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

The Museum did something similar to this at its Patron Preview Reception a couple of weeks ago, and many of the patrons were amazed at the difference between how the sculptures appear when they are still and fully lit, and how they appear when they are moving and only lit by the strobe lights.

If you’re a little confused, check out this movie featuring one of the pieces in the exhibition. Keep in mind that this is a sculpture!

The event will begin at 12:15pm and is free with admission to the exhibition: $10 for adults, $8 seniors, $5 members, $4 member seniors, and $2 for students Kindergarten through college.

http://gregorybarsamian.com/video/Lather/

http://gregorybarsamian.com/video/Copropha/

What you’re seeing in that footage is not a film — it’s a sculpture. Well, three different sculptures, to be precise. And that’s what you’ll see in person if you visit the Museum between March 14 and June 7.

Unbelievable Transformations: Moving Sculptures by Gregory Barsamian will feature 5 pieces by the New Jersey artist. The Museum exhibited Barsamian’s work about 10 years ago, and people have been asking when it would be coming back since then.

Barsamian’s unique works combine a series of sculpted images on a rotating framework with a synchronized strobe light. The result is the illusion that the sculpture is transforming in front of the viewer’s eyes. In some works, sculptures appear to be stationary yet morph seamlessly from one object into another. In other works, the sculptures appear to move and transform at the same time. The impact is magical.

Barsamian’s work is often based on dream imagery and philosophy. Immediately upon waking, he records his dreams and uses them as a starting point for new sculptures. He is also interested in the concept of time, and feels that sculpture, more than two dimensional art, relies upon time — in the act of viewing — to be understood fully. He has taken this idea further by creating artwork that appears to change with time.

Admission to this exhibition is $10 Adults, $8 Seniors, $5 Member Adults, $4 Member Seniors, $2 Students (K – College). Children under age 5 will be admitted free. The Museum will also be open until 8:00pm on Thursday evenings for the duration of the exhibition, and Museum members will be admitted for free during that time.

Humback Whale Tail by Thomas Givens

Ten new sculptures have been selected to be displayed in the Central Park area of Downtown Winter Haven, and they’ve already started to arrive!

The new sculptures include full scale humpback whale tail made from laminated reclaimed mahogany, a large group of objects that look like oversized children’s toys, a female figure made from copper leaves, a piece made from three twisted number “7s”, and several beautiful abstract pieces. The selected artists and sculptures to be displayed are listed below. You can also go to Polk Museum of Art’s website to see images of all of the pieces that will be coming.          

James M. Bojarzuk, (Orlando, FL), Big Ideas, Mixed: Foam core with Portland cement, wood, fiberglass, and copper, 7.5’ x 16’ x 16’

Robert Coon, (Vero Beach, FL), My Big Red, Painted aluminum, 15’ x 7’ x 6’

Thomas Givens, (Charlottesville, VA), Humpback Whale Tail, Reclaimed Honduras mahogany lamination, 11’ x 17’ x 9’

Gary Gresko, (Oriental, NC), Eve, Copper leaves, 9’ with pedestal

James Irving, (Morrisville, VT), Wishbone, Painted steel, 4’ x 3’ x 8’

Bruce A. Niemi, (Kenosha, WI), Seven, Seven, Seven, Stainless Steel, 14.6’ x 4’ x 4’

Beth Nybeck, (Cedar Falls, IA), Dire Enticement, Aluminum, 7.5’ x 4’ x 2’

Duke Oursler, (Pooler, GA), Dream Ladder, Steel and wood, 13’ x 5’ x 4’ 

Adam C. Walls, (Red Springs, NC), Rings, Steel, 9’ x 7’ x 7’

Bill Wood, (Fairfax, VA), A Little Less Than Meets The Eye, Fiberglass and aluminum, 7’ x 9’ x 6’

Bruce Niemi with Seven, Seven, Seven, which is already installed.

The first sculpture has already been installed, and the rest will come in March. They’ll be on display until February of next year.

The sculptures are part of the Ninth Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition, which is a joint project of Polk Museum of Art and the City of Winter Haven. The Sculpture Competition Started in Lakeland, and then three years ago, Winter Haven became a part of it. Now, Lakeland has changed the format of their sculpture display, and Winter Haven has the honor of hosting the Sculpture Competition on its own.

A party will be held on April 9th in Downtown Winter Haven to celebrate the new sculptures. There will be music, food for purchase, and entertainment. Plus, everyone who comes can vote for their favorite sculpture.

For more information about the sculptures or the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition, call 863-688-7743,

People of all ages are coming out and enjoying the great art and the great food to be found around the lake. And a lot of people are wandering into Polk Museum of Art for a few minutes of AC and to see even more wonderful artwork.

So far, the MayFerries have been a big hit. Every time I see one, it’s full! And when I was driving one this morning, the people I picked up were really pleased to be able to catch a lift.

We’re looking forward to finishing off a great day, and celebrating some more at Mayfaire Saturday Night tonight. Be sure to come on down to Lake Morton in Downtown Lakeland before 5pm to see the art, and then mosey over to Lake Mirror for music by The Rogues and fireworks at 9pm. I’ll see you there!