. The $10 admission benefits the museum. Museum members are admitted free. FIVE by FIVE 2015 attendees may also visit the museum's XTO+J-C: Christo and Jeanne-Claude featuring works from the bequest of David C. Copley and organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

For more information about the Arts Council's FIVE by FIVE 2015, visit FivebyFiveTampaBay.com. A preview of work available for purchase and list of the performing artists is on the event site.