I really didn’t know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised.  I had called my mother about an hour before and asked if she would like to go.  I also suggested that she could buy dinner for us afterward.  She laughed and obliged.  Thank you Mom.

My mother and I wandered around the exhibit for about 20 minutes before Hughes, a professor of art at The University of Texas at Tyler, spoke briefly about his new works.  The artist has entitled the new body of work Neocryptofunk.  What a cool new word.  All of the new sculptures on exhibit were fabricated from steel during the recent holiday break.  View a few of the detail images from Neocryptofunk on the artists website.

I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit and recommend making a special visit to Melvin Gallery at Florida Southern College before it closes on February 24.  Gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm when school is in session.

While you are there, stop by the “Child of the Sun” Visitor Center located in the William M. Hollis Exhibition and Seminar Room.  It’s a short walk from Melvin Gallery.  Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida is home to the largest one-site-collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.  View photos of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Child of the Sun” architecture on the beautiful campus by clicking here.

I’m a proud 1999 graduate of Florida Southern College. It was a beautiful campus back then and I am amazed to see the beauty expand over the past 12 years.  Drop by to see for yourself why The Princeton Review recently honored Florida Southern College as the #1 Most Beautiful Campus in the nation.  And, don’t forget your camera.  You’ll take home some beautiful memories.

This was the most enjoyable 30 minute break I’ve taken in a long time.  I highly recommend seeing “Blacklight by Al Kriston” before it closes. Find out for yourself, decide what you like and what you think.  You will definitely leave inspired and smiling.

On exhibit through October 28: Blacklight by Al Kriston. Melvin Gallery at Florida Southern College presents Winter Haven resident Al Kriston’s award winning work and impressive display of blacklight sculpture. When College is in session, the Melvin Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Check out the center column of the Polk Arts Website home page for a listing and summaries of what’s on exhibit right now in Polk County.  There is something for everyone.

Bev Hendricks

Register for a chance to win awesome “ARTS” prizes at participating arts and cultural events in Polk County.  Look for the Heart of the Arts Logo and provide your contact information once at each event you attend, so we can contact you if you are a winner. The more activities you experience, the more opportunities you have to win. Drawings take place in early November.

Saturday, October 15

Boktoberfest Plant Sale & Celebration from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bok Tower Gardens.

The 25th Annual Fallfest, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Polk State College.

Family Fun Workshop - Drawing at the Winter Haven Public Library. 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.  An off-site program of Polk Museum of Art. Cost: FREE for everyone. Learn more!

Creative Studies: Victim and Victimizer, A program by The Center for Creative Studies at Polk Museum of Art.

A Night at the Opera…Scenes. Presented at 7 p.m. by Southeastern University students at Polk Museum of Art.

Sunday, October 16

Lake Wales Brass and Emanon Trumpet Ensemble, 2 p.m. at the Lake Wales Arts Center.

PSC Students Perform a Fall Festival of Music, 2:30 p.m. at Polk State College.

Attend arts activities this month and register for a chance to win awesome “ARTS” prizes! The rules are easy. Look for the Heart of the Arts Logo at participating arts and cultural events in Polk County.  Provide your contact information one time at each activity, so we can contact you if you are a winner. The more activities you experience, the more opportunities you have to win. Drawings take place in early November.

This weekend in the Heart of the Arts (Oct 7-9):

Oct 6-9: The Full Monty at Theatre Winter Haven

Oct 7: View & Review – Critiquing Emerging Artists (Photography) at Polk Museum of Art.

Oct 7: Ask a Gardener at Bok Tower Gardens

Oct 7: People’s Choice at Arts on the Park

Oct 7: Half Price Admission to Explorations V from 6-8pm

Oct 7: Cracker Storytelling Festival Ghost Stories at Polk County Historical Museum

Oct 7-8: THE EDGE Stage Read Series – “Hot L Baltimore” LCT at Lake Mirror Theatre

Oct 8: Opening Reception for Student Exhibition at Polk Museum of Art

Oct 8: History Highlights Polk Proud 150 at 2pm at Bok Tower Gardens

Oct 8: Underground at the Polk at the Historic Polk Theatre

Oct 9: Edward W. Bok Birthday Carillon Concerts at Bok Tower Gardens

View the complete EVENT CALENDAR.

Visit our listing with links to Polk’s arts & cultural organizations.

View the October events calendar on polkarts.org, or learn more about the inaugural Heart of the Arts Festival in the fall issue of Art-i-facts Magazine available at Polk Outpost 27, Polk Museum of Art, Theatre Winter Haven, Lake Wales Arts Center and numerous arts and cultural venues throughout Polk County.

Polk’s inaugural  Heart of the Arts Festival is sponsored in part by the Polk County Advertising Federation.

Saturday, October 1^st

7pm & 10pm: Le Cabaret de Polk at the Historic Polk Theatre inLakeland. The songs of Johnny Cash performed by some of your favorite local artists: Brian Sutherland, Craig Morby, Sarah Machinia, Kimberly Milton, and Sharon Clark. Directed by Paul Hughes. Musical director Patrick Fleitz.

2:30pm & 7:30pm: The Full Monty at Theatre Winter Haven.  At heart, a musical comedy, this is the most fun you can have when others take their clothes off. In fact, you may laugh so hard you can hardly “bare” it. Katrina Ploof directs the action with Kevin Davis choreographing.

10am – Noon: Lake Wales Arts Council hosts a Meet the Highwaymen and painting demo by Florida Highwayman Robert Lewis.  Highwaymen Al Black and Issac Knight will also be in attendance. Bob Beatty’s Florida’s Highwaymen, Legendary Landscapes books are available at the Arts Center.  This event is the perfect time to purchase a book and have it signed! Paintings by all three Highwaymen will be available for sale. There is no admission charge for this event but donations are always appreciated.

10am – 4pm (bring your own lunch): Beginning Photography – Point & Shoot at Polk Museum of Art with instructor Gregory Mills. Cost: $35 Members, $50 Non-Members (Pre-registration Required)

10:30am – Noon: Family Fun Workshop – Drawing at the Polk Museum of Art. A safe, fun environment for families to participate together in hands-on activities led by an art educator. FREE for everyone.

7:30pm: Ultimate Broadway: Memorable Movement & Musical Moments with Lakeland Community Theatre and Florida Dance Theatre.

Sunday, October 2^nd

2:30pm: The Full Monty at Theatre Winter Haven.  Last chance is Oct 6-9.

2:00pm: Last chance to see Ultimate Broadway: Memorable Movement & Musical Moments with Lakeland Community Theatre and Florida Dance Theatre.

2:00pm: Sunday Classic Film Walk the Line at Historic Polk Theatre.

2:00pm: Auditions for It’s A Wonderful Life at Theatre Winter Haven.

Learn more about what’s going on in Central Florida’s Heart of the Arts by viewing the October events calendar on polkarts.org, picking up the fall issue of Art-i-facts Magazine available at Polk Outpost 27, Polk Museum of Art, Theatre Winter Haven, Lake Wales Arts Center and numerous arts and cultural venues throughout Polk County, or at visitcentralflorida.org.

Arts & Cultural Events and Exhibits this week.
Monday, September 26 – Sunday, October 2, 2011
Click the links below to learn more.

Events:

Sep 26-Nov 5: Fall Art Classes at Polk Museum of Art
Sept 26-30: Explorations V Children’s Daily Sessions
Sept 26: After School Art (Ages 5 & Up)
Sept 26 & 27: Auditions for LCT Main Stage Production of Anything Goes
Sept 27: ISO Masterworks I: “Magic of the Flute”
Sept 29: Fall Film Series – Islands in Time
Sept 29-Oct 2: The Full Monty
Sept 30 – Oct 1: Le Cabaret de Polk
Oct 1: Meet the Highwaymen & Painting Workshop
Oct 1: Beginning Photography – Point & Shoot
Oct 1: Family Fun Workshop – Drawing
Oct 1-2: Ultimate Broadway – Memorable Movement & Musical Moments
Oct 2: Final 2011 Sunday Summer Classic Film – Walk the Line
Oct 2-3: Auditions for “It’s A Wonderful Life”

Exhibitions:

Through Sept 29: Emerging Environmentalists Art Exhibit
Through Sept 30: Artists Alexis Gonzales & Evelyn Verhey
Through Oct 8: Figuration
Through Oct 9: Inspirations, The Members Exhibition
Through Oct 13: Against All Odds: The Florida Highwaymen
Open Sept 30-Oct 28: Blacklight by Al Kriston
Through Oct 31: Hispanic Heritage Gallery Exhibit
Open Oct 1-31: Artist Ronald Fields & the High School Show
Through Nov 13: The (Lost) Art Of Drawing
Open Oct 1-Dec 1: Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson Music & Nature Paper Painting Art Exhibit
Through Dec 10 – Jessica Lange: In Mexico
Through Dec 10 – En Plein Sight: Paintings by Lilian Garcia-Roig
Through May 1, 2012: Ridge Art Presents Third Annual Aviation Exhibition

Sept 19-23, 10:30am-12:00pm
Daily Sessions at Explorations V Children’s Museum

Magical Monday, Sept 19           Where the Wild Things Are       Literacy
Terrific Tuesday, Sept 20           Fall Leaf Match                              School Readiness
Wacky Wednesday, Sept 21       Cracker Toppers                           Cup Cooking”
Thrilling Thursday, Sept 22       Traffic Sign Shapes                      Science/Math
Fun Friday, Sept 23                      Sunflower Garden                        Creative Activities

All sessions are included with admission, which is $7 per person. Senior Citizens age 65 and over and military are $3.50. Children under two are free. Additional information can be obtained by calling 863.687.3869 or via email to info@explorationsv.com.  Visit us on the web at www.explorationsv.com.

Sept 20, 5:45-7:00pm
Tea & Symphony: Magic of the Flute
The Lake Hunter Room at The Lakeland Center

The first event of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra’s 2011-2012 Season. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, tea or a glass of wine with other music lovers and learn about the life and music of the composers featured on the upcoming Masterworks Concert on the following Tuesday (Sept 27). These fascinating lecture/demonstrations are facilitated by Music Director Mark Thielen. Admission is $15 at the door. Phone: 863.688.3743.

Sept 21, 7:00pm and 9:00pm
RAW TV: Live Shows in Bolin Studio

Southeastern University’s RAW TV, is a live, student-produced, television talk show that targets young adults. The mission of RAW TV, whose acronym stands for “Real And Willing,” is to openly discuss relevant issues and topics with its guests. In September 2007, the show began appearing nationwide on National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Network via satellite television. Learn more about RAW TV on the Southeastern University website or by phone 863.667.5119.

Bok Tower Gardens Remembers at 2 p.m.
Commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 during a time of quiet reflection as we honor the memory of our fallen heroes. Help plant two live oak tree dedicated to world peace during a special ceremony featuring Rob Quam, Lake Wales Care Center director. Included with admission; 863-676-1408; www.boktowergardens.org

10th Anniversary Commemorative Concert at 4 p.m.
The Bach Festival of Central Florida and Florida Southern College present a Tenth Anniversary Commemorative Concert of September 11, 2001 at FSC’s Branscomb Auditorium. The program features choruses, orchestras, bands and other music ensembles of all ages from Central Florida to remember and honor those who lost their lives that tragic morning. The featured soloist is Kimberly Milton. The music will be traditionally American. All are invited. Admission is free.

The program includes quotations from memorial words and searching questions, which were posted on churches, walls and fences surrounding Ground Zero. These were posted in the days and weeks following the smoldering holocaust and remain on the barricades of the entire area to this day.

ROTC Honor Guard Flag ceremonials will open and close the event along with the singing of the National Anthem and patriotic favorites. The intention of the concert is to be a tribute to the fallen heroes of that dreadful day when the whole world stood still.  “Lest We Forget.”

9/11 Memorial Concert at 7 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church presents a “9/11 Memorial Concert” on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in the FPC Sanctuary, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, at 7:00 p.m.  This concert is FREE and open to the public.  All are welcomed to attend and join in this remembrance!

The concert will include the haunting Fauré “Requiem” and Copland’s “Quiet City” as musical tributes to the tragic events that occurred ten years ago on 9/11.  Interspersed with the music and congregational hymns, this Memorial Concert includes poignant stories, poetry, and scripture to evoke recollections of that heartbreaking day in our history.

Lakeland’s Chandler King returns from the American Boychoir in Princeton, NJ to sing Fauré’s beloved “Pie Jesu.”

Friday, September 2nd

Okay, it’s First Friday and I live in Lakeland. So, I’m off to celebrate the Dog Days of Summer that takes place from 6-9pm in Downtown Lakeland. First, I’m going to Five Guys Burgers and Fries for dinner at around 4:30pm. I’ve never been to Five Guys, so I’m trying something new.  After dinner, I’m heading downtown to check out the classic cars on Tennessee Avenue, to stroll the shops and wander the gallery at Arts on the Park where I’ll vote for the People’s Choice Award before I find my place to watch the Pooch Parade.

The Pooch Parade begins at 7:30pm on the corner of Bay Street and Kentucky Avenue, will proceed south on Kentucky Avenue past Munn Park, and ends at the intersection of South Kentucky Avenue and Lemon Street.  I don’t have a dog, but I enjoy seeing other people’s dogs.

Saturday, September 3rd

I’m an early riser and I want to get on the road quickly before I find myself working on the computer, doing housecleaning or yard work.  First, I’m off to Lake Wales to check out the new exhibit in the Michael Crews Gallery at the Lake Wales Arts Center.

Against All Odds: The Florida Highwaymen opened at the Lake Wales Arts Center on September 1st and runs through October 13th. The exhibit features paintings from all 26 of the Florida Highwaymen and offers a rare opportunity to view some of the most iconic images of Florida.  The LWAC is open Saturday from 9am-4pm.

After visiting the Highwaymen exhibit, I’m heading to Bok Tower Gardens for lunch in the Blue Palmetto Cafe, then a stroll through the Emerging Environmentalists: McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy Art Exhibit in the Visitor’s Center. This exhibit includes the original artwork on the front cover of the summer issue of Art-i-facts Magazine created by Mariela Cruz.  The exhibit ends on September 29th.  At 1pm, I plan to listen to the Singing Tower Carillon from my favorite place in the Gardens, the Window on the Pond. After my visit to Lake Wales, it will be time to drive home for a much deserved nap.  I love naps.  By the way, Bok Tower Gardens is open 365 days a year from 8am-6pm, with the last admission at 5pm.

Sunday, September 4th

Okay, I’ll admit it.  I’ve never seen the classic film Casablanca.  So, I’m heading to the Polk Theatre to see it at 2pm on the big screen. And, I’m saving up some of my calories for the day to have some popcorn and a beer at the Theatre. I’m not normally much of a moviegoer, because I have troubles sitting still, but the Polk Theatre is one of my favorite Polk places.  I’ll record the Rays vs Orioles game at 1:40pm to watch later.

I’m reserving Monday for total relaxation, visiting the grandkids and of course the Rays vs Rangers game at 1:10pm.

Have a wonderful Lazy Day Weekend in beautiful Central Florida.