|
Dear Friend of HCA,
The Heartland Cultural Alliance is moving toward its goal of having Highlands County promoted as an arts & culture destination. As part of this process it is our job to bring attention to the untapped reservoir of talent that exists here, educate the public to the importance of nurturing this talent to grow our economy, advance the academic achievement of our children and improve our quality of life.
The first weekend in December, HCA, in partnership with WHFT Radio, produced the county's first Music Fest and art show at Lakeshore Mall. This three day event highlighted the talent of local musical groups and artists. It was a win-win event for artists, musicians, local businesses and the HCA who made enough money to continue our public education campaign (See article below).
Another occurrence of significance is brought out in the Sebring Circle of Hope for Art Business and Car Fans article in this issue. It is a story of business people with vision who have reached out to the art community (through HCA) to benefit local business and artists. It is a story that proves our point.
HCA is sponsoring an Art Opening this Friday (Dec.17) at the HCA gallery in the Sebring Airport featuring the photography of Bill Dailey. This benefit exhibit is titled "in Love With Kids, and 40% of the proceeds from the show will be donated to the Champion For Children Foundation of Highlands County. Mr. Dailey recently won Best of Show in the HCA Spill Your Heart all medium art show. In this exhibit Bill will be introducing new work as well as showing his acclaimed classic nature photography. (Read more about Bill in the article below.) Please come to the opening and support this worthy cause.
I would like thank the volunteer staff of HCA Today who stepped up to the plate to make this publication a rallying point for the creative community, Linda Kegley our designer, as well as Sherry Carlson and Chris Williams our staff writers. This is your publication. Bring forth your announcements, events, ideas and comments. Let's share, network, unite and prosper.
 | HCA President,
Fred Leavitt |
In earnest,
Fred Leavitt, President
Heartland Cultural Alliance
www.heartlandculturalalliance.org
|
|
|
Music and Arts Fest | |
The first HCA Music and Arts Fest was a big success, according to HCA president Fred Leavitt. Close to 1500 people attended the three day event which featured 134 pieces of art by local artists and performances by 18 musical groups. Tim Saenz from 1390 WFHT Radio covered all three days as MC.
The opening, Thursday evening, was coordinated by Gail Leavitt and offered wine and appetizers to pre-Fest browsers. Kenny Summers performed classical guitar instrumentals. Pastor George Miller of Emmanuel UCC gave an invocation and blessing. An anonymous artist (guess) offered a silent auction on a matching pair of zebra prints.
 | | Many regional artists exhibited |
 | | Enjoying a performance |
On Friday, the Gladhatters of the Highlands Little Theater provided comic, vaudeville entertainment, preceded by performances by Steve Jones, guitarist and soundman for the event, the Sweet Adelines and Kenny Summers. I was personally impressed by violin soloist Diane Osborne and the brass ensemble Celebration Brass. Ms. Osborne later conducted the Young Artists String Orchestra. Saturday opened with the Golden Era Big Band. Heavy metal band Primal Passion was unable to perform due to the absence of one of its members. I was in attendance to see the blues rock band Legacy. The threesome nearly blew the roof off with original and cover tunes. Back Porch Revival was unable to perform due to illness, but Steve Jones stepped up to fill in. A highlight of the day was gospel singer Andrea Maphis, who got the audience involved with her soulful renditions of Christmas classics. I was not able to attend on Sunday, but slated performers included Gary Fillip, Barry Butler, 60s folk group M Squared, Bavarian Wunderkinds, contemporary Christian group Reaching Higher, and a grand finale by the Heartland Pops Orchestra. Artwork on display included a sculpture by Joseph Anthony, photography by Bill Dailey, and paintings from the various art leagues in the county. This was the first combined showing by Highlands Art League, Lake Placid Art League, Caladium Arts & Crafts, Tanglewood Fine Art League, and The Artists Group from SFCC. Sales of art brought in over $1200. Artists sold work; musicians sold CDs and got future bookings. HCA's goal to showcase the exemplary talent in Highlands County, for the enrichment of the public and local businesses, was heartily achieved. HCA would like to thank Jenny Cheek, General Manager of Lakeshore Mall, for providing the space, stage, tables, chairs and utilities; Harry Havery and Bible Fellowship Church for providing the PA system; Sue Lewis for scheduling; SFCC for donating tickets to upcoming events at the Center for Performing Arts, which were raffled off for HCA fundraising; Joseph Anthony for setting up the art exhibits; Gail Leavitt, Amanda Farmer, and other HCA board members for coordinating and manning the HCA table. Special thanks to the sponsors: WFHT 1390 Radio, Alan Jay Automotive Network, Griffin's Carpet Mart, Highlands Community Church, The News-Sun, and Uptown Music. "I personally want to credit Fred Leavitt for his passionate involvement in promoting the goals of the Heartland Cultural Alliance." By Chris Williams |
|
Fall in Love With Kids
an exhibit of the photographic art of Bill Dailey.
by Chris Williams
|
 | | Photographer Bill Dailey |
On December 17th an exhibit of Bill's work will be opening at the Sebring Airport's HCA gallery, December 17, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. He is "excited" about this gallery opening in his hometown. 40% of the proceeds from the show will be donated to Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County.
Bill Dailey is a Sebring native who went west, to college, and came home with a photographer's eye for landscapes and wildlife. At 31, Bill is the creative force behind Display Creations (online at www.displaycreation.com) where you can view and purchase his spectacular work on canvas or standard prints.
Bill has had a passion for photography for about 10 years; however, it has been within the last 5 years that he has devoted full attention to his art. Starting with one of the first digital cameras on the market, a Sony Mavica, and graduating to his favorite Nikon, he has honed his skills in the digital era of photography. When asked about the artistic debate between film and digital photography, Bill supports neither position. He considers himself a "purist" in the sense that the only digital alterations he utilizes are adjustments for brightness/contrast and cropping, both of which are used when printing from negatives as well.
Bill prefers photographing nature and landscapes rather than portraiture because he sees "uniformity" and "something greater" in these works of the Creator. During a trip to Nevada, several years ago, Bill and his wife Allison had the opportunity to view an exhibit by Thomas Mangelsen, a wildlife photographer whom Bill credits with capturing "the spirit of the animals" he photographs. Mangelsen's bio on his official website (www.mangelson.com) describes him as "a Nebraska native... recognized as one of the world's premier nature photographers."
Bill was inspired by Mangelsen's work as well as the works of famous landscape photographer Ansel Adams. As did Adams, Bill prefers to work with black and white images. His use of the entire spectrum of black, white, and gray is stunning, as in his photos of cypress swamps and hammock forests. He uses Adams' concept of "pre-visualization" a term used to describe the importance of imagining, in the mind's eye, one's artistic vision - what the photographer wants the final print to reveal about a subject (Ilachinski, 2006).
Bill has introduced to the area a fairly new process of printing photography on canvas. Using a 44-inch Epson inkjet printer he creates standard prints from 8 x 10 inches to 40 x 60 inches, and panoramas from 8 x 24 inches to 30 x 84 inches. The Epson uses 11 ink cartridges to create spectacular scenes such as his panorama of Lake Jackson.
Bill became a member of the HCA a few months ago after meeting Fred Leavitt, HCA president, who was showing some of his own work at Brewster's Coffee House. Bill is also helping to start a photography club for both professionals and amateurs beginning on December 12th. For more information contact Bill at: Email bill@displaycreation.com or by phone (863) 381-2420. Bill Daley's work can be seen at www.displaycreation.com |
"Sebring Circle of Hope for Art, Business
and Car Fans
By Sherry Carlson & Chris Williams | |
The 2nd Saturday Cruise Car Shows of November and December included "no cost" opportunities for artists to showcase their work. Authors, jewelers, wood sculptors, glass painters, caricaturists, holiday décor designers, and photographers have participated thus far as vendors. City Councilman John Griffin and businessmen Bud Whitlock and Gene Brenner spearheaded the car/art combination along with the Heartland Cultural Alliance. Responses from the car owners, downtown businesses, artists, and shoppers have been very positive. The new daytime hours (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.) will continue until further notice (www.sebringcruise.com) as well as the opportunities for artists.
Mr. Whitlock (Whitlock Land Surveying Inc.) has been an organizer for the Cruise Car Show at the Circle for several years. He and Councilman Griffin
 | John Griffin & Bud Whitlock
photo by Chris Williams |
(Griffins Carpet Mart) gained notoriety far beyond Highlands County when they organized the Sebring Thunder Car Show, a three day event in September, held at Sebring Circle, the Kenilworth Lodge and Sebring International Raceway. They are used to working cooperatively with other car clubs and shows and providing win-wins for businesses, entertainers, the community and government. Now the arts get the benefits of their talents and support.
As Chairman of The Community Redevelopment Agency, Gene Brenner has been involved with all downtown activities. As a business owner/artist and member of HCA, he has played a vital role in promoting local and national talent in Highlands County. Artists and  street vendors interested in space at the 2nd Saturday Cruise Car Show need to contact him by phone 863-446-3874 or at Brenner Pottery & Craft Gallery on the Circle to obtain a space assignment. The space is free. There are no entrance fees or commissions. Artists require no vendor licenses. Mr. Brenner also assigns space for the previous evening's Gallery Walk, so artists should request space early for one or both events. Unassigned space on the Sebring Circle without tents is available on a first come first served bases.
Consider membership in an HCA organization or as an individual if you wish to learn about more opportunities to find, develop, or promote your creative talents! |
| HCA Today Sponsors. Bill Dailey |
|
|
Save 10% |
FRAMES and IMAGES
10% off of any $25.00 purchase. Custom Picture Framing, Trophies, Awards and Gifts. | | Coupon Code: HCA, Expires June 30, 2011 |
|
Doug Walz |  |
|
FREE
SET UP
| Mention the ad above or
bring in this coupon and get free set up for fine art printmaking locally at
www.walzid.com
863-381-1198. |
|
|
Support HCA Today and grow your business: |
|
|
Give a Membership for the Holidays |
HCA membership makes a great Holiday Gift for your Friends and family who are interested in the Arts. Please go to our web site, www.heartlandculturalalliance.org, join and get involved! We will send you a certificate to present to the recipient of your gift membership. HCA is busy creating opportunities for the art and culture community in Highlands County. We are poised to make a big difference and need your help. Some receiving this newsletter have been former members of HCA but have not kept up with their dues. Others have expressed an interest in joining but have not signed up yet.We need you. Numbers count (read votes in the eyes of local government). Together we can make our county a better place to live in and visit.
Happy Holidays from the Board and Staff!
Heartland Cultural Alliance
|
|
New Members | |
Tanglewood Fine Art League
Caladium Arts & Crafts
Linda Kegley, Artist, Designer
 | | Tuba and Art images |
Christine L. Yarbour, Artist
Pamela Martin-Makuk, SFCC, Artist Author
Sandy Spice, Artist
Linn Shimik, Artist
James Wiemer, Teacher
Robert "Bob" Fishel
Joan DeBoer, Photographer
Frank Hardy, Artist, Vocalist
Loretta DeWitt, Artist
Bill & Brenda Knoche, Photographer
Unity Life Enrichment Center, Church
Back Porch Revival, Folk music
Ingrid Strope, Artist
Pete Zeegers, APYA
Email: info@heartlandculturalalliance.org
|
|
On Your Birthday |  Buy a Florida State of the Arts license plate. Enrich yourself and your community. $20 from the cost of the plate is donated by the state to HCA. Show you care and wear your new plates proudly. |
|
|
|
|
|
HCA December
2010
HCA Events
This Friday
December 17-
Bill Dailey Exhibit Opening
-
HCA Gallery of Fine Art Sebring Regional Airport
4:00pm to 6:00 pm
Friday, December 17
Sangria & Snacks
Classical guitar music by Kenny Summers.
Free & Open to the Public.
Come meet the artist and support the HCA!
|  | |
Highlands Art League www.highlandsartleague.org
or call (863) 385-5312.
Primal Connection Community Drum Circle
Sunday, December 19, from 3 to 5 pm, Behind the Sebring Civic Center overlooking Lake jackson.(863) 402-8238 for more information or visit www.primalconnection.org.
LK Artworks
or call 863-385-2398
HCA members this is your space for announcing events. It is a free membership perk.
HCA is your voice to the creative community.
|
|
|
