Soldier's Lens 2026 Opening Reception

A Soldier's Lens opens at Historic Ybor on Thursday, November 5, with a reception from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. The City of Tampa is hosting the opening for the second year in a row, and the exhibition itself is a collection of photography that looks at military life through the eyes of those who served and their families. It's a community gathering meant to honor the sacrifice, connection, and strength of service members.

If you're not familiar with the neighborhood, the reception is at 1630 East 7th Avenue in Historic Ybor, Florida's Latin Quarter. It's a National Historic Landmark District named for Vicente M. Ybor, the cigar factory owner who moved his operation from Key West to Ybor City in 1886. By the end of the 19th century, the area had become the world's largest producer of hand-rolled cigars, drawing waves of Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants. Today it's still a shopping, dining, and entertainment district where the art of the premium hand-rolled cigar lives on and the nightlife is as colorful as the Spanish flamenco dancers.

Between the photos and the neighborhood, there's a lot to take in. The reception runs from 5:30 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 5, at 1630 East 7th Avenue, and tickets are $12.