Parachute Gallery is undergoing some changes. Stay tuned!
From October 2022 to August 2023, Parachute Gallery operated as a mission-driven exhibition space aiming to:
Amplify the voices of artists from a diversity of backgrounds and life experiences without tokenizing unique perspectives.
Elevate Crafts media in Tampa and nationally.
Highlight underrepresented regional artists and introduce fresh national artists to our city.
Exhibit Crafts media alongside painting, sculpture, and new media; self-trained artists alongside academic artists; and functional alongside aesthetic objects.
Obliterate the historical art hierarchies that perpetuate racism, sexism, and classism.
Then, from September 2023 to April 2024, Parachute Gallery transformed into a boutique gallery shop carrying the work of 15 regional artists primarily working in Crafts media. We worked to find high quality craftsmanship and distinct artistic vision to deliver one-of-a-kind pieces directly from our artists’ studios to our patrons. Through thoughtful curation, we provided gifts to counteract big box consumption and fast fashion.
Moving forward, Parachute Gallery will be presenting a guest curatorial project in the Kress Contemporary space (more soon). We will be focusing on online professional development resources for artists as well as off-site exhibitions and events. In all we do, we aim to build a sustainable and vibrant arts community. Thank you for your support!
Why “Parachute”? I’m passionate about building the infrastructures that support artists, and I hope Parachute can provide meaningful support and a soft landing for artists taking the incredible leap of faith required to pursue a creative career. And, for me personally, this pursuit is a mildly terrifying leap of faith. -Jessica Todd, Gallery Director
JESSICA TODD, Director/Owner, Parachute Gallery
Jessica is a curator, writer, and artist born and raised in northern Virginia, now living in Tampa, Florida. She is passionate about building the creative infrastructures that support artists in their careers.
Jessica earned a Master of Fine Arts in Jewelry/Metals/Enameling under Kathleen Browne from Kent State in 2014, a Bachelor of Arts in Art under James Thurman from Penn State in 2008, and a Diploma of Hispanic Studies from the University of Barcelona in 2009. From 2014 to 2020, she was the Residency Manager for the Rauschenberg Residency in Captiva, Florida. In April 2020, she moved to the Tampa Bay area and spent several years working for local arts organizations, including Tempus Projects, Artspace Tampa Initiative, Crab Devil, and the Morean Arts Center. Jessica opened Parachute Gallery in September 2022.
Learn more about Jessica at www.jesstoddstudio.com.
Our Philosophy • How we treat our artists
Artists are at the center of all we do. With thoughtful intention, we ensure that:
Each artist’s unique creative vision is valued and respected.
Communication is clear and consistent.
Artists are always given credit for their work.
Artists are not expected to mass-produce work.
Artists are paid on time for sales.
Artists have access to their collectors.
A big, heartfelt thank-you to all of the artists we work with at Parachute Gallery. We literally could not do this without you.