By Sherry Carlson
 

SCRIBES NIGHT OUT: Original poetry, travel and historical articles, memoires, adventure stories, nature narratives, and humorous tall tales all have been read by local authors at Scribes Night Out. It's an evening of entertainment for all ages held at Brewster's Coffee House in Sebring at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Our writers, both published and unpublished, are often multi-talented: Arthur Wright brought in his hand crafted canes to show; Christine Yarbour her pen and ink illustrations. New readers last month included Em Williamson, Carolyn Henderson, Tom Butler, Rev. Robert J. Walker, and Nina Shuman. The November 13th gathering will feature author Mary Bailey (see website http://www.jesusmyson.com) a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Florida Writer's Assoc., and several other writers' groups in Kentucky and Florida.

PHILLIS JONES' RECEPTION/HCA's Airport Galleria: The rainy afternoon did not deter HCA members and an interested general public from attending the Oct. artist reception. Jones' paintings of nudes spanned a broad range of descriptions-graceful, alluring, playful, mysterious, realistic, beautiful. The art also varied in sizes from life-size to 8" x 12." Phyllis also took orders for 2012 calendars featuring prints of her work. The display at the airport will continue through November. The artist also displays her art at the Highlands Art League Gallery and has several paintings at Brewster's Coffee House.

HIGHLANDS LITTLE THEATER OPEN HOUSE: The dedication of those associated with HLT was evident to anyone attending the "Sundaes on Saturday" 9/24/11 open house. An informative tour of the expansive backstage area and description of the months of planning and practice required for "the Show to Go On" impressed theater goers, prospective actors and volunteers of all ages. Free entertainment gave attendees a taste of some of what is to come for the 2011-2012 season. The "special events" HLT produces (and advertises though the HCA network) are very affordable and expertly executed. Halloween events are coming right up!

KENNILWORTH ART OPENING: The September 14 "America the Beautiful" Art Opening show at Kenilworth Lodge had some new twists added. Ms. Kathy Rapp informed the audience of the work done by The Veterans Council of Highlands County, Inc. and sold raffle tickets for a painting by artists Alice Hansen, Pamela Paralikis, Shirley Stone and James Ward to be awarded Nov. 3rd , Local author, Sunny Serafino also held a book signing at the event. Artwork remained hung throughout Sept. and Oct. and had added lobby exposure via the moveable display panels during special events like Run to the Heartland, Days of Thunder and the Central Florida Bridal Gala.

Report #1 by Sherry Carlson

           Heartland Cultural Alliance photographers, artists, and writers have joined the efforts of the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Working Group to educate the public concerning the unique "Ancient Islands" of Florida or the Lake Wales Ridge. Preservation of The Ridge (over 100 miles long and 4-10 miles wide), its wildlife, insects, plants, and varied ecosystems are the concern of scientists locally, statewide, and nationally. The rare creatures, natural landscapes, and water aquifers need protection. The balances developed over hundreds of thousands years have been disrupted, and plants and animals, found only in this area, are now threatened by extinction.

            At the October 20th meeting, Ridge Ranger Coordinator Bill Parken, wildlife biologist Nicole Ranaldi, and Patty Lloyd of the Ridge Rangers presented the facts to HCA members for the first time. HCA project members listed their own areas of interest and expertise. For instance, Rick Knoche, a photographer, stated that he has a degree in horticulture and the desire to concentrate on flowers, plants or scrubs. Artist Christine Yarbour already has hundreds of photos and drawings about wildlife on The Ridge and has done extensive research at the Archbold Biological Station to authenticate the text of her proposed book. The core group of 16 HCA members will be joined by several others unable to attend this first meeting.

             It has been said, "a picture is worth a thousand words." HCA hopes to add an aesthetic touch to educating the public, by catch their eye, and captureing their curiosity, while commitmenting to supporting preservation efforts. We will be sharing our bonus-"insider" experiences and views on the Lake Wales Ridge!
             This art/documentary project will be launched in Sebring as an exhibit with educational text blocks. In partnership with  the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,  HCA plans to have the exhibit  tour libraries, galleries and public venues in Florida. 

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By: Amanda Farmer 

               On a rather wet weekend in September, my mother and I ventured to St. Petersburg to enjoy a free day at museums we had planned to visit for a while.  We had expected the traffic we encountered, and had expected to stand in lines for a little while, but we did not expect to run into an art show.

                Every year my mother and I participate in National Museum Day, a day where different museums open their doors to the public, for free. We love this day, and plan out an entire mother/daughter day that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and souvenirs from wherever we attend. My mother usually gets a membership as well, if she deems it worthwhile. This year we chose the St. Petersburg Museum of Art and the Pier Aquarium. We planned our day, saved our money and ventured out into the not so ideal weather. We expected the Traffic (it is St. Pete after all) and we expected the lines, but I don't expect to see an art show/sale, and I loved what I saw. There were artist, young and old selling their wares to those participating in Free Museum Day, and boy did I get excited. I found several young freshly graduated college art students, like myself, selling art that was so creative I wished I had a house of my own to decorate.

                When I asked them how this event was organized, they said that their arts group saw the opportunity that was Free Museum Day and jumped on the idea of a bunch of art interested people gathered in one location. Kind of sounds like a no brainer to me. You have people who are interested in art coming for a free event, and if they are anything like my mother and I, they already intend on buying things since they are saving on the admission to the museum. The other plus I liked was the use of business cards and advertisement. Each artist had business cards that showed how to buy their art online or at least how to contact them to purchase the art. They also had advertisements for the local events they were involved in and upcoming art shows, which I'm sure, if I lived in St. Pete, I would attend.  Each artist knew what was going on in the arts community and details about upcoming events, they were all working together to support the arts.

                While I can't be sure this wasn't some secluded event or that the arts community in St. Pete is really working together, I did seem like they were to me. There was an article in a previous edition of this newsletter that talked about another small town that was brought together by art and has become an arts destination, which I thought about that entire day. You can ask my mother, I kept saying "what if this" and "I wish this." I think it would be really awesome if something like this could happen in Highlands County. Maybe then I wouldn't have to deal with St. Pete traffic.   

 Although it has already happened, click here for more information.

            A recent article by Mat Gleason in the Huffington Post stated that artist should stop donating their artworks to charitable causes and that they should, for all intensive purposes, never donate art again. You can read his article here. He says that when an artist donates a work they depress the prices of art and damage their artistic career.

            Gleason says that when you donate art you are first off, undervaluing your art, and secondly, humiliating yourself. Your art will be sold for whatever someone wants to pay for it, and, in most cases, it will be significantly lower than what you would sell it for. This, the author says, will cause the public to think less of you and your art, putting it in a so called "bargain bin." Consumers will think that your art is not worth the full price you put on it, and will in turn not buy it.

            He says donating art will also humiliate you, particularly if your piece is among several donated pieces on a wall. He believes that you will disappear in the crowd and will become just another person with an invitation to an event.   

            If you really feel compelled to donate to a charity, the author says donating money is the best thing you can do for your art, and your career.  Collectors will assume the price you ask for in your gallery is the best price they will ever get, so your art will sell for what you feel it is worth, instead of 50 bucks at a charity event.   

           HCA does not have a position on the donating of art.  We are bringing it to your attention as food for thought.
          Members, care to share your ideas on this.on this?  Send them to us and you might see them in the next newsletter!

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Recent Letters 

Well Fred,
I guess that is the answer for everything "We're all just volunteers here"! I guess another viewing of bureaucracy at work for your hard earned dollars! We can't say you didn't try, but unfortunately when you try and work with others that are still thinking in the past, you won't get far. Don't give in because it was very obvious by the turnout that our great?? T&D commision were very intimidated by the turnout. Thank you for everything that you are trying to do for all of the artists in Highlands County...  

Rick Knoche

  

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