October 15, 2025

Ybor City Welcomes Back Biannual Arts Tour

News Summary

The Ybor Arts Tour returns, showcasing the rich arts and culture of Ybor City on October 19th. Over two dozen venues will participate, including galleries, theaters, and local businesses, offering a self-guided experience for visitors. Organized by Kress Community and Programs Manager Mitzi Gordon, this free tour aims to revitalize interest in the local arts scene and encourage community engagement through various artistic presentations and exhibits.

Ybor City is set to welcome back the biannual Ybor Arts Tour on Thursday, October 19th, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.. This self-guided event will showcase the diverse arts and culture of Ybor City, featuring over two dozen venues across the area, including galleries, studios, theaters, restaurants, a hotel, and a brewery.

The tour is organized by Kress Community and Programs Manager Mitzi Gordon, aiming to promote Ybor City’s vibrant arts community while encouraging exploration of various artistic venues. Last year’s tour was launched to revitalize interest in the Ybor arts scene, which had seen reduced activity in recent years.

Significant locations participating in the tour include the Kress Contemporary, Hillsborough Community College’s Ybor campus, The Bricks, and several others. At the Kress, visitors can view various exhibits from Tempus Projects, Honey Gallery, Reverb Gallery, and the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. Additionally, the Coalition of Hispanic Artists will present “Heritage in Motion,” a performance featuring the artwork of five artists set to music.

As part of the Halloween festivities, Fringe Theatre will preview its upcoming haunted house experience during the tour at Kress on October 24th. Also, a special opening reception for “Arts Council Honors” will showcase the work of six artists who received grants from the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, taking place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the third floor of Kress, where a dozen artists’ studios will be open for public exploration.

Meanwhile, at HCC’s Ybor campus, students will present excerpts from forthcoming productions. The gallery will feature the hurricane-themed exhibit “In Case of Flood,” which aligns with current climate discussions in the community. New additions to the tour include LARA’s “Behind the Shelves Art Speakeasy” series and Sky Puppy Brewing, where local artist Rebekah Lazaridis will be showcased.

Mario Pérez’s “Open Doors to History” will be displayed at the Valencia Foyer at Hotel Haya from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Additionally, various exhibits will also be presented at Marcolina’s Fine Arts, The Bricks, and local Ybor artist Brian Leach’s WestBuk studio. The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts will be featuring “A Sublime Obsession: Photographs from the Hazlitt Collection” until January 11th. Following the tour, “The Soldier’s Lens,” which features works by veterans and active-duty service members, will be exhibited from October 28th to December 7th, with an opening reception scheduled for November 6th.

The event will also highlight various arts happenings across Ybor City, including “Evil Dead the Musical” at Stageworks and the “Bucs at 50” exhibit at the Tampa Museum of Art. A unique attraction, “Pumpkins & Pythons,” at FloridaRAMA, offers an immersive Halloween experience running through November 3rd.

Importantly, the Ybor Arts Tour will have free entry, distinguishing it from previous editions that required tickets. This decision underscores the collective dedication to restoring vibrancy in the Ybor arts scene and enhancing community collaboration is key to this effort.

The tour promises to encompass a wide array of artistic expressions, including visual, performing, and literary presentations. The intention behind the Ybor Arts Tour is to foster community engagement and establish meaningful connections between local artists and audiences, encouraging appreciation and exploration of the region’s rich artistic heritage.

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