Tampa Bay native Michael Knapp (b. 1956) initially studied commercial art at a vocational high school, beginning a career in advertising at the age of 18. He later returned to his studies to take up fine art, first at Hillsborough Community College and later at the University of South Florida. For the past 23 years, Knapp has been employed at Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), initially as an exhibit designer, and for the past six years as artist in residence. During museum hours, Knapp is literally on exhibit, live painting at his open studio within the museum.