IKEA TAMPA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA’S GRAPHIC DESIGN PROGRAM COLLABORATE TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY

IKEA TAMPA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA’S GRAPHIC DESIGN PROGRAM COLLABORATE TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY DURING EARTH MONTH 

Tampa, Florida (April 17, 2024) – To kick off Earth Month, IKEA Tampa’s Sustainability Committee and the graphic design students and faculty at The University of Tampa collaborated to create the first-ever art exhibition at the IKEA Tampa location, 1103 N. 22nd Street. The exhibition opens Thursday, April 18 at 10 a.m., and runs through 9p.m., Friday, May 3, 2024.  

The exhibition will be displayed in two areas of the store: the As-Is Department on the first floor and Bayside Community Room on the second floor.  

 The second-floor gallery is a project for the graphic design capstone course, which is taken by graduating seniors in the Department of Art and Design and taught by Assistant Professor Luciana Gassett. Participants were challenged with using the art forms of storytelling, illustration, information design and pattern design to express the importance of sustainability. 

 The first-floor gallery was created by Assistant Professor Maria Blokhina, who researches sustainability in design through the lens of fashion. “It's a testament to the power of design to not only inspire but also to repurpose, granting unused materials a chance to shine anew on the canvas of art,” said Gassett. “Maria Blokhina's project breathes new life into discarded fabrics, elevating them into captivating symbols of nature's splendor.”  

 “IKEA Tampa’s Sustainability Committee, chaired by Recovery Manager Joshua Power, as well as our community partners inspire us, not only with their effort to bring our community together but their commitment to bring sustainability to life at IKEA. Josh has done an amazing job spearheading this project, his drive and dedication are commendable beyond words” said, IKEA Tampa Loyalty & Community Engagement Manager, Kathi Garden.