Doodad Competition Begins Traveling Show on Friday

Last month, we reported on a cigar box competition that allowed students from all over Hillsborough County to turn junk into treasure.

From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, their work will be judged in Hyde Park at Horizon Bay, 800 W. Azeele Street. Student winners will received prizes that included a summer art scholarship.

Here's more information from officials working on the project:

Who:  478 Students and 47 Teachers from 50 Hillsborough County Public Schools, Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, Community Volunteers, Horizon Bay at Hyde Park, Tampa Fire Museum, Glazer's Children's Museum and the History Center and a Jury of Artists

What:  Competition and Opening of Repurposed Art Traveling Show featuring 3,000 cigar boxes turned into works of Art by students from all grades; Prizes and a Summer Art Scholarship to be awarded.

Why:  The Hyde Park Community wants to touch the artist in our kids; to challenge them to express themselves through repurposing discarded items. DooDad is a professional, community-funded art show that sparks creativity in fun, educational and competitive ways.

How: Last year, it was plastic street blobes headed for the trash. This year, it's cigar boxes left over from the efforts of “Support our Troops,” a local group that sends care packages overseas. Students turned the boxes into beautiful art, with a touring show opening at Horizon Bay followed by the museums through February 28.

For more information, call Warren Elly at 813-924-6096.