Mary-Helen Horne creates layered, improvisational artworks by combining intaglio, relief, and monotype printmaking processes, using non-toxic inks and materials on high-quality, acid-free printmaking paper. She is honored to be part of Kress Contemporary, as well as Tampa Bay’s 24 Hands Printmaking Collective, Tampa Regional Artists, and the Women’s Council for Art. Recognition includes first place award at Tampa Regional Artists' 2023 "Art in the Garden" exhibition, third place at the 2022 Dunedin Fine Arts Center “#SMF” exhibition, and honorable mentions in the 2023 Bay Area Art Show 16 and the 2022 Carrollwood Cultural Center member exhibition.

Marc is a self-taught emerging artist who specializes in portraits and figurative art. Using primarily graphite and polychrome colored pencils, his portraits tend to explore and celebrate diversity, with subjects representing various ages, races, ethnicities and religions. Marc’s drawings have been featured in several online and print publications, and his art is included in private collections around the world with clients in 18 countries across five continents.

Leeann Rae is an artist based in Clearwater, Florida, whose work delves into the complexities of memory and its inherent flaws. A recent graduate of the MFA Studio Art and Design program at the University of Central Florida (2023), Leeann was distinguished with both the College of Arts and Humanities Scholarship and a Graduate Teaching Assistantship. She discovered a passion for teaching collegiate courses in drawing and design while attending UCF. Leeann is currently an Assistant Professor at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, teaching Drawing 1 and 2 and 2D Design.

Leeann’s artistic practice centers on the creation of large-scale drawings, utilizing charcoal and soft pastels to craft visual interpretations of how she reconstructs and distorts memory. Her work has been exhibited in several national and international juried exhibitions.

Born in 1973 in Delicias, Morazán, El Salvador, and now based in Tampa, Florida, Will Hernandez creates arresting narrative paintings that confront the enduring mysteries of faith, identity, and human morality. A graduate of Saint Peter's College in New Jersey, Hernandez studied under artist Oscar Magnan and has since developed a distinctive voice rooted in storytelling. His work often draws from his personal history and a childhood marked by upheaval, weaving together loss, religious inquiry, and historical memory into bold, emotionally resonant compositions. His published poetry and participation in exhibitions across the U.S., as well as inclusion in International Contemporary Artists, reflect the literary and spiritual dimension underpinning his practice.

What distinguishes Hernandez most is his ability to merge classical figurative painting with contemporary historical consciousness. His compositions possess the clarity and monumentality associated with Renaissance portraiture while addressing events and personalities that remain deeply embedded in modern cultural memory. This synthesis is undoubtedly informed by his artistic lineage. Having studied under Fr. Oscar Magnan, one of the Vatican restorers who worked on Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, Hernandez inherited not only technical discipline but also an understanding of painting as a vehicle for spiritual and ethical reflection rather than mere representation. Yet his work never feels derivative. Classical methods become the foundation for an entirely contemporary visual language that is unmistakably his own.

Blake Munch is a contemporary artist based in Florida whose work explores themes of faith, hope, beauty, and the human experience. Working primarily in acrylic, he creates richly detailed paintings that blend realism with expressive color and light, inviting viewers into moments of reflection and wonder.

Inspired by biblical stories, the life of Christ, and the beauty found throughout creation, Blake’s work seeks to communicate timeless messages of love, grace, and redemption. Through each piece, he strives to create art that connects with people on a deeper level and reminds viewers of the hope and beauty found in the world around them.

Blake’s artwork has been featured in exhibitions, private collections, and creative projects including book cover commissions. As his work continues to reach new audiences, he remains dedicated to creating meaningful pieces that inspire, encourage, and leave a lasting impact.

Dave Decker has made a name for himself as a prominent photographer in the Tampa Bay area over the past two years. His ability to capture the essence of his surroundings through his lens has brought Creative Loafing readers directly into his world. From documenting street protests and community events to showcasing the vibrant energy of Tampa Bay, Decker's photographs offer a unique and captivating perspective on our beloved region. Recently, Decker has taken his craft further by opening his own studio in historic Ybor City, solidifying his presence in the local creative scene.

The wide breadth of artistic creations created by Chase Parker consistently astounds its viewers. Parker creates two- and three-dimensional artworks using traditional and nontraditional materials to create illusions and fantasy. Parker aims to create artwork that creates illusions that engage viewers, deceive the mind, and create wonder and awe. The interactions are both in the mind and through physical interaction, allowing imaginations to run wild. He can take any object or material and see a new form, whether it be a portrait created from book pages or a body from bullet shells, the realism is surreal. Parker has always been interested in creating art but did not see it as more than a hobby until he began receiving commissions for paintings. Parker finds inspiration throughout his life experiences, being able to transform beauty out of pain, grief, love, and youth. Parker continues to share his art with the public as a way to truly fulfill his life’s meaning.

In a previous life you would have found the Principal (me) walking the halls of various schools, chatting with students and dropping into classrooms. Today, having morphed into an artist, you’re just as likely to see me on the floor taking particular joy in the messiness of paint drips and splatters, with the same ending up largely on myself. There is no longer a need for straight lines nor to color within the lines. I love this thing I now do!

Carlos Pons is a self-taught Tampa, Florida based artist originally from Guatemala. With over 15 years of experience his expertise lies in showcasing breathtaking oil paintings, immersive murals, and striking digital illustrations. His work can be found locally all over Tampa and across the state.

Elayna Clair is a multidisciplinary artist, performer, and visual arts educator based out of Tampa, FL. Her work is rooted in emotional honesty, connection to nature, and a desire to transform pain into peace. Whether through a brushstroke or a dance, her mission remains the same: to model a life of compassion, presence, and purposeful expression.

Karol Batansky is an artist based in Tampa, Florida, who divides her time between Florida and Maine. She began painting in 2017, drawing on her background in fashion design and an instinctive understanding of color, style, and composition.

Initially focused on vibrant mixed-media abstraction, her practice has evolved to include bold, colorful florals with a pop-art sensibility. Working intuitively, Karol allows each composition to unfold through spontaneous choices rather than a fixed plan. Her work brings together expressive color, playful forms, and a distinctive design perspective.

Heidi Clapp-Temple is a fine art photographer, holding a BFA in Fine Art Photography from Syracuse University. Through her work, she weaves truth and fiction into visual narratives that delve into the complexities of human existence. Employing a visually engaging style, Clapp-Temple invites viewers to explore the complicated dark and light aspects of life.