Those who attended the “Back to School” Fundraiser, an annual event held by the Safety Harbor Neighborhood Family Center, might have thought they were seeing double during the Live Auction at this year’s fundraiser. When things got underway, they saw an artistic chalk rendition of the cover of the Summer Issue of this magazine’s last cover photo, and it certainly provided a highlight!
Local artist Kumpa donated a strikingly beautiful reproduction in pastels of the cover photo represented on the last issue of Destination Safety Harbor Magazine for the event. Because he is fond of being a Safety Harbor resident, and because the front cover photo appealed to his love of the town, he was inspired to recreate the photo into a work of art.
“I wanted to give back to a community that has given so much to me,” Kumpa says. “The cover photo is a nice representation of the Safety Harbor Bay and its scenic shoreline.”
says “It was quite interesting having the artist actually present at the Live Auction,” Janet Hooper, Director of the Neighborhood Family Center said . The annual event, which helps raise money for backpacks and school supplies for children in need in Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, and Clearwater, was hosted this year at Syd Entel Galleries and Susan Benjamin Glass Etc., located at 247 Main Street in Safety Harbor, on the 29th of July.
Local restaurants and businesses alike donated food and provided beverages for the successful fundraising event.
Kumpa, originally from Thailand, has family who live in the Tampa Bay area. So he came over from his native land 20 years ago to attend school at St. Petersbug College’s Clearwater Campus . It was then that he discovered the friendly feel and eclectic flavor of Safety Harbor and decided to call it home.
In the years since, Kumpa has done many types of artwork, ranging from graphic arts and canvas paintings, to metal and marble sculptures. Some of his work can be found in cities such as Las Vegas, where he created a 15-foot Dragon sculpture for a clothing store, to pieces you can see locally at establishments such as Green Springs, Brady’s BBQ (look for the pigs!), and Taste Café to name a few.
“I believe you can do anything if you really want to,” laughs Kumpa,. “I say sure I can…then I figure out a way to get things done—I’ve got it covered!” This is one creative artist who certainly did get it ‘covered’…
Kumba’s interestingly colorful chalk art rendition of this magazine’s cover photo will soon be available for viewing at the Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History, located at 329 Bayshore Boulevard South, in Safety Harbor.
By Toni Taylor
Article Written for Destination Tampa Bay magazine