Intermediate/advanced: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Beginner/intermediate: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Limit 12 per class; reservations required. Materials list will be provided.

On Saturday, November 7, join Winter Haven designer and caterer Phillip Burkhart for this hands-on opportunity. All you have to do is provide your own container. Phillip is bringing the rest, including a boxed lunch that will be served in between the two sessions: one session is 10:30am-1:30pm and the other is 12:30-3:30pm. The cost for the workshop, including lunch, is $30 for Museum Members and $35 for Non-members.

Call 863-688-5423 to register because space is limited!

An example of one of Vicky Luffman's silk scarves.

Polk Museum of Art is  hosting a Silk Painting Workshop on Saturday, February 21, that will be taught by Vicky Luffman, a Lakeland based silk painter. She’s planning to cover all the basics of silk painting, so no experience necessary!

All materials will be provided but you should bring an apron or oversize t-shirt because the dyes are permanent. Once they get on your clothes, they’re there forever. You should also plan to bring your lunch.

Vicky also suggests that you come with photographs or ideas for designs. She says that flowers, landscapes, and still-lifes are the best for first time silk painters.

The workshop will start at 10:00am and end at 3:00pm. Cost is $75 for Museum members and $90 for non-members. You can call 863-688-5423 by February 18 to register or click here.

10:30-12:00 – Family Fun Workshop

Open to children of all ages. Create your own Day of the Dead Mask to march in our “Through the Museum, Day of the Dead Parade” FREE for everyone!

12:30-12:45 – Through the Museum, Day of the Dead Parade

Collect candy as you march the Museum to honor your ancestors and show off your new mask. FREE for everyone!

1:00-4:00 – Day of the Dead Art Workshop

Create your own Day of the Dead alter with all the traditional elements. $2 per child art supply fee.

For more information about the activities, please call 863-688-5423.

Here’s a quick rundown:

Exhibitions:

• Quackery to Remedy: 100 Years of Polk County Medicine and Our Patchwork Heritage: Museum Quilts at the Polk County Historical Museum.
• Members Show II, September 5 – 24, at Arts on the Park.
• Bridges, Livingston & Turro, September 5 – October 17, at Lake Wales Arts Center.
• Frederic Remington Makes Tracks… Adventures and Artistic Impressions, September 13 – November 9, at Polk Museum of Art.
• Generations: The Member’s Exhibition, September 24 – October 12, at Ridge Art Association.
• Platform Florida Art Party #12, one night only, September 27, at Florida Air Museum at Sun’n'Fun.

Performances:

• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at Lake Wales Little Theatre, September 12 – 21
• Anton Brees Birthday Carillon Concerts at Bok Tower Gardens, September 14
• Harrison School for the Arts Faculty Recital on September 18
• Nunsensations at Theatre Winter Haven, September 25 – October 12
• The Foreigner at Florida Southern College’s Buckner Theater, September 25 – 28 & October 2 – 5
• Anne of Green Gables at Lakeland Community Theatre, September 26 – 28
• Tea & Symphony: A Different Beat by Imperial Symphony Orchestra at The Lakeland Center on September 30.

Other Events:

• Family Fun Workshop with Polk Museum of Art at Polk County Historical Museum on September 13
• View & Review: Critiquing Emerging Artists at Polk Museum of Art, September 19
• Family Day at Polk Museum of Art, September 20
• Creative Studies Series: Mask of the Shaman Woman at Polk Museum of Art, September 21
• MEGA Monday for Moms Community Expo at Explorations V Children’s Museum, September 23
• A Workshop called “The Business of Fine Art” at Polk Museum of Art, September 27
• From Paintings to Fine Art Prints with Bob Rosensky, hosted by Lakeland Art Guild and held at the Peggy Brown Building at the Lake Mirror Complex, September 29

Whew! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If you love the arts, there is always something happening right here in Polk County! So get out there and enjoy it!

• Platform Florida’s Invitational Exhibition will be on display at Arts on the Park in Downtown Lakeland until August 26. Platform, for those of you who don’t know, is a local organization that hosts art parties all over the Lakeland area about 3 times a year. The parties feature great artists, fashion, films, music, and performance art. This exhibition will primarily focus on the visual artists, but I understand that the opening reception (8/1, 6-9pm) will involve music and film, as well.
• The Imperial Symphony Orchestra will be holding auditions for the 2008-2009 season by appointment only on August 5. Call 688-3743 or email info@imperialsymphony.org for information.
• Explorations V will be hosting its 17th Birthday X-travaganza and Marvelous Me! exhibition premier on August 23 from 10am – 3pm. The party will include all sorts of activities and museum exploration, particularly of the new exhibition which was designed by the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa. Admission is $5 per person and $2.50 for senior citizens.
• The Repeatles will be performing at Bok Tower Gardens on August 23 at 7:30pm. The Repeatles perform nostalgic 50s and 60s tunes by the likes of Buddy Holly, Elvis, the Everly Brothers, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles, just to name a few. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
• On August 26, the Imperial Symphony Orchestra will be hosting their first Music & Martinis of the year. The event will be held at the Exhibit Hall East at the Lakeland Center, and features light hors d’oeuvres and martinis made by celebrity guest bartenders. Tickets are $30 in advance ($40 on the day of the event) and include two martini coupons and a ballot to cast your vote for the best martini in Polk County. You have to be at least 21 years old to attend.

Last but not least, and since it is near and dear to my heart, let me tell you about August at Polk Museum of Art. Not only should you get in to see all the great exhibitions that are on display right now, but there are a few events in the works, too:

• August 8 – 10, the Museum will be hosting performances of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple by the Society Players of Lakeland. Tickets are $12 for General Admission and $9 for Students and Seniors. The performances are a benefit for the Museum’s SummerArt Camp Scholarship Fund to help deserving children develop their artistic talents!
• On August 17 at 5:00pm, the Center for Creative Studies will be meeting at the Museum to explore the fun world of didgeridoo playing. Guest speaker Lindsey Dank will lead participants through this fun workshop and talk about Australian music, culture, nature, and art. Tickets are $12 for Museum Members and $15 for Non-Members and include wine and light hors d’oeuvres. Registration with payment is required by August 11. Call 863-688-5423 to register.
• Tuesday, August 19 at 10:30am you can go on a Curator Tour of the exhibition All That Glitters is English Silver. Todd Behrens, the Curator of Art, will lead the tour and talk about the various pieces that are on display. It’s FREE with Museum admission and I think it even includes coffee!
• Finally, for the kids, there will be two Family Fun Workshops hosted in August. The first one is Saturday, August 2 at 10:30am at the Museum, and the second is Saturday, August 30 at 10:30am at Auburndale Public Library. Both workshops are completely FREE and will feature an activity about hand-coloring photographs.

So that’s all I know about! At least for now! I don’t want to hear any complaints about there not being anything to do around here. I’ve just given you a bunch of things.

And believe me, there are A LOT more planned for the rest of the year. A LOT. Pick up the new issue of Art-i-Facts when it comes out at the end of August to see just how much! Art-i-Facts can be picked up at any of Polk County’s arts organizations or you can read it online at www.PolkMuseumofArt.org or www.polkartsalliance.org. I hope to see you around!