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Pride in Arts & Entertainment Ask the Locals: Saumitra Chandratreya RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT
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aumitra Chandratreya has been making a difference through his work since moving to Tampa Bay in 2017 from his native Mumbai,
India. The visual artist and graphic designer says his goal for the area is to “make it as welcoming to everyone under the LGBTQIA+ spectrum as possible.” Chandratreya, who is gay and
He notes that LGBTQ visitors and
nonbinary, has accomplished that in a
residents throughout Tampa Bay “are
number of ways. “I have been blessed
welcomed, cherished and celebrated not
with a talent and I have nurtured it,” he
just by the larger community but by the
explains. “I give back to the community
city and county officials and that makes
through my work. I work pro bono for
it a very welcoming place.” That’s
causes that I believe in that help the
reflected within the immersive and
LGBTQIA+ community in the area.”
growing arts and entertainment scene
The artist serves on the education committee for the Warehouse
of which he’s a part. “I think about how welcomed I
Arts District in St. Petersburg,
felt when I moved here and I want
the nonprofit arts organization
to have that experience for everyone
dedicated to creating a vibrant
who chooses to move to Tampa Bay,”
arts community within and around
Chandratreya says. He shares some of
the area. Its mission is to build and
his favorite ways to experience the area
sustain a vibrant arts community to
for that reason on page 21. Check them
support the success of all artists and
out and be sure to head to our Business
the community at large.
Director on page 30 for even more!
PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD
