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Polk Museum of Art

Polk Museum ofArt


Last Updated: 11/2/2009

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Gender: Female
Status: Single
Age: 43
Sign: Gemini

City: LAKELAND
State: Florida
Country: US
Signup Date: 5/30/2006

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009 

Category: Art and Photography
If you've ever had an interest in glassmaking, Polk Museum of Art will offer a presentation on Saturday, October 24, that you won't want to miss. The Museum is going "Behind the Art" of its current exhibition, Beautiful Things, which includes two pieces by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, by inviting Lake Wales glass artist Cal Peak to talk about the processes behind glass art.

Peak started working with glass 4 years ago, and is currently working with and assistant to Peter Spenc, at Orlando Art Glass. Peak has been trained in many glass art studios including: the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, where he learned the art of glass blowing, and attended a furnace building class. Most recently, Peak has attended the Pilchuck Glass School where he worked with and was taught by Dave Walters.

Behind the Art starts at 1:00pm and is is free with regular Museum admission. Registration is not required. Please call 863-688-5423 for more information.
6:18 PM 
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Monday, July 13, 2009 

Current mood:  artistic
I hope you’ve been over to PMoA to see the new exhibitions. One of them, Silver Linings: Delicate Drawings by Carol Prusa is really captivating. (I even asked the Curator how much one of the smaller ones cost. Let’s just say it’s not in my budget.) And, lucky for you, the artist will be here for the reception on July 24 at 5:30pm.

The lecture starts at 6:00pm and the cost to attend the lecture and reception is $10. If you’re a Museum member, it’s free. There will be very light refreshments served at 7pm, and you’ll have a chance to meet Carol during that time.

I hope you can make it!
8:08 PM 
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Thursday, June 11, 2009 

Current mood:  stoked
Category: Art and Photography
I just realized that I've been remiss in updating this blog -- although I'm managing to post on about 4 others! So here's some info you may have missed:

Polk Museum of Art just got an Art-O-Mat, an old cigarette vending machine that has been refurbished to dispense cigarette pack sized pieces of original art. We're super excited about this thing. It's very retro and kitschy.

The artwork is $5 (+tax) per piece, and we've got about 20 artist represented in our machine. Our machine is the only one in Central Florida, and only one of three in the state. The other two are in Miami.

On June 27, Clark Whittington, the artist who founded Art-O-Mat, will be here to talk about the machines. He'll also be giving a special presentation about how artists can have their artwork sold in the nearly 100 Art-O-Mats around the world. The talk is free and starts at 10:300am.

Pop by and check it out! (And buy some original art!)
6:14 PM 
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009 

Current mood:  artistic
Category: Art and Photography


We're opening three new exhibitions in June, and the first one is going to be drawn from our Permanent Collection. It's called Shelter and the idea is to show how artists represent the concept of shelter -- either as a physical place or an emotional state.

Shelter runs June 6 - August 23. Don't forget that the Museum reduces it's hours during the summer: Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm; closed Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays.
2:02 PM 
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Friday, May 15, 2009 

Current mood:  artistic
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.

9:13 PM 
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Friday, May 08, 2009 
Polk Museum of Art is now accepting enrollment for its annual SummerArt Camp. Children ages 5 - 13 can enroll for up to 3 classes per day. Classes are offered for two weeks at a time. Classes include drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles, performance play, photography, and more.

For the first time, SummerArt Camp will have a theme, and this year the theme is "Around the World in 50 Days." Each two week session will focus on a different continent, and all of the classes will create artwork influenced by the continent that is the focus of that session. Sessions are as follows:

Session 1 - Australia: June 8 - June 19
Session 2 - Africa: June 22 - July 3
Session 3 - South America: July 6 - July 17
Session 4 - Asia: July 20 - July 31
Session 5 - Europe: August 3 - August 14

For sessions 1 - 4, students may enroll in one to three classes per day. The cost per child, per class is $100 for Museum members and $115 for non-members. Discounts are given if a child takes more than one class. Session 5 is only available for full day (three classes) enrollment and will cost $285 for Museum members and $330 for non-members.

All classes are taught by certified art teachers and/or art professionals. All teachers and Museum staff have been background checked in accordance with the Jessica Lunsford Act.

Volunteers are also needed to assist with SummerArt Camp. Area high school students are encouraged to volunteer, and service hours will be given, if needed.

For more information about SummerArt Camp or volunteering, or to enroll your child in SummerArt Camp, please call the Museum's Education Department at 863-688-5423 or visit www.PolkMuseumofArt.org/classes.
2:12 PM 
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Friday, April 10, 2009 

Current mood:  cultured
Category: Art and Photography

Polk Museum of Art has purchased two pieces by internationally known master glass artist Dale Chihuly and one piece by prominent glass artist Ginny Ruffner. All three pieces are currently on display in the Museum’s lobby.


Sunset Red Macchia with Sky Blue Lip Wrap by Dale Chihuly. Photo courtesy of Millenia Fine Art, Orlando.
Sunset Red Macchia with Sky Blue Lip Wrap by Dale Chihuly. Photo courtesy of Millenia Fine Art, Orlando.


The story behind the purchases is pretty fun. In January, the Art Resource Trust — a group of Museum members whose sole purpose is to purchase great artwork for the Permanent Collection – met at their annual dinner to purchase a new piece. This year, the group had decided to buy glass. Five pieces were presented, and a vote was taken. But the vote was so close that a second run-off vote was held. In the end, Dale Chihuly’s Sunset Red Macchia with Sky Blue Lip Wrap was selected for purchase with the Art Resource Trust funds.

That wasn’t the end of the story, though. The run-off vote was so close, and the supporters of the second place piece were so passionate about the piece, they chipped in as individuals to purchase another piece by Chihuly: Olive and Blue Green Persian Set.

Wait! There’s more! After the meeting wrapped up, artist Ginny Ruffner presented an offer that could not be refused for her piece, The House of Glorious Mornings. Through private donations and the Museum’s Acquisition Funds, this piece was also purchased for the Permanent Collection.

So, yay! Three fantastic glass pieces that are well worth seeing. Stop by and check them out. They’re especially pretty when the sunlight
is coming through the windows behind them.



7:40 PM 
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Thursday, April 02, 2009 

Current mood:  intense
Category: Art and Photography

Take Action NOW to Ensure That Your Arts Organizations Continue to Receive Funding from the State of Florida

Look at the list of arts organizations below. If you are a resident of Florida, you may be affiliated with some of them as a sponsor, donor, volunteer, or general patron. If the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Chaired by Senator JD Alexander, has its way, these organizations will receive $0 funding in the upcoming fiscal year.

Without this funding, some of our fantastic arts organizations will greatly reduce services, eliminate services and jobs and/or, for the smaller ones, close doors all together. IS THIS WHAT WE WANT? I already know the answer.

Below you will see a list of local arts and cultural organizations that received funding from the State of Florida. The first number is the amount requested and the second number is the amount actually received.

1. Florida Dance Theatre: $22,350 / $2,808
2. Lake Wales Arts Council: $50,000 / $6,303
3. Imperial Symphony Orchestra: $57,778 / $7,966
4. Theatre Winter Haven: $76,095 / $10,745 
5. Lakeland Community Theatre: $34,835 / $4,524
6. Lake Region High School State Touring Presenters Stephen Robinson: $500 / $500
7. Carlton Palmore Elementary School State Touring Presenters Caribbean Sound Steel Pan & World Music Ensemble: $1,000 / $1,000
8. Bok Tower Gardens: $350,000 / $34,576
9. Polk Museum of Art: $164,566 / $20,564
10. Esteem Music: $9,932 / $4
11. Explorations V Children's Museum: $100,000 / $44,185
12. Sun 'n Fun Fly-In: $75,000 / $303

I ask you to contact your representative and ask them to sustain current level funding for FY 2009-2010 at $7.2 million (cultural, humanities, and historical grants funding line items) with no additional cuts.

Keep in mind that in the past 3 years, cultural funding from the State of Florida has been slashed by 82% -- and that's been during good times! Our State Officials need to know that their lack of support for Florida's cultural heritage is appalling and unacceptible to the citizens of Florida.

Here are some more facts: For every dollar the state invests in the arts, $7 are returned in revenue. Arts and cultural institutions directly employ over 168,000 people, and services they purchase support the jobs of MANY more. 74.9% of tourists participate in cultural activities, and tourism is Florida's #1 industry!

If you would like more economic talking points, visit this site: http://www.flca.net/images/Working_Advocacy_Economic_2009_Talking_Points.pdf

If you are a resident of Florida, please take a moment to contact the following State Senators:
alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
deutch.ted.web@flsenate.gov
altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov
baker.carey.web@flsenate.gov
crist.victor.web@flsenate.gov
fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov
gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov
garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.gov
gelber.dan.web@flsenate.gov
haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov
hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov
justice.charlie.web@flsenate.gov
lawson.alfred.web@flsenate.gov
lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov
peaden.durell.web@flsenate.gov
pruitt.ken.web@flsenate.gov
rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov
siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov
villalobos.alex.web@flsenate.gov
wilson.frederica.web@flsenate.gov
wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

Here is some text that you can cut and paste into your email. You may customize it if you wish:

Dear Senator _____,

I support the state funding of arts and cultural organizations in Florida, and I urge you to maintain current level funding for FY 2009-2010 at $7.2 million (cultural, humanities, and historical grants funding line items) with no additional cuts. Here are a few reasons why this funding is important:

For every dollar the state invests in the arts, $7 are returned in revenue

Arts and cultural institutions directly employ over 168,000 people in the state

74.9% of tourists participate in cultural activities

Children who participate in arts programs often achieve higher academic success in school



In the past 3 years, cultural funding from the State of Florida has been slashed by 82%. This lack of support for Florida's cultural heritage is appalling and unacceptable. I urge you to support Florida's arts and cultural institutions.

Sincerely,
(insert your name and city of residence here)

Thank you for taking the time to make your opinion known, and THANK YOU for your support of Polk Museum of Art. 

2:36 PM 
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Thursday, March 05, 2009 

Category: Art and Photography
Our March View & Review will take place on the 20th starting at 6:00pm. Joe Mitchell will be the guest critic since the February View & Review was cancelled. After this month, we're going to start doing them every other month.
As usual, it's $15 if you're an artist who wants your work reviewed, and $5 if you just want to hang out. Artists must pre-register by calling 863-688-5423. We'll see you there!
9:14 PM 
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 

Current mood:  artistic
If you haven’t made it to one of Polk Museum of Art’s View  & Reviews, you’re missing out on  some interesting and lively discussion. You’re also missing out on seeing some really beautiful artwork by some talented local artists.

The idea behind View & Review was to give artists an opportunity to have their work “critiqued” by an arts professional. This is a commom practice when you’re taking college art classes, but it isn’t so common once you’re out of that atmosphere. And artists like feedback. They (We? Should I claim myself since I haven’t created anything in 3 years?) want to know what’s good and what needs improvement in their work. They also like hearing what people “see” when they look at their pieces, because I can tell you from experience, people sometimes see stuff the artist never intended or remotely thought about.

But it’s not just for artists. Art lovers can come, too. We’ve had several people come to the last few just to see what the artists are presenting and hear what is being said.

Anyway, point of this post: Joe Mitchell, retired Art Supervisor for Polk County Schools, long-time friend of PMoA, former part-time Harrison teacher, and current adjunct art professor at FSC, will be the next guest critic. Joe is a really nice guy and an accomplished artist. And, as a plus, since he’s also an experienced art teacher, he’s an experienced art critic!

The next View & Review is Friday, February 20, 6:00 - 8:30pm at PMoA. Artists who want their work reviewed have to register ahead of time by calling 863-688-5423 or visiting the Museum’s website. It’s $15 to have your work reviewed or $5 just to watch. Everyone is invited.

6:51 PM 
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