The Arts in Lakeland

Arts.LakelandLocal.com - Three Lakeland Arts Orgs Nominated for Nickelodeon Parents’ Pick Awards

Meredith Spresser - Arts.LakelandLocal.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:03:35 +0000

I recently found out that Polk Museum of Art had been nominated for the Nickelodeon Parents’ Pick Awards, and while I was doing research to find out exactly which categories the Museum was in, I discovered that two other Lakeland arts organizations have also been nominated for the Tampa area: Explorations V Childrens’ Museum and Florida Dance Theatre. PMoA and Explorations V are both up for votes in the Best Art Class and Best Museum categories. FDT is under Best Dance Class.

Everyone who reads this site should go immediately to ParentsConnect.com and vote for our Polk County treasures! (Of course, I’m a little biased and hope you vote for PMoA…) Then tell your friends and family and business contacts to do the same. We are sorely behind the Tampa arts orgs, but just as deserving. You can vote once a day, every day, until July 15. Winners are announced in August.

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Originally Published as Three Lakeland Arts Orgs Nominated for Nickelodeon Parents’ Pick Awards

Arts.LakelandLocal.com - Studio 305 Presents Second Theatrical Production

Meredith Spresser - Arts.LakelandLocal.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:10 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about Studio 305, the new theater group operating out of Florida Dance Theatre on Main Street. I went to one of the performances of A Zoo Story, and I was really impressed. The story was enthralling and well presented. I’m not a good judge of stage acting since I’ve not been to a lot of theatre, so I can’t really comment on that part. On the whole, though, I left glad that I had come.

So now I’m happy to hear about their next production, two one act plays by James McClure: Laundry & Bourbon and Lone Star. Rocky Encalada, who directs the Studio 305 productions, told me that essentially you’ll be seeing the same story told from two points of view — that of a Vietnam soldier and of his wife as they discuss a situation with their friends. Sounds intriguing…

You can see it next weekend, June 19 - 21, at FDT. Times are 7:30pm Friday and Saturday, and 2:30pm Sunday. Tickets are $10 each. Rocky warns that this play contains adult content and language, so it might not be a good idea to bring the kiddies. Tell her that you heard about it here!

Laundry and Bourbon and Lone Star -- poster

Post from: The Arts in Lakeland

Originally Published as Studio 305 Presents Second Theatrical Production

Arts.LakelandLocal.com - Art-O-Mat at PMoA

Meredith Spresser - Arts.LakelandLocal.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:36:37 +0000

Today’s short but sweet post: Polk Museum of Art has a fun new “toy” in its lobby. It’s an Art-O-Mat — an old cigarette machine that has been refurbished to dispense original pieces of art for $5 each (+tax).

PMoA's Art-O-Mat

Clark Whittington, the founder of Art-O-Mat will be at the Museum on Saturday, June 27, to talk about the machines and how artists can have their work sold in them. That talk/presentation starts at 10:30 and is free with museum admission. I’ve heard that Clark is pretty entertaining to listen to.

Post from: The Arts in Lakeland

Originally Published as Art-O-Mat at PMoA

Arts.LakelandLocal.com - Summer Themed Sidewalk Art Competition at First Friday

Meredith Spresser - Arts.LakelandLocal.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:04:49 +0000

Just for the fun of it, Polk Museum of Art has gotten together with Explorations V and the Downtown Lakeland Partnership to create lots of fun stuff for First Friday (this Friday, the 5th!). One of the highlights is the sidewalk art contest for teens and adults that PMoA is hosting on the South Kentucky block (between Main and Lemon).

No artistic skill is necessary, no entry fee is required, and heck, they even provide the chalk. The winner will be determined by who creates the best interpretation of the theme “School’s Out for the Summer” — which, happily, is also the theme for this month’s First Friday! The winner will receive an as yet unknown number of Downtown Dollars that they can then freely spend at any downtown establishment.

If that’s not your cup of tea, there will also be a Summer Attire Contest, hula hoop contests (for kids and adults), a water-gun shoot-out for kids, bubble blowing, and a community art project — not to mention lots of entertainment. I’ll be out there in the PMoA section with my camera. I hope I see you there!

Post from: The Arts in Lakeland

Originally Published as Summer Themed Sidewalk Art Competition at First Friday

Arts.LakelandLocal.com - Studio 305 Opens With “Edgy” New Theatre Productions

Meredith Spresser - Arts.LakelandLocal.com — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:32:43 +0000

There’s a new theatre company in town that’s operating a little under the radar right now, but hopes to grow into something larger. Studio 305 is a outgrowth of Florida Dance Theatre that intends to produce edgy, raw, sometimes controversial theatre pieces that give our local, talented actors a place to really stretch their talents.

I found out about the group through my involvement with Florida Dance Theatre and I just got off the phone with Rocky Encalada, one of the founders. She was telling me that the concept for the group came out of a conversation with Freddie De Jesus, the Resident Choreographer for FDT. Both of them come from large cities where stark, emotional drama is readily available, and they missed that around here.

They have planned at least three performances for this summer, including the one that runs this weekend: The Zoo Story by Edward Albee. According to the press release, “This classic piece of American theatre tells a tale of isolation and loneliness that drives two men into emotional and psychological combat one Sunday afternoon in New York’s Central Park.” Sounds intriguing.

Performances are at Florida Dance Theatre’s studio at 305 West Main Street, tonight (May 29) and Saturday at 7:30, and Sunday at 2:30. Tickets are $10 each. Here’s the poster. Call Rocky at 327-6788 for more info.

Zoo Story poster

Post from: The Arts in Lakeland

Originally Published as Studio 305 Opens With “Edgy” New Theatre Productions

Arts.LakelandLocal.com - Polk Museum of Art Announces Reduced Summer Hours

Meredith Spresser - Arts.LakelandLocal.com — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:08:28 +0000

Polk Museum of Art is going to reduce its hours for the summer again this year. These hours will be in effect June 8 - August 31: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays. Normal hours will resume on September 1.

Post from: The Arts in Lakeland

Originally Published as Polk Museum of Art Announces Reduced Summer Hours

Arts.LakelandLocal.com - Find Shelter in PMoA’s New Exhibition

Meredith Spresser - Arts.LakelandLocal.com — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:20:26 +0000

Back Porch by Steven S. Gregory

Polk Museum of Art is opening three new exhibitions in June, and the first one is Shelter, an exhibition of works from the Museum’s permanent collection. Since I’ve been having a hard time putting the concept behind this exhibition into my own words, I’m just going to quote PMoA’s Curator of Art, Todd Behrens:

“The idea of a shelter can be anything from a physical enclosure to emotional security. Sometimes shelter is a state of mind in which one feels safe and protected. Sometimes shelter is simply a physical structure that leads to that state of mind.”

Shelter will be up (no pun intended!) June 7 - August 23 in the Museum’s Perkins Gallery, also known as the hallway gallery. Keep in mind that PMoA reduces its hours in the summer: Tues. - Sat. 10am - 4pm and closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays.

Post from: The Arts in Lakeland

Originally Published as Find Shelter in PMoA’s New Exhibition

Arts.LakelandLocal.com - SummerJamz at Polk Theatre

Meredith Spresser - Arts.LakelandLocal.com — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:56:55 +0000

So, I just found out about a really cool, innovative series of events happening this summer. I’d heard rumors of it, but this is the first I’d seen that showed it was a done deal. Polk Theatre and Florida Dance Theatre are teaming up with some serious local talent to present SummerJamz at Polk Theatre. Three events are planned (June 19, July 17, and August 14) that will feature live music by great local bands, sexy cool burlesque revues by BackseatCat Productions, fashion shows by Rae’s Vintage Wear, and too much fun!

The SummerJamz are for ages 18 and up, tickets are $10, and all proceeds will benefit Polk Theatre and Florida Dance Theatre. Doors open at 9, ladies are free before 10pm. Here’s the flyer:

Flyer for the SummerJamz series

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Originally Published as SummerJamz at Polk Theatre

Arts.LakelandLocal.com - Go Behind the Art of Gregory Barsamian at PMoA — Again

Meredith Spresser - Arts.LakelandLocal.com — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:09:50 +0000

In case you missed it the first time, on Friday, May 29, Polk Museum of Art will offer a unique opportunity for visitors to learn more about the artwork by Gregory Barsamian that is currently on display. For “Behind the Art,” Curator of Art Todd Behrens and Exhibits Specialist Gregory Mills will turn on the lights, turn off the machinery, and explain what makes this extraordinary artwork tick.

The program 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.

Post from: The Arts in Lakeland

Originally Published as Go Behind the Art of Gregory Barsamian at PMoA — Again

Arts.LakelandLocal.com - Mayfaire Best of Show Winners

Meredith Spresser - Arts.LakelandLocal.com — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:47:28 +0000

Since I was out walking around MIDFLORIDA Mayfaire by-the-Lake this morning, I figured I’d go ahead and take a shot of the two Best of Show Winners:

3D Best of Show Winner: jewelry artist Kathleen Dennison

2D Best of Show Winner: mixed media artist Carol Napoli

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Originally Published as Mayfaire Best of Show Winners