Entry No. 35 — the Tampa file — filed under: experimental-art
Tempus Projects
An artist-run non-profit gallery housed inside the historic Kress building showcasing experimental, provocative, and site-specific installation art.
The story
While Ybor City's 7th Avenue usually peddles cigar smoke, neon lights, and late-night party crowds, stepping inside the historic Kress building reveals a different side of the district. Tempus Projects was established in 2009 by artist and director Tracy Midulla to challenge the region's polite, commercial gallery ecosystem. Instead of framed prints designed to match living room furniture, this artist-run non-profit hands its footprint over to experimental installations, provocative media, and site-specific work that rarely finds a home in conventional spaces.
Operating for over sixteen years as a creative engine in Tampa Bay, Tempus functions as both a gallery and an incubator. Shows range from raw contemporary studio outputs and multi-media experiments to curated group exhibits like 'Sticks of Fire'. It's art stripped of corporate pretense—a direct line to local and visiting creators taking risks inside a historic brick sanctuary.
What it's like
Slapping past the noise of 7th Avenue into the Kress building brings you into a stripped-back, high-concept gallery space where the floor plan changes with each installation. Opening nights are the best time to drop in—you'll catch a dense mix of local artists, art students, and neighborhood regulars arguing over new work during intimate artist talks. Check their schedule before making the trip, as hours depend heavily on current exhibition cycles and installation periods.
The move: Catch an opening night exhibition to explore cutting-edge contemporary art installations and engage directly with local creators during artist talks.
- 📍 Ybor City
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1624 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Screen Door Microcinema — Stay inside the historic Kress Building and head upstairs to pair experimental gallery art with DIY cult film screenings.
- Dysfunctional Grace Art Co. — Walk down 7th Avenue to shift your visual tour from contemporary installations to macabre taxidermy and preserved osteology.
- SpookEasy Lounge & The Catacombs — Cap off an evening gallery opening by slipping behind the bookcase door down the block for late-night kava.
Good to know
What kind of art can I expect to see at Tempus Projects?
The gallery focuses on contemporary, provocative, and site-specific installation art, featuring work from both regional and visiting artists.
Where inside Ybor City is the gallery located?
You can find Tempus Projects inside the historic Kress building at 1624 E 7th Avenue.
Who operates Tempus Projects?
It is an independent artist-run non-profit organization founded and directed by Tampa artist Tracy Midulla.
Are there events besides standard gallery exhibitions?
Yes, Tempus regularly hosts exhibition opening receptions, artist talks, and special project showcases throughout the year.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · kresscontemporary.org · dfac.org
last checked: 2026-07-21