Florida’s Highwaymen @ The Orange County History Center

Captivating visitors through bold strokes of dramatic color depicting Florida’s natural beauty; this retrospective exhibition will display over 60 paintings from the original nine Florida Highwaymen. FLORIDA’S HIGHWAYMEN: Legendary Landscapes highlights an important part of Florida’s twentieth century cultural history and explores the stories of a group of young, untrained African-American landscape painters that emerged from the small Florida town of Fort Pierce in the late 50s and 60s. The paintings in the exhibition represent a fascinating story that reflects on the triumphs of a group of artists from the segregated South who overcame the great odds that prevented Florida’s Highwaymen from working with traditional art galleries and forced them to travel throughout the state selling their paintings out of the trunks of their cars. Telling the story of ingenuity and entrepreneurship, FLORIDA’S HIGHWAYMEN exhibit unfolds the secrets of perseverance in the face of societal limitations.

The Highwaymen introduces a group of young black artists who painted their way out of the despair awaiting them in citrus groves and packing houses of 1950s Florida. As their story recaptures the imagination of Floridians and their paintings fetch ever-escalating prices, the legacy of their freshly conceived landscapes exerts a new and powerful influence on the popular conception of the Sunshine State.

The exhibit runs from January 19th thru April 5th. For an information flyer worth $2.00 off the admission price come by Barnes & Noble on East Colonial and ask for one at the information desk. Also don’t forget to check out the Florida’s Highwaymen book currently available at a bookstore near you to learn more about this piece of Florida history.

Popular Motorcycle Art Exhibit Coming to Orlando Museum of Art

A exhibition of 70 motorcycles spanning 120 years makes the connection between transportion, art, design and popular culture.

What’s the subject of Florida’s hottest art exhibition? Manets? Monets? Mummies?

Try motorcycles. A fleet of more than 70 streamlined, sensuous, and seductive motorcycles rolling into the Orlando Museum of Art Jan. 22 through July 23 in an exhibit that explores the motorcycle as both cultural icon and design achievement.

If the exhibition sounds familiar, think back to 1998 when Art of the Motorcycle was one of most popular presentations ever displayed at New York’s Guggenheim Museum. The exhibit later set attendance records in Las Vegas and Memphis.

Now, in its exclusive Florida showing, the most expertly designed motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds will challenge conventional assumptions about art and popular culture.

And it’ll look darned cool while doing it.

More…

The popularity of motorcycles and motorcycle culture continues to increase. This will be worth a go if you are into bikes at all, even you Vespa owners should get out there and check it out. I’m sure there is something for you too.

And for those of you that are asking, “Is this art?” I’ve got one thing to say, R. Mutt.

Now I have heard of people getting married at the Magic Kingdom, but at the Titanic attraction on International Drive?? Yep.

“At Titanic-The Experience, the focus is on the grand and glamorous, as well as the poignancy of the fabled story. The full-scale replica of the ship’s Grand Staircase provides an elaborate centerpiece to the event. Guests also enjoy a guided tour of the exhibition, featuring live storytellers in costumes from the period. Cake and champagne in the private Titanic Banquet Room is an option as well.”
*taken from See Orlando-Kissimmee travel guide

(shivers) Now, thats just creepy!

I was unable to attend the opening reception last week, but was able to visit the BFA Exhibition I at the UCF Art Gallery this past Monday. During my three hour visit, several students presented their work, setting forth their artist statement, discussing their approach and technique, as well as what their future plans are in regards to where they see themselves and their work headed.

From drawings rich in line and technique, abstract paintings and photography, to surreal sculptures and life-sized nudes, the graduating BFA students are brimming with talent and vision. I am very glad to have been able to participate and exchange with these fellow artists on what motivates and inspires them, and I

Taking place on April 21, 2005, OVAL, Orlando Visual Artist’s League will hold an Opening Reception “CRAAB” (Cancer Relief Awareness and Art Benefit), from 5 to 10 pm.

What is quite unique about this art exhibition, if I understand correctly, is that there will be 26 canvases, each one focusing on a letter of the alphabet, on which you can make your artistic statement, sharing your thoughts, memories in regards to this terrible desease. This will be a month-long event which will continue until mid-May.

There will be light refreshments, a donation Bar, and entertainment, and last but not least, ART! All for a very good cause.

Opening Reception: Tuesday, April 5, 2005, from 5:00 - 8:00pm
Place: University of Central Florida

This show will be highlighting the work of students graduating with their Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. It will be the first of two exhibitions; the second one, with its respective opening reception, opening on April 26th.

I received my invite this weekend from one of the artists showcasing his work, Josh McNolty. The show is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!