Art on 19th Showcases Work of Local Artists

The Singing Stone Gallery in Ybor City spills its art into the streets Saturday, Oct. 1, during Art on 19th, a free, family-friendly event featuring live music and demonstrations by regional artists, as well as gallery co-owner and artist Dan Balk.

It's not just an art sale, gallery co-owner Nataly Balk said. The featured artists demonstrate their craft throughout the day, giving patrons an opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the artists' creative processes.

We try to promote as many artists and crafters as possible, Nataly Balk said. The artists chosen to participate are all professionals who make their living with their craft, and produce high quality work.

We really work to showcase all of the great things about daytime Ybor City activities, Natalie Balk said. If you venture off 7th Avenue, you find it's more than bars and tattoo parlors.

19th Street is "a little hot spot" for creativity, Nataly Balk said. "A lot of what we're doing is trying to paint Ybor in a positive light."

The Balks are passionate about their community, and hope that events like Art on 19th brings more people to enjoy the "artsy metropolis" of historic Ybor. "It's a huge national landmark in our own backyard," Nataly Balk said.

Though parents may squirm at the thought of bringing young children to an art gallery, Nataly Balk said both the event and the gallery are especially kid-friendly.

With two young children of their own, the Balks have made The Singing Stone Gallery a place parents can feel comfortable bringing their children. "They come in and love the primary colors," Nataly Balk said.

Throughout the day Saturday, Dan Balk will be hand-fabricating silver jewelry in the gallery's working studio, showcasing the process from raw material to finished product.

Saturday's artists also include photographer Jason Dowd and painter Anthony Cartegena. Dowd will be giving photography lessons using Ybor City as a backdrop, Nataly Balk said. Cartegena will be painting on site, in addition to showcasing finished pieces.

Items for sale range in price from $5 to $3,000, Nataly Balk said.

Art on the 19th coincides with the Ybor City Saturday Market, located at the corner of Centennial and 19th streets, so patrons can stroll back and forth between the two events, Nataly Balk said. And if you are looking for a sit-down meal nearby, the gallery's neighbor, Tres Amici at The Ybor Bunker, offers "amazing bakery items" as well as an Art on 19th two-for-one sangria special for event patrons, Nataly Balk said.

Art on 19th is held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. For more information, visit the gallery's website or call (813) 247-2787.