2016 Instruments of Art (TAO)

By Guest Blogger Karla Espino

On February 6th, I had the pleasure of attending Tidewater Arts Outreach‘s 7th Annual Instruments of Art event and I can easily say it was amazing! Held at Decorum Furniture, the space was filled with carefully crafted pieces of artwork, gift certificates, and even vacations that would be auctioned off to support TAO’s mission. The theme was Havana Nights and everyone had a lot of fun dressing up in fedoras and Guayaberas.

But being fairly young and not yet in a great place financially, I was most excited to witness the live auction and see the many goodhearted and hardworking individuals of our area raising their programs to signify a bid. It was almost heart-racing to watch some couples bid back and forth for a 6-foot tall silver flamingo guitar…but it was all in good fun and for a great purpose. Not to mention it was a masterpiece!

While filming, I was able to meet some very influential people who spend their days working with people in health and dependent care environments, helping their healing process through art. Here’s a fun little video we put together to recap the evening.

I’m glad I was able to capture everyone doing what they loved while doing what I loved. Please visit TAO’s website and become informed of the many events all around Hampton Roads. Get involved and let your creative freak flag fly, we did!