Five years goes by in a flash and like a spark, time flies when you’re having fun. Here we are at the five-year mark and I can’t help but be moved by my VERTICAL existence. What’s most striking is that among a sea of wonderful discoveries, I found myself. You see, I didn’t quite know what I was made of until I got VERTICAL and once I did, it led me to discover my passion for photography, which feels like a present with a gorgeous bow on top. But there’s so much more to this story… For five years,VERTICAL has celebrated local treasures—the people, places and things we rejoice to discover. And for five years, love has poured out on its pages. For five years, we have remained true to Tampa Bay, highlighting all local talent from the models on our covers and the photographers who shot them to the incredible pros behind the scenes. Local individuals have inspired our stories and local artists have decorated our pages with paintings, pictures and graffiti. We invited some robots to party for our five-year anniversary issue and it’s a pleasure to introduce you to “Mrs. Roboto”—Sarah Thee Campagna of CyberCraft Robots. Brian James’ photography makes them come to life. Adding to the festivities, a TASTE of “Beautiful Food” from Restaurant BT and fashion fit for a “Printcess” (photographed by yours truly). The gifts I’m most grateful for come from the people I’ve encountered along the way. One of my all-time favorite lyricists, Eddie Vedder sang, “I’m a lucky man to count on both hands the ones I’ve loved,” and for me to be blessed with so much, both personally and professionally, is more than I could have dreamed of. What greater joy could there be than to share love? It’s what makes the world go round/Get VERTICAL.
Photo by Susan Jeffers Photography Hair & Makeup by Pamela Bloomgren
Publisher & creative director Leslie Joy Ickowitz
Art Director James Burgos of BLVD//creative
Contributing Photographers Brian James Gallery Photography Leslie Joy Ickowitz ✵ R. Wilder Photography Susan Jeffers Photography
Contributing Writers Janan Talafer ✵ Tracy Ann Guida
Intern RaLisha Ann Wilder
Digital retoucher Juan Silva
Get VERTICAL...and be part of something fabulous! VERTICALTampaBay.com Copyright 2014 VERTICAL™ Tampa Bay. All rights reserved. Reproduction, either in whole or in part, is forbidden without written permission from the publisher. Articles and advertisements published in VERTICAL Tampa Bay do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.VERTICAL Tampa Bay assumes no liability for the content and shall not be held liable for any errors or omissions. No responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. All letters and press releases sent to VERTICAL Tampa Bay may be unconditionally assigned for publication and are subject to VERTICAL Tampa Bay’s editorial comment.VERTICAL Tampa Bay is not to be held liable for the quality or performance of goods or services rendered by the advertisers in this publication.
STYLISH
Photographer: Leslie Joy Ickowitz
Lighting: RaLisha Wilder Stylist: Leslie Joy Ickowitz Hair: Bill Baker Makeup: Monique McLaughlin of Makeup and Hair by Monique Model: Vimala Faith Tech Advisors: Mariana & Khaled Mosli
Post Production: Juan Silva
Fashion: Look 1 / Rehab Look 2 / Rehab Look 3 / Allusions by A. Lekay Look 4 / Misred | Rehab | Queen’s Fabrics Look 5 / House of Donshey | Rehab Look 6 / La France Look 7 / Rehab | Queen’s Fabrics Look 8, 9, 10 / Rehab
EXPOSURE
MRS. ROBOTO Local Art that’s Out of this World Story by Janan Talafer ❧ Brian James Gallery Photography Sarah’s Portrait by R. Wilder Photography
Step into the CyberCraft Robots’ orbiting laboratory in Sarah Thee Campagna’s St. Petersburg workshop and you’ll see bins of distributor caps from old cars, lawnmower parts, candleholders, pot lids and other found objects in metal and glass. They are the building blocks for an army of robots, ray guns and spaceships. “We scour the planet for secret robot parts and reassemble them into the robots they were intended to be,” says Sarah, an artist with a wicked imagination, a passion for science fiction and a full-time job as the Chief Robot Creator for CyberCraft Robots. She spends Fridays going to estate and garage sales hunting for just the right piece. Currently on her list – something to create a cowboy hat for the new cowboy robot she’s working on. The robots are not welded together, but assembled with drills and fasteners to make their bodies appear more realistic and kinetic, as if they can walk and talk and have emotions, Sarah says. Putting on the eyes is really important—it’s the crowning moment that brings them to life. Each robot is also made with a special secret symbol that has been passed down through history as part of the CyberCraft Robot mythology. There’s the dapper looking Carl “Carlton Ritz” Gearbino the “BotFather” with his top hat, pocket watch and monocle. The head of one of the robot crime families, Gearbino now lives with his new owner, Tom Pritchard, executive chef of Salt Rock Grill. His older sister, the Queen of the Robots, remains behind in the orbiting laboratory where she rules with a “lacquered steel fist” and torments young robots by holding them upside down. Much like the characters in a fiction novel, the robots “begin to inform me who they are,” Sarah says. “Each one has a unique story, which unfolds as I begin to assemble them.“ For example, the Lady in the Veil, a robot priestess with flashing LED lights, was originally intended to be a princess until Sarah says, “she came to me in a dream to communicate her secret.” Sarah started out her career as a computer systems analyst. But after taking an art therapy class, her creative side couldn’t be denied and she began making jewelry, quilts and greeting cards, eventually moving into 3-D collage art with a message. Two years ago, during the time her husband Dave was recovering from a lung transplant, Sarah felt compelled to move into something less serious and more fun. As she tells the story, the robots were looking for a human representative and a new home for their orbiting laboratory. She was a looking for a new artistic expression. It was a match made in robot heaven. cybercraftrobots.com
VERTICAL IS… A CELEBRATION VERTICAL IS… A MOVEMENT VERTICAL IS… A LOVE LETTER
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TASTE
BEAUTIFUL FOOD Restaurant BT’s Colorful, Cultural Cuisine Story by Tracy Ann Guida ❧ Photos courtesy of Restaurant BT Food has the power to transport you to other places, nourishing the mind, body and soul along the way. Cushioned in the posh Palma Ceia neighborhood, Restaurant BT provides an exotic excursion and has long been a favorite of locals and foodies from across the country. Emphasizing chef owner BT Nguyen’s philosophy: Eat Local, Think Global, dishes are crafted with flavors and influences from Vietnam, France, Spain and Florida. Intoxicating aromas dance from the kitchen into the chic, minimalist dining room, luring your attention to the menu. Evidence of BT’s background in fashion design emerges with each gorgeous plate to arrive around you. Cocktails are fashioned with fresh fruits and local herbs that blend together beautifully. The Blood Orange with Ginger and Mint Saketini combines blood orange juice and sake with fresh muddled mint and ginger that appeals to all of the senses. Served in a stainless steel martini glass and garnished with mint, the presentation adds a sleek, modern touch to the drink. Temptation continues with an inspired array of starters. Fresh Rolls with Gulf shrimp, herbs, bean sprouts, hydro lettuce, rice noodles, tamarind, kaffier lime and peanut sauce are almost too pretty to eat and set the tone for a memorable culinary journey. Bo Tai Chanh—another favorite—showcases tartare of filet mignon, ginger, garlic, chili, opal basil, cilantro, peanuts, shallots, lime juice, heart of palm and micro passion Champagne drops. Ideal for sharing, these are sure to be conversation pieces as one
can’t help but be amazed by the intricate presentation that yields such incredible flavors. With the starters serving as a catalyst to the main feature, BT showers her guests with passion that translates to the plate. Vegetarians rejoice with brilliant dishes such as Food Karma which features braised organic tofu, turnip, pineapple, edamame, shiitake mushroom, snowflake mushroom, okra, eggplant, soy sauce, galangal (in the ginger family), coconut broth and brown rice. Florida seafood shines in dishes such as Cote Basque Prawns—Gulf prawns, Espelette pepper, coconut scented black rice, grilled sweet peppers and seafood emulsion. This dish is a visual and edible masterpiece. One of my favorites is Shaken Beef—a generous portion of cubed filet mignon dressed with Courvoisier cognac, Swiss soy sauce, crispy shallots, watercress and tomatoes served with jasmine rice. Accessorized with an elegant tomato rose, this signature dish is adored by many. An evening of culinary seduction concludes with seasonal desserts, Vietnamese coffee and herbal teas. BT’s desserts tend to be on the lighter side and are also prepared with meticulous artistry. Banana Tapioca Pudding—a creamy blend of coconut milk, roasted peanuts and toasted coconut flakes, and Coconut Panna Cotta—a delightful marriage of lychee and passion fruit broth finished with pineapple and roasted coconut create a sweet end to a delicious departure you’ll look forward to exploring again. Restaurantbt.com
Photography Focusing on Objects of Desire, Travel, Nature, Art & Fashion
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WANDERLUST
YOSEMITE Happy (150th) Anniversary at Yosemite National Park Photography by Leslie Joy Ickowitz
PEACE OUT