Heartland Cultural Alliance, in association with Brewster's Coffee House, 2191 US Highway 27 N.,is giving writers the opportunity to present their work to the public, starting January 9, 2011. Bruce Rogers, owner/operator of Brewster's, said that there has been a small contingent of poets that meet informally and irregularly at his shop, so with the backing of HCA we hope to create a regular venue for poets and writers of all genres. Plans are to meet on the second and fourth Sundays, 6:30 pm to closing.

Besides the interest of Bruce's poetic contacts, members of the local group Scribblers and  Scribes will be reading from both published and in-progress works. HCA member Sunny Serafino (also a member of Scribblers and  Scribes and the Florida Writers Association) plans to be involved, and will be reading on January 9.

Bruce Rogers is an HCA member and has always graciously offered his establishment as a showcase for local artists, photographers, and writers.
Please contact Sherry Carlson if you would like to schedule a reading of your work: sherryc@vistanet.net 

Sebring Gallery Night

The Downtown Gallery Night is Friday Night January 14th 5:00 to 8:00 pm.  Any artists that would like to set up for the event contact Gene Brenner at 863-446-3874.  I would like to hear from you as soon as possible so I can include you and the type of work you will be exhibiting in our Press Releases and start assigning spaces etc.

Purple Jesus by Ron Cooper

The SFCC Humanities Department presents novelist Ron Cooper on January 28^th at 7 p.m., free and open to the public. Of Cooper's just-published second novel, Purple Jesus, Ron Rash said it "deserves a place on the bookshelf between O'Connor's Wise Blood and Crews' The Gospel Singer." The Kirkus Review called Purple Jesus a "tender tale of love and confusion" and "a pleasure to read." Cooper's first novel, Hume's Fork, was a finalist for the Bread Loaf Literary Prize for Fiction. Philosopher/novelist Rebecca Goldstein called it "as delicious as it is original." For more information, call Charlotte Pressler at 784-7247. To follow on Facebook, follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Purple-Jesus-by-Ron-Cooper/107519055945724

Photo by Fred Leavitt

The HCA is in the process of opening a new venue for member artists and musicians at the Kenilworth Lodge.  If you are a member artist please submit a portfolio of six images to info@heartlandculturalalliance.org so we can put you in the lineup of monthly exhibits at the Airport Gallery and other venues we will be opening.  There is no charge for exhibiting your work but a donation of 15% will be deducted from the price of work sold.  Musicians contact us through info@heartlandculturalalliance.org and tell us about your music.  We are here to help get you venue and bookings.  If you are not yet a member become one!

Art Buyer at Opening

On Friday, December 17^th, the Heartland Cultural Alliance opened photographer Bill Dailey's exhibit at the HCA Gallery of Fine Art.  Lucky buyers got a jump on Holiday gift giving by purchasing Bill's unique and beautiful "on canvas" prints.  Accentuating the Christmas spirit, Bill generously donated forty percent of his sales to benefit the Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County.   The display is still available for viewing and sales at Sebring Regional Airport.  Bill's work can also be seen on his website www.displaycreation.com. Bill's decision to donate to charity comes from his deep reverence for the wildlife and nature he photographs.  He remains continually in awe of these gifts from God and feels it only right to "give back."    Bill, as a Sebring native, chose The Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County as the proceeds recipient because of its outstanding reputation.  He has long known the "heart of the foundation," CEO Kevin Roberts, as a trusted church friend of his father.  Mr. Dailey named the exhibit "Fall in Love With Kids" to honor the children's advocacy work done by the foundation.

Dailey, Roberts and Fitchs at Opening

Kevin Roberts, his wife Debbie, and Board of Directors Chairperson, Nancy Hensley (Mayor George Hensley's wife) were present at the gallery opening to represent the foundation, to thank Bill, and to admire his work.  After 38 years working in

Kevin and Debbie Roberts

health and human services, Mr. Roberts   (County Director of HHS for 16 yrs.) describes the foundation's accomplishments as a combined effort of extremely giving, dedicated and efficient personnel, benefactors and organizations.  He is a "hands on" administrator and in his words "in full-time 'refirement' at the foundation."   Mrs. Hensley said CCF uses a holistic approach and confirmed cooperation as the key to providing expert emergency and other services. She specifically mentioned the CCF'S ART AND MUSIC THERAPY

Mrs. Nancy Hensley and HCA writer, Sherry Carlson

PROGRAM as a great benefit to its participants.  Please see the website www.ccfhighlands.org (Bill did web designing for the foundation) for a full understanding of the widespread impact this organization has on our community.

The Heartland Cultural Alliance Gallery Openings are informal, announced in HCA TODAY and a joy to attend.  At this opening, the quality of Bill Dailey's work impressed approximately 50 attendees-from artists to an interested general public.   There was time enough to view and purchase the art, talk to Bill and his wife Allison, and enjoy the wine and refreshments to the mellow guitar music of Kenny Summers.  Bill, an HCA member, personified the organization's goals, this time allying art with both business and charity.  Humm-how else can these combinations present themselves?

Dr. Theresa James, SFCC Department Chair, Humanities Professor, English

Heidi Conner, Fake it till I Make it, Portrait Photography
Phone: 863-382-0577

SFCC Humanities Department

http://www.southflorida.edu/academic/artssci/humanities/

Krista Flores, Children's Academy of the Arts
www.catarts.org

Mountain Top Productions, "Digital Historians"
http://www.mymtp.tv/index.html