Lake Wales Arts Council

Mankind’s Impact – Arabella Decker

2012-02-03T05:31:00.000-08:00

Arabella Decker met with some students from the Vanguard School prior to the Gallery Talk.

Arabella Decker demonstrated the use of a special technique utilizing sparkling light to represent mankind’s impact on climate change. Beautiful, challenging, and timely! Arabella has exhibited as a solo artist and as a collaborative exhibitor in many galleries around the U.S. She has made many presentations, juried many shows and is a member of, and affiliated with numerous art organizations. Her artwork is in many private collections around the country.

On display in the Michael Crews Gallery. Opening reception February 2, 5:00-7:00 pm.

Easter Sunrise Service

2012-02-03T05:22:00.000-08:00

LW Chorale Rehearsal for Easter Sunrise Service at Bok Tower Gardens

The Lake Wales Chorale is an adult vocal group of community residents. The Chorale will be singing at the 85th Easter Sunrise Service at Bok Tower Gardens on April 8, 2012 at 7:00 a.m. Singers, please gather inside of the Tower at 6 a.m.

Any singer with an interest to join the Chorale for this wonderful sunrise service, please contact the Arts Council at (863) 676-8426. There is no cost or tuition fee for this program. Rehearsals will take place in Updike Hall at the Lake Wales Arts Center on March 12, 20, 26 and April 3 from 7-8:30 p.m.

2012-01-31T10:44:00.000-08:00

Winners of the Lake Wales

Municipal Fine Art Show

By Jean Donaldson, Executive Administrator

January 31, 2012 Lake Wales, Fla – A watercolor painting by Laura Larsen received Best of Show honors at the reception and awards ceremony on January 26, 2012 as 49 works by more than 19 artists were judged by Stephen Koury. Mr. Koury’s works have been shown in numerous galleries, museums and one-man-show exhibits around the globe. The artistic visions of Mr. Koury engage the viewer to be swept away into his world, the world of nature.

Other winners of the Municipal Fine Art Show include:

Oil Painting: First Place - "High Horse” by Barbara Dyer; Second Place - "The Grill: LaPurisima 1983” by Jerry Brenning; Third Place - "Serenity in Arizona” by Vivian David; Honorable Mention, -"Black Moshannon” by Clem Newbold.

Acrylic Painting: First Place - "A Walk at Bok” by Beverly Peterson; Second Place - "Siskiyou Sunset” by John Dame, Jr., Third Place – “Everyone’s Fishing” by Gayle Reeder; Honorable Mention – “The Cardinal” by Cynthia Evans”; Honorable Mention – “Faded Peppers” by Judy Giles.

Mixed Media and Watercolor Painting: First Place - "Day Lily” by Margaret Wheaton; Second Place - "Rooster II” by Linda Johnson; Third Place – “Duckpond” by Steve Larsen.

Photography: First Place - "Egret Secret" by Chip Newton.

The Lake Wales High School chorus directed by Cathy Montero entertained guests as they sampled the yummy refreshments provided by several artists participating in the exhibit and Committee members. The Lake Wales Arts Council provided the much appreciated door prizes - a one-year membership to the Arts Council and two waivers of entry fees for the April 2012 Municipal Show. Several artists participating in the show provided samples of their art work also as door prizes. The art work will be on display at the Lake Wales Municipal Building through March 30, 2012.

The Lake Wales Arts Council, Inc. and City of Lake Wales began offering this quarterly juried art show in 2004. It provides an excellent venue for local artists to show their work and compete for ribbon prizes in several categories along with a Best of Show award. The show also provides the Municipal Building with a quality fine art display for the enjoyment of all of the visitors and staff. Many of the pieces on exhibit are for sale by the artists at very reasonable prices. The Show has continued to grow over the years with more than 100 artists participating in one or more shows.

For information on the April 2012 Municipal Art Show, call the Arts Council at (863) 676-8426.

Janie Howard Wilson Elementary Students Amazed by Pianist

2012-01-30T10:34:00.000-08:00

January 30, 2012

Janie Howard Wilson Elementary Students Amazed by Pianist

LAKE WALES – Janie Howard Wilson Elementary fifth grade students were mesmerized by concert pianist Thomas Pandolfi (pictured, center), who performed today (Jan. 30) at the Lake Wales Arts Center.

Students were treated to the free concert as part of the Lake Wales Arts Council’s education outreach program. Pandolfi played pieces by Chopin, Gershwin and Joplin. He also talked about his studies at the Julliard School of Music and his world travels.

“These experiences help shape our students into well-rounded, contributing young people in our community,” said Micky Caban, music teacher at Janie Howard Wilson.

PHOTO Release

Contact Frances McMichael

863-679-6560 x227

fmcmichael@LWCharterSchools.com

Transforming Florida

2011-12-16T06:42:00.000-08:00

Creativity: Michael Maguire

Tampa’s 20^th Century Downtown Skyline

Third Prize: Thomas Mack

Old N’ New Lifts

Third Prize: A-Fairchild, FL - Laird

Second Prize: Jordan Neumann

Shelaine

Best of Show: Kyle

Evidence

“The People’s Choice:” Jane Polkowski

Picking a Fresh Orange

Visual Artists' Focus Group Meeting ReCap

2011-12-16T06:09:00.000-08:00

"Seventy-four visual artists from Lake Wales and the surrounding area were invited to attend the visual artists’ focus group meeting that was held on December 8th. 18 attend with three who were unable to attend but want to be included on all follow-up communication. There was a good mix of artists of all ages and types of media. After getting refreshments, the group got down to business with ideas and suggestions. We went around the table allowing each attendee the opportunity to speak and each attendee did speak to their ideas. Twice the building came up but Barb and Jean quickly stated we were here for ideas not to speak to the building. The group had a lot to say and there were discussions on how to go about implementing some of the ideas which was wonderful to see the enthusiasm. We met for two and a half hours and could have stayed a few more hours! After looking through the list of ideas/suggestions, several areas kept coming up that the artists were looking for:

1. Communication – through e-newsletters and the website on a regular basis. They would like a list of workshops, events, etc. for the season as well as what is going on throughout the year.

2. Art Shows – more juried shows for local artists at different levels (professional and student). They felt this gives an artist incentive to continue to improve when they are competing against other artists at their level.

3. Art Clubs – start local art clubs such as camera/photography, plein aire, etc. that meet on a regular basis for support, lectures, etc.

4. Workshops – on a regular basis with well-known instructors.

5. Open Studio – open the art classroom specific days per week for specific period of time where artists can drop in to paint, quilt, knit (whatever their medium), etc. as a support group to give and receive advice, social aspect, etc. There will be a small fee to attend each session to cover the cost of utilities. Two of the artists have volunteered to head this up and implement as soon as possible.

6. Trips to art museums, plein aire painting excursions and art leagues.

7. Include other mediums such as fiber, glass, wood and pottery in exhibits, art clubs, etc.

8. Social Networking – improve website so it’s more informative and interactive; Facebook; one of the artists (who is also a board member) has offered to start a Blog. I mentioned that our web designer has been a volunteer who worked on our website in his spare time.

9. Volunteering – I took the opportunity to make it known that we are a limited staff and I will gladly accept any assistance to work on the suggestions." ~Jean Donaldson

We are open to suggestions. Please feel free to comment below.

Holiday Events

2011-12-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

"It started as a discussion at the June curatorial committee meeting – what event can replace the Lois Hill Jewelry Sale that would not be taking place this December. Arabella suggested bringing in potters to sell reasonably priced holiday ornaments and it grew from there! In September, a committee was formed to define, plan and coordinate the event. The idea grew and grew until the committee came down to reality as to what we could realistically do in the couple of months that we had to plan, coordinate and host the holiday events. There were a few bumps in the road getting there but if you haven’t heard yet, Ladies’ Magical Night and Make it Magical family day events were a success! More than 150 shoppers and browsers stopped in for Ladies’ Magical Night on December 1st, 2011.

Many were new faces to the Arts Center, at least in the two years I have been here. Our guests enjoyed lively entertainment from Hillcrest’s steel drum band and beautiful piano music by Brenda Raabe’s students, Victoria de Lissovoy’s jazz and Brent Walker’s holiday favorites.

Scrumptious appetizers donated by committee members, their families and friends and an amazing cake designed and by former Lake Wales resident and pastry chef Rachel Mayer and made especially for this occasion, were enjoyed by all.

Champagne and wine were served by a wonderful group of students from Webber University.

The array of art work and other items for sale from the participating artists were wonderful. Many guests left with shopping bags!

The Arts Council received approximately $700 commission from the artists on their sales, approximately $1,500 in ticket sales and $140 in raffle ticket receipts.

The generosity of local businesses in goods and/or discounts, appetizers donated by committee members and their families/friends and the generous monetary donation, all helped to keep expenses down. The event could not have been successful without the help of the many volunteers. We have several new volunteers to the Arts Council and they all felt this was a good way to meet new people and have fun at the same time!

Dozens of students participated in their school chorus. On Saturday at Make it Magical holiday event, it was standing room only for several of the school choruses. Choruses from Janie Howard Wilson Elementary, Babson Park Elementary, Polk Avenue Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Bok Academy and Lake Wales High School performed throughout the day with dancers from McLaughlin Middle School finishing up with Sugar Plum Fairy and Chinese dancers from their performance of Nutcracker." ~Jean Donaldson