Scarfone/Hartley Gallery Showing by Bob Layton and Bask
Bob Layton at the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery (Photo by VTB Photographer, Keir Magoulas)
Excited crowds of art aficionados and comic fans alike filled the gallery for the Bob Layton & Bask showing, which ran from August 1-3 at the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery on the campus of the University of Tampa.
Pictures from Gallery Showing (photos by VTB Photographer, Keir Magoulas)
Ales Bask Hostomsky, Bob’s co-star of the exihibit, fled communist Czechoslovakia as a young child and growing up under the hot Florida sun, Ales Bask Hostomsky took an early interest in graffiti art. Now a prolific artist with work in galleries across the country, Bask’s art covers walls from Detroit to Brooklyn to St. Petersburg.
His work often contains a unique blend of propaganda and consumerism. He previously collaborated with Marvel in 2013, bringing to life the Mandarin’s (Ben Kingsley) propaganda campaign and artwork displayed throughout the film ‘Iron Man 3”.
During the days of the exhibit, Fox 13 Tampa’s Charley Belcher visited University of Tampa’s Scarfone/Hartley Gallery for their exhibit celebrating the work of Bob Layton and Bask.
- ‘Iron Man’ artist to be honored by Hillsborough County for contribution to Florida’s film industry (Fox13 Tampa Bay)
- VIDEO: Celebrating a visionary of the comics industry at University of Tampa (Fox13 Tampa Bay)
- VIDEO: Good Day Goodies: Extended version (Fox13 Tampa Bay)
Charley Belcher is a three-time Emmy award-winning feature reporter. His stories air Monday through Friday mornings on Good Day Tampa Bay in a segment called “Charley’s World.” They are stories about people and events in the Tampa Bay area all told from Charley’s creative perspective.
BOB LAYTON DAY in Tampa
On August 4th, the historic Tampa Theater hosted both Marvel fans and movie connoisseurs for a special viewing of the film that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe– “Iron Man” (2008).
The screening, hosted by Film Tampa Bay, honored comic book creator Bob Layton for his contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as his work for the film and television industry in the state of Florida.
Credited with reinventing the Iron Man comic in the ‘70s, Layton’s contributions are credited with helping to make the film franchise the success it is today.
The event’s pre-show began with a “Meet and Greet” with Layton, at 6 p.m. The first 150 guests received complimentary popcorn and soda, as well as an exclusive Iron Man print signed by Bob.
With all 1500 seats sold out, the program began with Bob receiving an official commendation from City Commissioner Ken Hagen, and the Board of Commissioners of Hillsborough County, for his work with the Film Tampa Bay in championing the entertainment industry in Florida. After the award ceremony, the film began, with thunderous applause.
After the screening, Layton stated,”I forgot how great this movie is! It has really has aged well over the last 15 years! It is, in my mind, still the best comic-to-film adaptation ever done.”
After the movie, there was a special treat—a five-minute film created by Jason Spriggs and Ray Gun Productions, covering the 45 year career of Bob Layton, with contributions from Bob’s family and coworkers. It ended with a standing ovation which nearly brought Bob to tears.
A discussion panel with Layton and Tampa Film Commissioner Tyler Martinolich followed the show, highlighting Bob’s feelings about the Iron Man movie everyone just enjoyed.
Rather than answering Tyler directly, Bob rocked the entire audience by introducing to the stage, his good friend, Academy Award Nominee, show runner of “The Expanse” and screenwriter of “Iron Man”–Hawk Ostby, who took time out from his busy schedule to share the stage with him. Once the thunderous applause died down, a Q&A with Bob and Hawk proceeded with the audience until the show’s end.
Thank you to Film Tampa Bay and all those involved, for hosting “Bob Layton Week” in the city of Tampa.
The occasion was, in the words of Bob Layton himself, “one of the greatest weeks of my life”.
