The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (GFA) announced the selection of the Festival Image which will be used to promote the 54th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Entitled Ride Your Way by Karina Llergo, the image is an excellent example of the quality of art on display by our 230+ main show artists and 15 emerging artists on March 2-3, 2024 at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in downtown Tampa.
Karina Llergo was born and raised in Mexico City where she received her bachelor’s degree in graphic design as well as advanced degrees in multimedia, animation, and abstract art. She studied with famed Mexican artist Roberto Cortazar and portraitist Enrique Estrada, who both saw her talent and strongly encouraged her to continue her artistic journey.
While keeping art at the forefront of her mind and heart, Karina enjoyed a highly successful corporate career as art director for Mexico City’s top newspaper Reforma and at illustrious advertising agency McCann Erickson. Among the many campaigns she helped create some of her most memorable were for clients such as Coca-Cola, Revlon, and Kimberly Clark.
Throughout her professional life, Karina painted and worked tirelessly to develop her unique style. As a lifelong dancer, competitive swimmer and avid skydiver, she found herself drawn to depicting on canvas the palpable energy of the human body in motion. Driven by these fascinations and armed with her talent for figurative painting, Karina found a way to translate her observations and creative imagination into thought-provoking paintings of breathtaking beauty.
Since moving to Chicago in 2007 and transitioning to art full time, Karina’s work has received high praise and she is greatly admired throughout the vibrant Chicagoland art world. Among her many accolades, Karina has received numerous Outstanding Achievement and Best In Show awards at distinguished art shows all over Chicagoland and exhibits in galleries throughout the United States.

Of Mexican, Armenian, and Spanish descent, Karina’s diverse background influences her life in every way, as does her insatiable passion for the creative arts. She is a highly decorated artists with many awards earned, including 2022 Best of Category at the Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival in Hinsdale, Illinois and 2021 Best of Category in the Gold Coast Art Fair in Chicago.
“The significance of having my painting selected for the Festival holds great personal and artistic value for me. Ride Your Way is a piece of my soul, and having it chosen creates a deep emotional connection,” said Llergo. “It’s a moment of celebration and inspires me to continue pushing boundaries by exploring new facets of my artistic practice.”
Llergo is no stranger to GFA. She has been part of the main show for the last three years and feels it is one of the top shows she’s participated in. She credits GFA’s commitment to promoting and showcasing diverse art, exemplary organization, outstanding award recognitions, and community engagement as what sets GFA apart. She anticipates being a part of GFA for years to come.
As a lifelong dancer, Llergo has always been drawn to artwork that features movement and the human form.
“I continually seek fresh ways to capture the magic of energy through motion of the human body,” said Llergo. “I turn figures into fluid entities. I weave dance, air, and water, into my paintings to create another unworldly likeness.”
Ride Your Way will be featured on all promotional materials, ad campaigns, and merchandise that will be available at the 54th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts.