In honor of the bicentennial of the 1821 Greek Revolution, the Tampa Museum of Art presents Opa! A Celebration of Greek Independence. This video celebration of Greek culture highlights the intersection between the 200th anniversary of Greek independence and the 100th anniversary of the Tampa Museum of Art through the artwork in the Museum’s permanent collection. With support from members of the Tampa Bay area Greek community, the presentation also features a dance performance, poetry reading, and messages that unite Tarpon Springs, the City of Tampa, and Tampa’s sister city Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Opa! A Celebration of Greek Independence is sponsored in part by Peter Ketchum and Elena Paras Ketchum, and Gus and Marina Paras.
Special thanks to:
Chris Alahouzos, Mayor of Tarpon Springs, Florida
Brittny Bevel, Education Curator at the Tampa Museum of Art
Jane Castor, Mayor of the City of Tampa, Florida
Marina Choundas, Tampa Attorney & Member of Greek Dance Troupe, Panigyri
Gian Andrea P. Garancini, Region of Crete – Counselor for Internationalization & Former Deputy-Mayor of Heraklion, Greece
Ippokratis Kantzios, Interim Dept. Chair & Associate Professor of Greek Language and Literature at the University of South Florida
Elena Paras Ketchum, Tampa Attorney & Tampa Museum of Art Board of Trustees Member
Vasilis Lambrinos, Mayor of Heraklion, Greece
John Lulias, Founder of Greek Dance Troupe, Levendia
Branko van Oppen, Curatorial Consultant for Ancient Art at the Tampa Museum of Art
Victoria Pagel, Tour & Education Programs Coordinator at the Tampa Museum of Art
Gus Paras, Tampa Architect & Founding Member of the Tampa-Heraklion Sister Cities Committee
Joanna Robotham, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Tampa Museum of Art
Father James Rousakis, Saints Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Palm Harbor, Florida
Chace Sibley, Student at the University of Florida
Dimitrios Sparos, Consul General of Greece in Tampa
Michael Tomor, the Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art