Epicurean Hotel to Feature 2026 Class of Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts’ Local Artists Spotlight Program
The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (GFA) and Epicurean Hotel are proud to announce a new collaboration celebrating Tampa Bay’s vibrant creative community. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 6:30–8:30 PM, Epicurean Theatre will host an opening reception of a special preview exhibition featuring the 2026 Class of GFA’s Local Artist Spotlight Program.
Supported by a grant from the Gobioff Foundation, the Local Artist Spotlight Program annually recognizes five exceptional Tampa Bay–based artists, awarding each a complimentary booth to exhibit and sell their work at the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, which will take place on February 28–March 1, 2026. Participating artists also receive expanded visibility through GFA’s marketing and social media channels.
This year marks a milestone for the program: for the first time, the selected artists will be showcased in an exhibition at Epicurean Hotel.
The 2026 Local Artists Spotlight honorees are:
• Caitlin Albritton — Jewelry
• Scott Causey — Sculpture
• Elizabeth Eckels — Sculpture
• N. Carlos Jay — Painting
• Scott Solary — Woodworking
Art enthusiasts, collectors, and supporters of the local arts community are invited to attend the opening reception, where guests will enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided by Epicurean Hotel. The evening offers an intimate first look at the artists who will be featured at the 2026 Festival and highlights GFA’s and Epicurean’s shared commitment to uplifting local creative talent. The exhibition will remain on view until February 13, 2026.
The opening reception is free and open to the public; an RSVP is requested.
To attend the opening reception, please click here: https://www.epicureanhotel.com/events/2026/raymond-james-gasparilla-festival-of-the-arts-local-artists-spotlight/
