Tampa Bay Surface Design Guild upcoming events

Call for Entry - Art of the Opera (14 Jul 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Art of the Opera

Mirella Cimato Gallery

Opera Central / Opera Box Office

2145 1st. Avenue South

St. Petersburg, FL 33712

January through February 2027

Get ready, get set, create!

Choose an opera as your inspiration. Lots of fun information online. Search the St. Pete Opera, New York Metropolitan Opera, San Fransisco Opera, Cincinnati Opera to name a few. There are also lots of modern operas to find.

Only sizes of work to be accepted will be 18”W X 24”H and 27”W X 40”H. Pieces will hang vertically. This is the outer dimension, so if you add a frame, the frame has to stay within these dimensions. The Committee looked at the space and decided to add size restrictions. This will also give you experience with other juried shows that have restrictions.

Your work can be any medium, it just has to fit the size dimensions.

Registration fee will be $20 for 1 or 2 pieces and will be juried. The Guild is responsible for the refreshments at the openings, and printing of postcards for marketing, that this fee will help fund. We also plan on displaying this body of artwork at Lewis House (Eckard College) in Spring 2027.

The information needed for your label will be:

Title of Work

Name of Opera that inspired the piece

Artist Name

Medium /Materials Used

Cost of piece

Relevant documents:

Art Dimension Page

Art of the Opera

Opera Suggestions

Call for Entry - Small Show at a Small Gallery (27 Jul 2026)

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Call for Artists

A Small Show at a Small Gallery

Mix Studio

5812 28th Avenue South

Gulfport, FL 33707

Opening reception: October 23rd

Show dates: October 23 thru November 21

Elizabeth Neily has been invited to exhibit at the gallery and she is sharing the space with Guild Members.

This is an opportunity to exhibit and sell small pieces. The gallery room dimensions are 11’ x 14’, but the 14’ walls have a doorway in each.

The pieces should be no larger than 12” X 16” and can be vertical or horizontal. They can be framed or unframed. They can be 3-D, as there will be a small table area possible.

The commission is 70% to the artist / 30% to the gallery.

Walls are drywall and nails and hooks are used to hang art.

We will supply apps and refreshments for the opening.

As items sell, they leave with the buyer at time of purchase.

Please email photo of work and dimensions, price and medium to

jodidoll55@gmail.com and aidajune@me.com

Due date October 1st. so presentation can be made to gallery.

Art drop off will be October 18th to 19th.

Take down will be November 22.

August 2026 Member Meeting (10 Aug 2026)

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:30:00 GMT

TBSDG Member Meeting

Date & Time: August 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting Location: King of Peace MCC, 6085 Park Blvd Pinellas Park

Please arrive a few minutes early so that we can all socialize and start the meeting on time.

Show-n-Tell: We are all anxious to see show-n-tell items in-person, but please limit your number of items to three, so that everyone will have a chance to "show-n-tell." If you attended last month's workshop, please bring your created items to share.

Mini Demo: Sarah Uys will address "What do your materials mean? How to tell better stories with intentional choices."

A "Free Table" will be available for the free exchange of no longer needed surface design materials and supplies. Please check the table before you leave the meeting to be sure to take home with you anything you bring that does not go home with someone else.

Junk Journals: Structures and Creation with Linda Myers (15 Aug 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Junk Journals: Structures and Creation

Location: King of Peace MCC 6085 Park Blvd Pinellas Park

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026 pm

Time: 9 am - 5 pm

$65 for members, $85 for non members

Description: Why create a Junk Journal? It is a fun, creative process that uses minimal tools and incorporates materials that would otherwise be discarded. These journals serve as excellent places to store tutorials, formulas, trial pieces, photos, and ideas. They can be unique art pieces or thoughtful gifts.

This class is suitable for all skill levels. Beginners will be guided through the process, while experienced participants are invited to experiment with a variety of materials. Packets containing all necessary supplies will be provided.

In the morning, we will create common structures such as tags, pockets, and belly bands, mounting them into a soft-cover journal for your future reference. In the afternoon, we will construct a hard cover and begin the final creation of your journal. You may choose between a themed packet—containing focal images, postcards, and stickers—or select from a wide variety of "junk" materials.

As this is a slow, creative process, you may not fully complete the decoration of your journal during class time. However, all supplies will be available for you to take home to finish your project.

Student to bring: Paper scissors and metal ruler would be helpful but not essential. Also, if desired, bring anything relatively flat that you would like to include (letters, photos, "things"

Instructor to bring: Instructor will provide all materials needed.

Waldorf-Style Sweater Babies with Lisa Ahbel (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Waldorf-Style Sweater Babies!

Taught by Lisa Ahbel

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Time: 9:30-3:30

Location: King of Peace Church

Workshop Fee: Member $125 Non Member $165

Maximum enrollment: 15

In this workshop you will learn to make your own, adorable natural fiber Waldorf-style Sweater Baby. From forming the head to embroidering the features, to stuffing and assembling the finished product— I will be there to guide you through each step. Along the way you get to pick your favorite pre-sewn wool “jammies” (made from lightly felted, recycled sweaters), choose from 3 different skin tones and then coordinate with the perfect eye and hair colors, all from my extensive stash.

Your finished doll will measure about 14 inches long. Stuffed with clean, combed wool batting, these dolls reflect back warmth when held and cuddled. Your sweater baby could end up being a treasured play companion (and future heirloom!) for a special child in your life….or you might decide to keep it for your own delight and enjoyment.

The Waldorf doll head construction is easy to learn and you can adapt it to any size and type of cloth doll you want to make in the future.

Supply Kit Cost: ALL materials—valued at $45 per doll–are included in the workshop fee!

Materials Students are Expected to Bring:

Small sharp scissors, pins, tape measure, pencil, medium-sized crochet hook, sewing needles including a sharp darning needle (with a large eye, if you have one), thimble if you use one, chopstick or other tool to help with stuffing. I will bring extra needles and other supplies to use if you don’t already own them. If you have a spare wool dryer ball you are not using anymore, bring it along—it can speed up your head construction. If you don’t have one, no worries.

Also bring a bag lunch and something to drink.

Materials Provided by Teacher: Wool batting, sturdy rug warp thread for tying eye and chin lines, pre-sewn sweater “jammies” and coordinating sewing thread in a LOT of colors for you to choose from, choice of skin-tone cotton stockinette for hands and face (you may choose those ahead of time), hair yarn in many colors and textures, large assortment of embroidery floss colors for eyes/lips, long doll-making needles to use during class. I will bring extra scissors, measuring tapes, pins, crochet hooks and anything else I can think of for you to use during the workshop.

September 2026 Member Meeting (21 Sep 2026)

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:30:00 GMT

TBSDG Member Meeting

Date & Time: September 21, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

NOTE NEW DATE, 3rd Monday, for this meeting only

Meeting Location: King of Peace MCC, 6085 Park Blvd Pinellas Park

Please arrive a few minutes early so that we can all socialize and start the meeting on time.

Mini Demo: Cathy Simms will demonstrate how to modify photographs for mixed media and journal use and making an intuitive folding book.

October 2026 Member Meeting (12 Oct 2026)

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

TBSDG Member Meeting

Date & Time: October 12, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting Location: King of Peace MCC, 6085 Park Blvd Pinellas Park

Please arrive a few minutes early so that we can all socialize and start the meeting on time.

Mini Demo:

November 2026 Member Meeting (16 Nov 2026)

Mon, 16 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

TBSDG Member Meeting

Date & Time: November 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting Location: King of Peace MCC, 6085 Park Blvd Pinellas Park

Please arrive a few minutes early so that we can all socialize and start the meeting on time.

Mini Demo:

December 2026 Member Meeting (14 Dec 2026)

Mon, 14 Dec 2026 23:30:00 GMT

TBSDG Member Meeting

Date & Time: December 14, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting Location: King of Peace MCC, 6085 Park Blvd Pinellas Park

Please arrive a few minutes early so that we can all socialize and start the meeting on time.

Mini Demo:

Mixed Media Collage Enhanced with Thread with Nneka Jones (22 Jan 2027)

Fri, 22 Jan 2027 15:00:00 GMT

Mixed Media Collage Enhanced With Thread with Nneka Jones

Date: Friday, January 22, 2027

Time: 10am - 4pm

Location: King of Peace Church, 6085 Park Blvd. Pinellas Park, FL

Member Price: $200

Non Member Price: $240

Workshop Description:

Exploring Surface Design Through Paint and Embroidery

Join internationally exhibited mixed-media artist Nneka Jones for an immersive workshop exploring the intersection of paint, pattern, and embroidery. Drawing from her distinctive artistic practice, Nneka will demonstrate how botanical-stenciled imagery, layered color, and hand stitching can be combined to create contemporary textile-inspired artwork rich in texture and meaning.

In this hands-on workshop, artist Nneka Jones will guide participants through her signature process of combining stencil-based painting techniques with hand embroidery to create richly layered designs.

Participants will explore methods for transferring imagery, working with stencils, building color through paint application, and enhancing compositions with simple embroidery stitches. Through demonstrations and guided experimentation, students will learn how to create texture, depth, and visual interest while developing their own unique artistic voice.

This workshop is suitable for beginners as well as experienced makers looking to expand their surface design practice. Students will leave with a completed mixed-media artwork, new technical skills, and inspiration for incorporating paint and stitch into future projects.

Skills Covered:

Design transfer methods
Stencil application techniques
Color layering and paint application
Introduction to embroidery for mixed media
Creating texture and dimension through surface design

Minimum # of students: 10 Maximum # of students: 20

Materials Students are Expected to Bring:

Scissors
Fabric swatches - solid or patterned(optional)
Embroidery hoop (optional)
Embroidery threads
Pencil
Pen

Materials Provided by Instructor:

Fabric or canvas
Stencils/templates
Acrylic paints
Paint application tools (brushes and sponges)
Transfer materials (carbon paper)
Demonstration samples
Instructional handouts
Needles
Needle Threader
Embroidery thread
Needle holder (tubes)

Supply List: A detailed supply list will be distributed to registered students approximately 60 days prior to the workshop. Students should anticipate bringing basic embroidery supplies.