We’re excited to welcome Manny Leto of Brick Street Tours to Kress Contemporary for a special curatorial residency with Tempus Projects, beginning September 10 and presented in conjunction with the exhibition Oh Cuore Mia: Love Letters to Ybor City.
The experience begins at Kress Contemporary with a visit to Oh Cuore Mia, an exhibition of art and ephemera exploring the complicated and enduring love for this historic neighborhood. From there, Tampa native Manny Leto will lead guests out of the gallery and into the streets of Ybor City.
The walking tour explores Ybor’s past, present, and future—from its history as a center of immigrant life and industry to its longstanding role as an epicenter of Tampa’s art and music scenes. And what better place to begin than the historic Kress building, now home to a vibrant community of artists, galleries, studios, and cultural organizations carrying that creative history forward.
Manny has been leading walking tours and cultural experiences in Tampa for more than two decades, making him the city’s longest-running independent tour provider. A Tampa native with family roots in Ybor City and West Tampa, he has been an ardent advocate for the city’s history and culture and has written and presented extensively on the immigrant history of both neighborhoods.
Manny currently serves as Executive Director of St. Petersburg Preservation (Preserve the ’Burg), where he works with local stakeholders to celebrate and protect historic architecture in the Sunshine City.
Ybor City Gallery + Walking Tours
September 10–13, 2026
Tempus Projects at Kress Contemporary
1624 E. 7th Avenue, Ybor City
Each tour includes a complimentary welcome beverage and gallery tour of Oh Cuore Mia, followed by a guided walking tour of Ybor City. Multiple tour times are available September 10–13.
Start at Kress, experience the exhibition, and then head out on foot to explore the neighborhood that inspired it.
And because this is Tampa in September: dress comfortably, wear good walking shoes, and bring a hat and sunscreen if you’re joining a daytime tour.
For information and tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ybor-city-gallery-and-walking-tour-with-manny-leto-tickets-1998398660188