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Dear Friend of HCA,
2011 has been an eventful year for HCA. Much has been accomplished resulting in this information packed, long scroll newsletter.
We have literally been making news. In the last three months alone there have been some 17 articles in the news that feature the importance of cultural tourism and question TDC's sports centric funding. Our campaign to educate the public and have art & culture receive its designated share of TDC funding is making a difference:
- A News Sun survey indicates that 84% of the public is in support of eliminating heads in beds as criteria for funding events that promote the county and its assets
- The 17% of TDC funds mandated in 2002 (by county ordinance 8-222) for promoting art & culture is now being enforced
- We have received some TDC funding (pending, with strings attached) for the Art & Music Fest.
The TDC still has policies in place which are not in fitting with state statutes or county ordinances. These policies inhibit access to funding for small, not-for-profit, A&C organizations to produce or promote activities that attract cultural tourists. We will be advocating for a review of these TDC policies and their repercussions in the light of recent research on tourism.
This newsletter also takes a look at the other side of HCAby reporting on our pilot program to encourage 4th grade students to get involved in literature. Read Millie Richmond's story.
We also address two issues that have come up recently affecting the local art community, censorship and copyright concerns. We offer some food for thought on both subjects.
A trending note, and cause for optimism, in the coming years is our partnership with the Economic Development Commission of Highlands County (EDC). The EDC has contributed $350 in sponsorship for the HCA Art & Music Fest and is now promoting the county's cultural assets to attract new businesses. They have done the research.
I wish you all a joyous holiday season and a healthy, prosperous and productive new year.
In Earnest,
Fred Leavitt, President
Heartland Cultural Alliance
www.heartlandculturalalliance.org
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General Membership Meeting / Artist's Reception
By Chris Williams | |
A General Membership Meeting was held before the opening of the HCA Art and Music Fest at the Lakeshore Mall on Thursday, December 1. Bruce Behrens filled in for Fred Leavitt who was unable to attend due to illness. Bruce gave the floor over to Amanda Farmer who discussed the disbursements of grants to community A & C organizations and projects. This grant money is secured through a portion of the proceeds from the "Support the Arts" Florida license plate fees. $2500 was received from the state and $1500 was designated for grants. The other $1000 was earmarked for future grants as more license plate funds accumulate.
Bruce then gave a synoptic time line of the growth and accomplishments of HCA over the last year and a half. Beginning with 17 attendees in April 2010 for the purpose of deciding whether to renew the HCA charter and electing a new board, HCAmembership now stands at over100 member organizations and individuals
In September 2010, the first opening of the HCA gallery at the SebringAirport featured the work of Jim Fitch. Mayor George Hensley designated September 24, 2010as "Jim Fitch Day." Approximately 80 people attended. Since then, the gallery has featured the works of Bill Daily, Christine Yarborough, Loretta DeWitt, Phyllis Behrens, and others. The "Spill Your Heart Out" exhibit, in a downtown gallery, was also in September, drawing about 200 people.
Beginning in 2011, the HCA online newsletter began circulation. In February, two ongoing events were initiated. The HCA Gallery at Kenilworth Lodge opens a new exhibit each month with the inclusion of an open mike session for musicians. Also beginning in February, "Scribe's Night Out" has been held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month (with the exception of holidays) at Brewster's Coffee House. SNO is for the literary branch of HCA. Sherry Carlson, SNO coordinator, announced that after the one-year anniversary event in January the reins will be handed over to Larry and Elaine Levy.
The issue with the Tourism Development Council was discussed and it appears that progress is being made in holding the council to the 2002 referendum allocating 17% of funds for A & C events. This year's Mall Fest was able to secure some of that funding. The desire of HCAis to make Sebring a cultural tourism destination at the crossroads of the state.
Lisa Hollingsworth spoke briefly about the early stages of the Lake Wales Ridge Project. The focus is on protecting the 66 endangered species of flora and fauna in this area. HCA photographers, artists, and writers are involved in the project which will result in an educational art exhibit. This project is a partnership between HCAand the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Harriett Porter gave an update on the Tour Lake Placid committee, which started meeting in June. Again, the focus of the group is on cultural tourism. The link between Lake PlacidFL and Lake PlacidNY was resident Melville Dewey, inventor of the Dewey classification system used in public libraries. Harriet announced that a proclamation has been given declaring the two towns as sister cities. A video is in the works detailing the historical significance of Lake Placid through an actor portraying Melville Dewey. 2012 is the 85th anniversary of the town.
After the meeting, the Mall Fest was kicked off with a "meet & greet" with wine, punch, and appetizers. |
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From the Classroom to the Coffee House
by Millie Richmond |
 | | Millie Richmond introduces student readers |
Fourth-graders from CrackerTrailElementary School in Sebring recently participated in a unique experience at Brewster's Coffee House. Scribes Night Out invited them to share their original writings at a public forum.
HCA has been looking for an avenue to connect with students and SNO provided that connection by dedicating one of its evenings to 4th graders. This grade level was chosen because 4th grade is the first year Florida students take the FCAT Writing test. Twenty-four Cracker Trail students submitted their narrative and expository writings to be critiqued by SNO members.
The kids' efforts jumped out on every page and each piece of writing had something positive to offer. To follow SNO format one student, whose writing took giant steps beyond the ordinary, was selected as Featured Reader. That honor went to Mandie Meier. In total, eighteen students participated as 74 family members and friends listened in the audience.
SNO is delighted with the support and the opportunity to remind kids that
 | | HCA President awards certificate to student reader Dina Ann Colitti |
writing is a lifelong skill, whatever field they may enter as adults. From science to sports, or education to entertainment, they will have to express themselves clearly in writing.
Brewster's Coffee hosted the event. Its owner, Bruce Rogers, has been a constant in supporting The Arts here, and he provides the place for Scribes Night Out bimonthly gatherings.
SNO hopes to hold another evening for students in the spring. For more information about Scribes Night Out, contact Larry or Elaine Levey at 863-385-8618. |
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HCA Today Sponsor | |
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Protecting Your Work
A Copyright Primer
By Fred Leavitt | |
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time (50 years after the death of the creator). Generally, it is "the right to copy", but also gives the copyright holder the right to be credited for the work, to determine who may adapt the work to other forms, who may perform the work, who may financially benefit from it, and other, related rights.
Once your work is shown publicly it is vulnerable to copyright infringement. Not only can others reproduce and profit from it, but you can find yourself in a serious lawsuit.
Imagine creating a portrait for your portfolio, posting it on the web and later finding the image used on a porno site to advertise vibratiors. If that image was not protected you can be held liable and sued by the subject, to say nothing of your reputation.
It's not that risky as long as you protect your work by copyright notice. In all countries where the Berne Convention standards apply (the US signed in 1989), copyright is automatic, and need not be obtained through official registration with any government office. However, lack of notice of copyright may have consequences in terms of reduced damages in a lawsuit. Using copyright notice will reduce the liklihood of a defense of "innocent infringement " being successful. If you regester your work with the US Copyright office you will be able to collect attorny fees in addittion to damages.
As the owner of the copyrights to your work you can sell reproduction rights as long as you do not sign a Work for Hire agreement and you have model releases where applicable. You can make more then pocket change by selling reproduction rights to magazines, advertising agencies, greeting card, calendar and book publishers, as well as through stock agencies. Prices are negotiable. However, there are standards in the industry that can be found at this site http://photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm. Check it out you might be surprised at the value of your work that can be sold again and again.
The key is to have copyright notice on or attached to your work in the required format which is © your name, date of copyright. I.e. © Fred Leavitt 2011, and/or the publication/media you sell to must have copyright notification as part of its content.
Your original work has value. If it is being reproduced and someone is profiting you are entitled to compensation in one form or another. That's negotiable. Keep it that way by identifying it as copyrighted.
For more information click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright#History
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Art & Music Fest @ Lakeshore Mall
By Chris Williams | |
Friday, December 2, was the official start of the 2011 HCA Art & Music Fest. 114 pieces of art were on display by many of our local artists. Jewelry by Phyllis Behrens and Joseph "Tony" Anthony was on display and for sale. Tony helped hang the artwork prior to the opening. Phyllis did a great deal of work in food preparation, room decoration and not only opened the doors each day, but was there the whole time to help where needed. Larry Levey was there to promote the historical book Yesterday: A Family Album of Highlands County. The Lake Placid Art League, as well as other artists and craftspersons were set up in the mall just outside the HCA venue. The Glad Hatters of Highlands Little Theater put on an exceptional performance, as usual.
Shoppers at the mall were sparse, which resulted in a fairly uneventful day with low attendance. The consensus was that the room made for a beautiful gallery and music venue, but its remote location in the mall resulted in marginal foot traffic. Many people reported that they were unable to find the gallery. Fred Leavitt said, "We will not make that mistake again."
Saturday was well attended and featured many local musicians. Authors Sunny Serafino, Jim Gulledge, and Millie Richmond joined Larry and Elaine Levey to sell and autograph their respective books. Many of the artists were there to discuss their work with mall browsers and prospective buyers. Two commissions were received.
The duo Uptown Country performed first with classics from the genres of Country, Jazz, Blues, Latin, and Christmas music. Mark Manley was up next with a potpourri of traditional bagpipe tunes. Before he took the stage, he marched up and down the mall to attract shoppers to the event. He interspersed his performance with quips and jokes, promoted the Celtic Society of Highlands County, and invited would-be pipers to join the rehearsals at the Highlands County Fraternal Order of Police.
Next was a treat from artists James and Kay Hahn. James and Kay are new to Sebring and were drawn here by the atmosphere of a budding artist community. They have galleries in Vero Beach and Lake Wales and they specialize in murals. They also have a history as musicians. From the mid-80's to the late 90's they composed and performed with a band called Beat Zero. James said, "On occasion, we will resurrect our material for friends and at art shows. In art & music, we are chameleons; working in diverse styles... we created some of those songs by creating a hypothetical music group named Cracker Moon & the History Angels, and then penning music we thought they would perform."
 The next band, Legacy, played at last year's Art & Music Fest and again blew the roof off with original blues-rock and some cover tunes. The last to perform on Saturday was bluegrass band Addicted 2 Jesus. Such cultural diversity is a trademark of HCA and all of its events. Many thanks to Travis Garcia for booking the musicians.
Close to 600 people attended and the fund-raiser brought in $1200 and several new members.
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HCA Grants | |
 The Heartland Cultural Alliance (HCA) is the designated Local Arts Agency (LAA) for HighlandsCountyand as such is authorized by state and county government to collect and distribute funding to local art & culture organizations.
The State of Florida Department of Transportation returns $20 to HCA for each FloridaState of the Arts specialty license plate sold in HighlandsCounty (Do you have yours yet?). This money is distributed through a HCA granting program to local not-for-profit organizations.
The HCAis pleased to announce this year's grant panel,) awarded the following grants:
- Lake Placid DepotMuseum - $250.00 to Kay Tarr for expenses to build a display designed to celebrate Lake Placid's 85th birthday
- Toby the Clown Foundation, INC - $100.00 for Jr. Joey Clown Classes
- Ridge Area Arc - $500.00 for supplies to enable art students to make outdoor decorations to be sold, along with plants in Arc's nursery
- Lake PlacidHistoricalSocietyDepotMuseum - $250.00 for a video depicting the life and times of Melville Dewey, the founder of Lake Placid
- The Children's Museum - $250.00 to fund the development of children's interactive exhibits
- The Boy's and Girl's club of HighlandsCounty- $100.00 for a percussion education program.
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HCA Today Sponsor | |
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Censorship of the Arts
By Chris Williams |  Censorship has fueled an historical debate between free-thought artistic expression and conservative authority for centuries. The issue is usually tested when the venue is public and government-sanctioned or funded. Privately owned establishments are free to practice discretionary censorship. We might expect censorship from conservative owners of private businesses, but we would think that establishments and organizations dedicated to the arts would be least affected by attempts at censorship.
Government authorities may choose which artistic endeavors to fund; however, once it does it cannot restrict art that some might find offensive if it does not meet the state or federal test for obscenity. That test for the U.S. Supreme Court is called the Miller Test, named after Miller v. California. The criteria it states in defining obscenity are: a) whether the average person applying contemporary community standards would find that the material as a whole would appeal to the prurient (tending to excite lust, lascivious, lewd) interest; b) whether the work depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way; and c) whether the material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value (Burger, 1973). Case studies
In conclusion, we see that cities, districts, and states may enforce certain decisions in determining the expression of artistic intent. However, when challenged, these acts may be found to be contradictory to the First Amendment. In a public forum, once an artistic standard is approved it is a violation of free expression if the standard is changed (Hopper & Rupp v. City of Pasco). It is also a violation to prohibit free expression with prior restraint. If an artist violates a civil law, legal action may be taken afterwards, but not prior to the commission (Tunick v. Safir & the City of New York). In Florida, decisions have been upheld in regard to literary censorship. Decisions have also been reversed when public sentiment demands it. The remedy for artistic censorship lies in the willingness and persistence to challenge the decisions of public and private authority. Censorship outside the boundaries of the Miller Test can only lead down a slippery slope to unconstitutional prohibition of free expression.
References:
Burger, C. J. (1973).Miller v. California. Retrieved from http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0413_0015_ZS.html
Keeran, H. (2011). Art censorship laws in America. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/list_6060101_art-censorship-laws-america.html#ixzz1fraCFZ1hKeeran, H. (2011). Censorship laws in Florida. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/list_6038735_censorship-laws-florida.html
National Coalition Against Censorship. (2011). Significance: Hopper and Rupp v. City of Pasco. Retrieved from http://www.ncac.org/art-law/sum-hop.cfm |
New Members at HCA | |
Lake Placid Noon Rotary Club
Economic Developement Council of Highlands County
Agnes Laiosa
Mary Bouteiller
Yvonne Schwartz
Reba Brown
Mike Pirkkala
Burke and Carter Even
William Bokis
Janes & Kay Hahn |
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Letters | |
Send letters to info@heartlandculturalalliance.org. All letters for publication must be identified with the writer's name.
Recent Letters
Hi Guys,
Thank you for the newsletter. Yes it is very pleasing to learn of Sherry and Chris's wedding. HCA should be so proud of yourselfs. Great work!
Kimberly Meyers
Hello:
Congratulations, I saw your picture and the victory sign in the paper this a.m. That ($100 donation) was so nice of the Rotary Club. You know, you are now receiving some credibility for your efforts. Someone said that it is always darkest before the dawn.
Harriett Porter
Fred, you have been a busy man this year. The fruits of your labor are very impressive.
Harry Canfield
Went to the Art and Music fest today. Awesome job everyone. Melissa your Snowy Egrets are so majestic. Where did you find them dancing like that? Ken Merop, Bill Dailey and Fred Leavitt I love the canvas prints. Maybe a class on them one day?? Jeni Novak I love the colors in your art work so bright and eye catching! All the work shown there is extremely good and makes me hope that one day I will be just as great as ya'll are!
Patty Lloyd
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On Your Birthday
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Buy a Florida State of the Arts license plate and 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!
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HCA CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
Dec. 2011 - Jan. 2012
The Lake Placid Historical Society is hosting their Annual Christmas Party at 1PM at the Caladium Co-Op (132 E Interlake Blvd-6(99-5940 It is a Pot Luck Dinner for both members and friends and all interested parties. Join us for a fun and entertaining program. We will provide Turkey and Ham. Bring a covered dish to share.
The Co-Op has kindly consented to host our event again since we are working together to promote Herritage Tourism in Lake Placid
Museum Phone Number 465-1771 for details or questions
Tanglewood Art League's second annual art show Jan. 21,2012 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm Raffle tickets on sale for a Bob Dikon oil painting. ( Bob does beautiful landscape painting)
27 N. to Tanglewood entrance where the art show will be held in the clubhouse community room.
Author Sunny Serafino will be teaching a creative writing course at SFCC beginning January 19th through February 23rd.
The class will be held for six consecutive weeks beginning January 19th through February 23rd from 1:00 to 3:00 on the main campus on College Drive in Building B, Room 316. The cost of the course is $57.00 the phone number for registration is 863-784-7405.
Highlands Little Theatre
December 17, 230 PM - "All of the Things That Christmas Is" concert performed by Highlands Little Theatre and the Heartland Pops. Music, singing, storytelling & "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Tickets: Adults $10, Child 11 & under $5. Box office: 863-382-2525 www.highlandslittletheatre.org
December 27 & 28, 230 PM - "Forever Doo Wop, A Tribute to the 50s & 60s".
Presented by Blend, an acappella group bringing back those fun-loving memories with music from the 50's and 60's era all with a twist of fun! If laughter is what you seek, you''ll find it with the way that Blend presents these timeless classics in their own comical way. New in 2011, is a classic country section that features great music from the Statler Brothers and Oak Ridge Boys. To add the finishing touches to their show, Blend takes audiences through their good ole' Southern Gospel section with their favorite hymns. What more of a show could you ask for? Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Box office: 863-382-2525
www.highlandslittletheatre.org
January 13- 29, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 8 PM, Sundays 230 PM - "The Diary of Anne Frank". Winner of the 1956 Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, Critics Circle Award, and virtually every other coveted prize of the theatre. The NY Daily News said, "There is so much beauty, warm humor, gentle pity...this is a fine drama." Adapted from Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Doors open one hour before curtain. Tickets are $20 each. Convenience fees applied to online purchases. Sponsored by The News Sun & Alan Jay Automotive. Box office: 863-382-2525 or
highlandslittletheatre.org
SFCC Performing Arts Center
Season at a Glance
Community Drum Circle
3rd Sunday
3-5pm behind the
Sebring Civic Center on Lake Jackson
Free Event- some
instruments available
Contact
Fred: (863) 402-8238,
mail
Scribes' Night Out
2nd and 4th Sundays
Brewster's Coffee House
2191 US Highway 27N
863-314-8890
6:30 pm- closing
Readings by local authors.
Open mike for both published and unpublished writers after the featured reader. To schedule as a featured reader, call or email Sherry Carlson at 954-319-2140 or sherryc@vistanet.net.
Brewsters in Blue
Starting Sunday,January 15, 2012 there will be an evening of interactive blues music starting at 6 PM.
Sebring Scribblers & Scribes
First Wednesday of every month at Beef O'Brady's
Meeting at 7 pm
Come one hour early for dinner. | |
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Members Links
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Photo by Bill Dailey www.displaycreation.com |
Weekly painting and drawing classes with Anne Watson are available in Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid. For additional information, please contact Anne at anne@annewatsonstudio
HCA members, this is your space for announcing events. It is a free membership perk.
HCA is your voice to the creative community.
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