Local Art Instructor Talks Aerial Photography Show

In a few days, large-scale aerial photography will invade Tampa Bay, with the help of an instructor who has taught classes in Central Tampa.

"Aloft - A Unique Perspective of Florida Using Aerial Photography" kicks off on Monday, July 1, and runs until August 30. The collection, viewable from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the TECO Public Art Art Gallery at 702 N. Franklin Street, was created by photographers from Aerial Innovations.

"I love the distorted beauty of objects, spaces, colors, shapes and geometric patterns," said Colette Eddy, owner of Aerial Innovations. "They are an opiate for my eye, and an attraction for the camera."

A public reception for the collection will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 11 at the TECO Gallery, with light refreshments and a cash bar.

Debra Radke, who installed the photography show, has taught art classes at the Life Enrichment Center in Forest Hills. Radke said viewers will be surprised by the perception of the photos.

"When faced with large-scale abstraction, the viewed most often seeks the familiar," she said. "After you finally recognize what you're seeing, or 'get it,' you experience the feeling of being quite clever, like a detective following clues until you finally solve the mystery."

For information, contact Radke at 813-767-1600 or email her at dradke1@tampabay.rr.com.