AMEL SAMUELS
founder of EARTH & BONE STUDIOS

 Originally from a small common wealth community in New England Amel was surrounded by a defined line of ignorance and poverty. He found solitude and peace in art. Art was not only an escape but also a way to express his individuality in a overly conservative environment. In his early teens he would take the train out of the country into the closest city's where his creativity was greatly inspired by urban culture, music, and among all diversity. Influenced by graffiti, music, and architecture he adapted his own style. Over the years his studies introduced Amel to geometry, spatial arts and his own personal interest in advertising. His education and experiences only defined his interests in art, but also refined it. 

TYLER SIROTA
OWNER OF TT ART COLLECTIVE 

Tyler Sirota is the founder of TT Art Collective and Art Director at Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection, Museum of Science and Industry and several other establishments. He coordinates Art Events all over the Tampa Bay Area and collaborates with organizations who previously did not offer Art at their events. His mission is to Support Local Artists and expand the communities scope of art with goals of opening a gallery/studio in Tampa, starting a mural festival that measures up to Shine in St Pete, and helping artists grow their professional career. 

 Originally from Middletown, Delaware but currently Tampa based artist, Quinn Cale, has been honing her skills in painting for the past several years. Originally only working with a variety of mediums, Quinn blended her love for space and with her lifelong love for art, bringing about the perfect marriage of her two passions.

Quinn’s evolution into painting allowed her to introduce another element to this union and extent the range of her talent even further. Her use of different painting techniques allows Quinn to challenge her boundaries - utilizing color and surrealism to tell stories, which explore the relation of animals and space.
 

JUNIOR POLO
children's class art instructor

Junior Polo was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Since the age 5, Polo has been following the bestHaitian painters in their respective disciplines. He has since developed his love and passion forart through painting, pottery and stage design. Polo later found his inspiration for helpingyouth by working with disabled children at Saint Vincent Center in Haiti. This experiencechanged his life and he began to develop a plan to start a youth empowerment non-profitorganization called GREDEVE (Network Empowerment for Child Development). In its 20th year,the organization teaches at-risk and underserved youth in the areas of leadership, art, literacyand personal development. GREDEVE now serves over 300 youth and hosts many communitybuilding activities and performances each year.Now residing in Tampa Bay, Polo has pursued his passion for serving his community by creatinga local youth arts initiative, VeroPolo Kids Space. He also teaches art classes for the ProdigyCultural Arts Program. Through both programs, Polo shares valuable art techniques and lifeskills with young people through out the Bay Area. Polo’s inspiration draws upon his lifeexperiences and the recent earthquake disaster in Haiti. He believes art can be used as therapyfor anyone searching for healing. Junior Polo’s art is featured in several art galleries andinstallations in the Tampa Bay area and a portion of his commissions are sent back to help fundand support GREDEVE.Junior Polo was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Since the age 5, Polo has been following the bestHaitian painters in their respective disciplines. He has since developed his love and passion forart through painting, pottery and stage design. Polo later found his inspiration for helpingyouth by working with disabled children at Saint Vincent Center in Haiti. This experiencechanged his life and he began to develop a plan to start a youth empowerment non-profitorganization called GREDEVE (Network Empowerment for Child Development). In its 20th year,the organization teaches at-risk and underserved youth in the areas of leadership, art, literacyand personal development. GREDEVE now serves over 300 youth and hosts many communitybuilding activities and performances each year.Now residing in Tampa Bay, Polo has pursued his passion for serving his community by creatinga local youth arts initiative, VeroPolo Kids Space. He also teaches art classes for the ProdigyCultural Arts Program. Through both programs, Polo shares valuable art techniques and lifeskills with young people through out the Bay Area. Polo’s inspiration draws upon his lifeexperiences and the recent earthquake disaster in Haiti. He believes art can be used as therapyfor anyone searching for healing. Junior Polo’s art is featured in several art galleries andinstallations in the Tampa Bay area and a portion of his commissions are sent back to help fundand support GREDEVE.

Junior Polo was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Since the age 5, Polo has been following the best Haitian painters in their respective disciplines. He has since developed his love and passion for art through painting, pottery and stage design. Polo later found his inspiration for helping youth by working with disabled children at Saint Vincent Center in Haiti. This experience changed his life and he began to develop a plan to start a youth empowerment non-profit organization called GREDEVE (Network Empowerment for Child Development). In its 20th year, the organization teaches at-risk and underserved youth in the areas of leadership, art, literacy and personal development. GREDEVE now serves over 300 youth and hosts many community building activities and performances each year. Now residing in Tampa Bay, Polo has pursued his passion for serving his community by creating a local youth arts initiative, VeroPolo Kids Space. He also teaches art classes for the Prodigy Cultural Arts Program. Through both programs, Polo shares valuable art techniques and life skills with young people through out the Bay Area. Polo’s inspiration draws upon his life experiences and the recent earthquake disaster in Haiti. He believes art can be used as therapy for anyone searching for healing. Junior Polo’s art is featured in several art galleries and installations in the Tampa Bay area and a portion of his commissions are sent back to help fund and support GREDEVE.

RAYSHEIL RIGAUD
art curator

Raysheil Rigaud resides in Tampa Bay, Florida and goes by the name of “RARI”. She is originally born in Haiti and moved to Florida when she was 16. Her creativity is versatile as she explores different forms of artistic expression, from jewelry creation to furniture restoration, and interior decoration. Her palette of creations is endless of possibilities. But she says, her exploration just began. She has adapted her own style of painting that is a mix of tribal, underground and vibrant neo-pop culture.

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