Krista Flores and her painting "Faces of Eve"

Lyrics from "Beyond My Wildest Dreams," in the musical
"The Little Mermaid"

Krista Flores, Executive Director of the Children's Academy of the Arts & Theatre (CAAT), is living her wildest dreams.  CAAT, after 3 years of association with,  is now merged with the Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County, Inc. and will have a permanent location at the historical Circle Theater, 202 Circle Street by 2012, Sebring's Centennial year.   Krista is researching 1920's theater designs and matching them with the needs of CAAT, now in its 13^th year of operation.  She and husband Dr. Robert Flores, Director of Facilities at SFCC, are both a part of the "Renovation Dream Team" of Mr. Kevin Roberts, the Foundation's CEO.

Another project requiring Krista's expertise is As a non-profit organization funded by community donations, fund raising events and class fees, CAAT has enriched the lives of up to 175 students a year. A calendar and fee schedules for afterschool courses, weekend or day workshops, and summer camp are posted on www.ccfhighlands.org, the Foundation's web site. Beginner and advanced courses are taught by professionals and cover dance (ballroom, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical), acting and theatrical movement, creative writing, the visual arts, music/vocal, and set creation and costuming.   Former students of note include former Heartland Junior Idol Champions Jerrianne Carlton (2008), Sydni Hornick (2009) and Nala Price (2010), to name "just a few of the many."

 Krista's education in pre-law, education, theater and art and Palm Beach County employment as an artist in residence at the School of the Arts, an actor, theater director and drama teacher made her a welcome addition to Highlands County.  When she first arrived, Krista joined the arts community by playing Kate Keller in "The Miracle Worker" (Highlands Little Theatre, Director Peter H. Pollard).   Through CAAT memberships in HCA under former presidents Rose H. Bell, Goldie Garnish, Jo Brenner and now Fred Leavitt, Krista's dedication to the arts is well known to the extended community.  Dr. Robert Flores also has been active in the arts and in the past, served on the HCA Board of Directors.   

 In addition to running the Academy, Krista teaches art at Lakeview Christian School, helps manage rental properties, enjoys her creative pursuits and those of her daughters, Anna, Monica, and Hope.  Krista now has paintings at the HCA's Kenilworth Lodge May exhibit (see photo) and at Brewster's Coffee shop.

Krista's dreams continue and now, combined with the "contagious enthusiasm, wisdom and Midas touch of Kevin Roberts," there is no doubt in Krista's mind that Highlands County and its children and youth will creatively flourish.

"...Just look at me and you will see
Someone beyond her wildest dreams!..." 

The Highlands Art League (HAL) hosted its spring fundraiser, Art on the Waterfront, on Saturday, April 30 at the Artist's Village in Downtown Sebring. This Key West-themed event was complete with Keys cuisine prepared by Chef Mac of The Palms of Sebring, Tim Blackman of Blackman Properties, Pat and Chris Miller, and Jimmy Wohl of Highlands Real Estate Corp. Guests enjoyed Jimmy Buffet-inspired music by entertainer Frank E. along with mojitos and margaritas.

Many thanks to those who contributed to the live celebrity and bachelor/bachelorette auction: Mayor George Hensley, Greg Harris, Ben Mayworth, Justin Hartt, Trevor Hinote, Cindy Sebring Adams, Donna Keith, Marie Boley, Kelli Bronson, the Cohan Radio Group, Alan Jay Wildstein, Max Gooding, Janet King, Alice Hansen, Mark Gose, Chris Miller, Josh Miller, Gary Peeples, Mike Reark, and Casey Wohl. Don Elwell and Martile Blackman entertained the crowd as emcees and encouraged the bidding. Thank you to everyone who purchased auction items.

 Also, a BIG thank you to the event sponsors who helped HAL raise nearly $20,000: Florida Hospital, Taylor Rental, Highlands Today, and Baker Septic Installations, as well as the Sebring High School National Honor Society, who helped set up for the event.

The money raised will help Highlands Art League continue to support the arts and culture in Highlands County. For more information about HAL, visit  www.HighlandsArtLeague.org. 

 Dick and Allora Couture - Couture's Gallery and Frame

Gerald F. Pleau - author

Laura Higgins - Heartland Photography Group

 Judy Nicewicz - artist

Brewster's Coffee House announces the grand opening of their newly designed art gallery.  An art show and artist reception will take place Sunday, June 5, at 6:00 p.m.  Complementary hors d'oeuvres will be available and beverages for sale.  For your listening pleasure, live music will be playing throughout the reception.

Brewster's Coffee House is located at 2191 U.S. 27 North in Central Plaza (863-314-8890) and is a member of the Heartland Cultural Alliance. Owner, Bruce Rogers, a member of HCA, avidly promotes the arts in Highlands County.   The walls of his establishment have been home to many artists for several years.   However, he recently recreated the gallery atmosphere by installing a professional gallery hanging system along with modifying the lighting.

The present gallery showing has been on view since April and will continue through June.  New art work will be displayed continually after that for three month intervals.   Some genres on display are paintings, photography, giclee etc.

"We want our customers to know that the art in Brewster's is constantly changing, staying fresh and of the highest quality in the area," said Bruce.  Arts and culture are vital to help build and sustain strong economic diversity and vibrancy.  According to Florida Tax Watch Tourism Research Report, 74.9% of visitors to Florida participate in cultural activities and help to stimulate Florida's economy in positive and meaningful ways.  Art enterprises are highly entrepreneurial and attractive to tourists.  The arts also create a highly desirable quality of life that draws businesses and educated workers to further stimulate the economy.

Brewster's Coffee House is ready to welcome you and introduce you to the artists whose work is presently on display.  All art work is available for purchase.

Brewster's customers already know that Brewster's is one of the few places in Highlands County to enjoy some big city culture and great coffee.  As customers continue to come back week after week, they will be able to check out what local artists are doing.

A warm family environment awaits those who come in for a cup of coffee and, in return, will be rewarded with eye-appealing art that is suitable for one's home, office, etc.

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.