Jill Scott, co-owner of Home Port Gallery, is excited to be back in Apollo Beach. Lisa Stark photos/lisastark.com.
Home Port Gallery has come back home. And that’s good news to Apollo Beach residents whose walls are thirsting for something new and different.
Located in the old Winn-Dixie shopping complex on U.S. 41 N. and owned by Apollo Beach residents Dave and Jill Scott, Home Port Gallery features colorful fine art, limited edition lithographs, lively posters, corporate and residential art consultation, and affordable custom picture framing.
The Scotts, who spent 30-plus years serving in the U.S. Air Force, have returned to their home port of Apollo Beach after traveling around the world with their Fine Art business.
Their original venture, Capitol Art, was initially founded in a basement just outside Washington, D.C. Through the years, Capitol Art moved with them to Air Force bases in Germany, Kansas, England, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas and the Panama Canal.
From 1988 to 1992, Capital Art operated right here in Apollo Beach. It then reopened as Hoffman Porges Gallery in historic Ybor City, finally reopening as Home Port Gallery in March 2014, when the Scotts moved back to their hometown of Apollo Beach.
An interior view of Home Port Gallery.
Because “home is where the Air Force sends you,” the name Home Port just seemed like the logical choice, explained Jill Scott, who feels fortunate that a sizable portion of her loyal customers have followed her business here.
Over the years, Dave and Jill have seen the fine art and framing industry expand and change along with decorating trends and tastes, and the Scotts have worked diligently to keep up with this growth. Art purchases from the Scotts continue to grace the walls of hundreds of collectors and corporations worldwide.
Whether it’s an original canvas, a limited edition lithograph or a beautiful giclee — a fine art digital print made with archival-quality prints— you’re likely to find it at Home Port Gallery. The gallery exhibits the work of established as well as emerging talent, including local artists, in addition to artisans from Haiti, Cuba, Mexico, South America and Africa.
Many of Jill’s customers come to her with artwork they treasure but in need of new matting and framing. They are often delighted to find that Home Port’s framing prices are much lower than those of the big-box stores, and are done with personal care and service that they can’t find elsewhere.
Jill reports that nearly 75 percent of her business comes from repeat customers who come from Tampa Bay, Ybor City and beyond, just to bring their valuable art to a trusted source.
Painting by local Riverview artist Rhonda Long, whose graceful lines and bold use of color are her trademarks.
The philosophy of Home Port is that the presentation should complement the piece, not overwhelm it. It’s a credo that’s clearly evident in a quick perusal of the gallery. The artworks are carefully selected and tastefully presented. The pride of the gallery owners resonates in every piece.
Jill Scott is flexible in her creative methodology with clients. She can work directly with customers, or collaborate with professional interior designers, architects and corporate project managers to restore and renovate virtually any interior space.
All art pieces are custom framed in-house at Home Port’s fully equipped state-of-the-art workshop.
As Jill points out, refreshing your space doesn’t have to be painfully expensive. You may be surprised at what a little creative revamping can do for your home or office, and at an affordable price.
For more information, stop by Home Port Gallery, 6170 U.S. 41 in Apollo Beach; call 813-247-2000; or email hpart@live.com.
