Banksy exhibit opens at Straz Center

The Art of Banksy opened at Tampa’s Straz Center on July 31, adding a touring exhibition of more than 160 authenticated works by the anonymous British street artist to the downtown performing arts complex. Straz Center materials describe it as the largest authenticated private collection of Banksy art, with works valued at more than $35 million. A large mural installed outside the venue has also become part of the public-facing rollout in downtown Tampa. ### When did the Tampa show open, and where is it set up? July 31 is the opening date listed by Straz Center and multiple local event write-ups for the Tampa run of The Art of Banksy. The exhibition is staged on the Morsani Hall stage at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, at 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place in downtown Tampa. (tampabayparenting.com) The Straz Center’s public calendar shows The Art of Banksy scheduled on multiple August dates, indicating the exhibition is operating as a limited-run event inside the venue rather than a one-night opening. Tampa Bay Times syndication and local listings say the run continues through Sept. 27, while some earlier local previews cited an August-only window, suggesting the engagement was later extended. (tampabayparenting.com) ### What exactly is in the exhibition? More than 160 works are included in the Tampa presentation, according to Straz Center and exhibition listings. The materials describe a mix of prints, canvases, screenprints, sculptures, hand-drawn sketches and limited-edition works associated with Banksy’s career. (strazcenter.org) The exhibition website and local coverage say the selection includes images and editions tied to some of Banksy’s best-known works, including *Girl with Balloon*, *Flower Thrower* and *Rude Copper*. XHBT, an exhibition listing site, also says the show includes lesser-seen pieces such as a Banksy *Mona Lisa* once owned by Brad Pitt. (blog.strazcenter.org) ### Is this an official Banksy show? Banksy did not authorize the Tampa exhibition, according to Tampa Bay Times reporting surfaced in search results. At the same time, the touring show and exhibition listings say the works themselves have been authenticated by Pest Control, the artist’s handling service. (xhbt.org) That distinction matters because The Art of Banksy is being marketed as an authenticated collection of privately owned works, not as a new body of work created for Tampa or a museum exhibition organized by the artist. The official exhibition site identifies Starvox Entertainment as producer and says the show is appearing at Straz Center for a limited engagement. (tampabay.com) ### What is the outdoor mural outside the Straz Center? A mural promoting the exhibition is displayed outside the Straz Center, according to Tampa Bay Times column coverage republished by AOL and MSN. The image caption in that coverage says the mural was photographed outside the venue on July 27 in Tampa. The available reporting does not identify the exterior work as a newly authenticated Banksy street piece. (banksyexhibit.com) Instead, the current sourcing supports describing it as part of the exhibition presentation outside the venue. ### Why has the show drawn attention beyond the usual event listing? Stephanie Hayes of the Tampa Bay Times wrote in an Aug. 5 column that “discomfort is the point” of the Tampa show, framing the exhibition around Banksy’s long-running use of satire, political critique and unease rather than straightforward entertainment. (aol.com) Search results for that column say Hayes described a VIP preview at the Straz Center and argued that viewers should not expect the work to settle into easy decor. Straz Center’s own blog used similar language before the opening, calling Banksy’s art “provocative” and emphasizing the convenience of seeing so many works gathered in one place rather than encountering them piecemeal in public space. ### How long will it stay in Tampa, and where do tickets come from? (yahoo.com) The Straz Center calendar lists The Art of Banksy across August dates, and syndicated Tampa Bay Times coverage says the exhibition runs through Sept. 27. Straz Center ticketing information says tickets are sold through the venue, while local advance coverage said regular prices started at $29.99. (blog.strazcenter.org) August 13 is one of the dates currently shown on the Straz Center calendar, and the venue’s ticket office page lists phone and in-person purchase options for upcoming events at the downtown Tampa complex. (strazcenter.org)