Last Updated on November 21, 2022
UK Artist Lucy Sparrow’s felt art installation, Tampa Fresh Foods, was so unbelievably fun, it left our jaws hurting from smiling so much.
If you are in search of a new “Happy Place”, this is it! Imagine a grocery store full of 50,000 items, but none of them are edible.
Think 50,000 pieces of fun felt art. Had a friend of ours not posted photos on their Facebook page, we may have missed out on this incredible, one-of-a-kind art exhibit.
The line was long outside the Tampa Fresh Foods venue located on Water Street in downtown Tampa on a Saturday at 2pm. Had we not driven an hour and a half to get there, we may have simply said forget it and left.
Thankfully, we decided it would be worth waiting in line to see the free felt art exhibit first-hand. Boy, we made the right decision.
WOW! It’s such a visual experience. Lucy and her small team didn’t skip a beat in covering all these grocery bases.
There was even an ATM machine made out of felt.
The people who worked there and the patrons who lined up to experience Tampa Fresh Foods were very friendly and enthusiastic. Everyone was so grateful to be be a part of this feast for the eyes.
For such a large crowd, it was handled in such an organized fashion it didn’t feel claustrophobic and we didn’t feel a need to rush through the exhibit. Plus, it’s family-friendly so we saw people from five to 95-years-old.
Lucy Sparrow was there and checked people out at the felt cash registers, answered questions and even took a photo with our favorite traveling companion, Florida Orange Bird.
Tampa Fresh Foods is truly a love letter to the Sunshine State. From the salute to “Cigar City” via a stogie room to a Cuban sandwich bar, the Authentic Florida connections are endless.
“Tampa is such an inspirational location, with a backdrop of so many strong and varied local stories – from the beautiful fresh seafood and vibrant citruses to the proud Cuban influences,” said Lucy Sparrow.
It took over two years to create the 50,000 hand-created felt artworks.
All pieces of felt art are for sale. If you didn’t make it to Tampa, Lucy is selling the items on her website. Her official website is https://www.sewyoursoul.co.uk/.
Tampa Fresh Foods was presented by the Vinik Family Foundation and the non-profit organization, Art Production Fund.
The experience opened on January 20th and continued until February 20, 2022.
Where: 1050 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602 (the Asher Residence building – look for the signs promoting Wagamama)
When: January 20 – February 20, 2022. Open daily from 11:00 am-8:00 pm
Cost: FREE to view. Items are available for purchase.
Parking: East Cumberland Parking Garage
If your travels take you to the Tampa area, be sure to check out:
- Our Top 10 Authentic Things to Do in Tampa, Florida
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- Celebrate M.O.M: Museum of Motherhood in St. Pete, FL
- Caladesi Island Earns Spot On Dr. Beach’s Top 10 Beaches List
- Home is Where the Art is at Whimzeyland in Safety Harbor
- Pick a Piece of Florida’s Citrus History at Dooley Groves