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Arts Updates, Interviews, Calendar, Calls for Artists and Volunteers, Auditions --- It's All Here in Arts Blast, Arts Blast on the Air, and on Facebook. | Supporting The Arts & Arts Councils Everywhere | |
Volume 4 No. 46| December 16, 2022 | |
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Notes from the Editor:
Arts Blast on the Air’s regulars recently heard my conversation with Anthony Horowitz, a British author and creator/writer of several of my favorite TV series: Midsomer Murders, Foyle’s War, and now Magpie Murders on PBS. He’s also the author of the Alex Rider YA series, among others. Learn all about this interesting guy, who often teams up on projects with his wife, Jill Green, on his website.
Last month, I finished reading two of his latest, one of them a James Bond novel, With a Mind to Kill, and one from his Hawthorne and Horowitz series, The Twist of a Knife. I asked Horowitz’s publisher if I could give away that one to an Arts Blast reader. Yes was the answer, so if you’d like a chance to read your own copy of t/he Twist of a Knife, send an email with a three digit number (100-999) in the subject line to willi@willimiller.com. On December 31, I’ll use a random number-generator app to pick the winner, who must live in the Unite States. Good luck!
This is the time of year I remind readers to shop local, shop small business. Arts Blast is one of them, so if you have an event coming up, or something artsy to sell or teach, consider advertising it in Arts Blast!
Click to Subscribe to Arts Blast
Some St. John webcam links, just for the pleasure of it
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Bookmark On the Calendar at WilliMiller.com for frequent updates. Calls for Artists, Auditions, & Volunteers are on the website, too. Catch up with events at Willi Miller's Arts Blast on Facebook and pick up some laughs and interesting info on the Willi Miller's Arts Blast Extras page. | |
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Bonnie Pfeister & the Garden Club of Indian River County Ornament
An Anthony Horowitz Giveaway
It’s Happening in Brevard
Sandi, a Really Big Tree
Holiday Lights Galore!
VBMA Call for Artists & Instuctors!
Vero Beach Art Club
A.C.T. Studio Theatre
Free Trees
VBMA Call for Artists & Instructors!
Final Weekend for Music and Comedy at Riverside
Space Coast Flute Orchestra in Concert
Playtime in the Park - with Ballerinas!
... and much more!
CHECK THE ARTS BLAST CALENDAR ONLINE FOR DAILY ADDITIONS
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This is the final weekend for Live in the Loop & Comedy Zone Experience for the season at Riverside Theatre! | |
Bright New Ornament Celebrates Garden Club of Indian River County and Gardenfest! | |
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This is the 31st year for the Garden Club of Indian River County's Christmas Ornament. Each one has featured a familiar place or event in Indian River County. This year, the colorful brass ornament celebrates the 20th anniversary of Gardenfest!, the February event that has grown to attract an audience of 20,000 visitors to Riverside Park in Vero Beach. Gardenfest! 2023 is scheduled for February 4&5. Check the website for the list of vendors.
Natalie Jackson had the original idea for the Garden Club to produce a Christmas ornament as a fundraiser. For all but the 1993 Ocean Grill ornament, Arun Wijetilleke provided the design and Jackson the enclosed bit of history behind each ornament. View the entire gallery of ornaments on the Garden Club's website.
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For the first design in this fourth decade of the project, Bonnie Pfiester, a one-year member of the Seagrape Circle of GCIRC, was tapped. The busy owner of Lift Vero squeezed in a little time for a Q&A about her gardening interests and production of the 2022 ornament.
What are your garden-related interests? Learning about all things gardening. I love propagating, floral design, DIY landscape design and growing fruit, veggies and herbs.
How did you get involved with creating the ornament this year? I was asked to serve on the committee since my circle knew I have an artistic eye and l love art, photography and design. They didn’t know I drew but I also didn’t know I was going to end up doing design work. I just thought I was going to put my two cents in. Ha!
Walk us through the process from concept to finished project: On our first ornament committee meeting the chairperson presented the committee with photographs taken of Gardenfest! so we could get ideas. I could visualize how it might be laid out so I started sketching on my iPad what I was envisioning, thinking it would be helpful for the ladies to have a visual reference - or get feedback on things they did or didn’t like. I initially was just doing it in hopes to make it easier for us to communicate what we wanted to the ornament company’s artist. But, as we continued getting feedback by the committee, etc., it was just easier for me to keep drawing, tweaking and adding. It basically just evolved. I had never thought I would be the “designer”. I just wanted to help.
How long did it take? I had a rough draft that first day of our meeting. Then I spent maybe a few hours, little at a time over a few weeks, fine tuning, narrowing down colors, etc.
What is your background in art? I have drawn all my life, starting with crayon cartoons and grade school art. My grandfather would sit me on his lap while he sketched cute little squiggly cartoons. I guess it was in my genes. For some reason I never took any art classes (I beat myself up for that one! I wish I did!), but I always enjoyed photography and I expressed myself through poems, writing songs and drawing all through school. I still have some of my early drawings of everything from skateboarder action shots to sketches of fashion models.
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With the onset of computers in the late '80s, I quickly moved my canvas to digital artwork and graphic design. I designed company logos in high school using the huge old school DOS computers with printer paper that was in a roll. Ha! As part of my role at our gym, I create all our ads, logos, website design and t-shirt designs as part of my job but it’s my favorite part of my job. I love creating - painting, drawing, macramé, web design, decorating, creating fun events or campaigns and pretty much anything that has to do with being creative. (I also now manage the Garden Club’s website, graphics and social media.) I have never considered myself an artist, so having a part in this design is something I really am proud to be a part of. | |
What computer apps did you use: I did the original sketches by hand on my iPad. Then I moved to my computer and used Photoshop.
What research was required? The committee did all the research, but since this one was so familiar to us, there was not much research required. All the ladies on the committee knew the white trellis entry would be the focal point, along with the banana leaves and bougainvilleas - and the idea of people shopping.
Who wrote the text in the boxes? Penny Morgan.
Will you do it again next year? I will definitely serve on the committee and contribute. I am not sure what the theme will be next year of course but I am kind of excited to see if I can come up with anything. I am almost excited just thinking about the challenge.
I actually had a long-time gym member text me after picking up her ornaments. She buys the ornaments every year to pass down to her daughters. She was so excited to see my name on them. We have trained both her daughters so she was extra excited at this year’s “special” ornament. It has been such a privilege and honor - just a little lasting mark I get to make in our community. It means a lot to me - to know a part of me will live on, and hang on trees, even after I am gone.
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The 53rd annual performance of Handel's Messiah at First Baptist Church in Vero Beach is Sunday, Dec. 18, at 4 p.m. Doors open at 3 p.m. | |
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." - Scott Adams | |
Art in the Park December 18! | Meet the Nutcracker cast! | |
From the Lake Wales History Museum:
Harken back to a simpler time, when sugarplums danced in your head and Jack Frost nipped at your nose. A time when your mom bundled you up so tight, it was hard to put your arms down. Dad drove everyone to the city for your annual Christmas tradition...storefront window displays. Come relive those traditions with our new Christmas exhibit, Yuletide of Yesteryear. Visit Tillman's Toystore, Johnson's Clothiers, and more! Window-shop like a kid again, now until the strike of midnight News Year's Eve.
New Exhibit from the Museum of Florida History coming January 10-April 11, 2023.
Stop in and learn about the rich history of Blues and Jazz in central Florida. This exhibit has interactive displays, videos, and much more to learn about how Florida Got the Blues!
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❄️🌲⛄️ Holidays in Brevard! | |
The Space Coast Flute Orchestra Holiday Concert
Sunday December 18, 3 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Brevard
4300 N Wickham Rd., Melbourne
The concert is free. No tickets are required.
Donations will be gratefully accepted.
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Dec. 16-18: Museums of Brevard 3rd Annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes featuring eight different historic homes throughout Brevard (some participating homes require reservations)
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Through Dec 18: Who’s Holiday, Shuler Stage - Titusville Playhouse
Through Dec. 18: Holiday Spectacular: Season’s Greetings, Henegar Center
Through Dec. 18: The Galmont Ballet: Nutcracker, Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse
Dec 17: Classic Albums Live: The Lithium Experience, King Center
Dec 17: A Rockapella Christmas, King Center, Melbourne
Dec 18: Sing We Now of Christmas, Indialantic Chamber Singers, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Indialantic
Dec 21: A Night to Remember: A Christmas Musical, King Center
Dec 21: Film: It’s A Wonderful Life, Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse
Dec 21 & 22: Snow in Love Concert, Melbourne Community Orchestra, Melbourne Auditorium,
Dec 24: Surfing Santas, behind Coconuts, Cocoa Beach, SurfingSantas.org
Dec 30: Melbourne City Ballet Theatre: Sleeping Beauty, King Center
Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner & Dance, Melbourne Municipal Band, Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place
Through Dec. 18- Irving Berlin's White Christmas at Titusville Playhouse
Through Dec. 24 - Studios Holiday Pop-Up Shop at Studios of Cocoa Beach
Through Dec. 31- Comfort & Joy - 40th annual holiday fine craft show at Fifth Avenue Art gallery
Through Dec. 31- Studios' Annual Members Exhibition at Studios of Cocoa Beach
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This Saturday, December 17 at 11 a.m.
Meet the Ballerinas:
Nutcracker on the Indian River
Join in on the fun! A FREE EVENT ideal for kids aged 2-5! Meet the Ballet Vero Beach Ballerinas of Nutcracker on the Indian River and join the dance education program faculty members, professional dancers, and current dance students for a dance along, and mini-performance. Find the excitement on the Riverside Theatre outdoor Loop Stage this Saturday!
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Arts Garage in Delray Beach to Present Edgy, Eye-Opening Drama by Local Playwright Tyler Ellman
Tap Dancing Through Auschwitz
December 22 & 24
Tap Dancing through Auschwitz follows five high school seniors as they visit the infamousconcentration camp Auschwitz, on a trip known as The March of the Living. While in the midst of their own life transitions, their entire world is flipped upside down as they bear witness to the horrors of their ancestors’ past. This coming-of-age story shows the inevitable relationship between light and darkness, suffering and hope, and misery and faith. Inspired by true events, this play is an edgy yet eye-opening experience that diverges from the typical classroom setting–incorporating a racy and colloquial dialogue that creates a familiarity with young audiences. Thus, forming a bridge between the younger generation and the history of the past, which cannot stand to be ignored.
Photo: Tyler Ellman
|  | Thanks to Ed Perry for sharing this gorgeous shot of a loggerhead sea turtle. | |
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Celebrate the holiday season at McKee Botanical Garden, Vero Beach, during the Magic of McKee Festival of Lights Thursday, December 15 through Saturday, December 17, Tuesday, December 20 through Friday, December 23, and Wednesday, December 28 through Friday, December 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. each night. The last admission ticket sold at 7:30 pm.
The Garden will be closed on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, and Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, and New Year’ s Eve, Saturday, December 31, and New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, 2023.
Off-site parking and shuttle buses are located at 146 Vista Royale Sq. (less than a mile south of McKee Botanical Garden).
The Garden will close at 5:00 pm and will reopen at 6:00 pm for these special events. Garden admission for the holiday events is a separate admission from our regular business hours.
For a complete listing of dates and times of all the activities, please visit our website at www.mckeegarden.org.
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From the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County:
The Palm Beaches brought a little sunshine to New York City this week! Teams from the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, Discover The Palm Beaches, and Mounts Botanical Garden traveled to NYC to kick off a “wow-worthy” public art installation representing the area’s vibrant attractions, arts and culture, glittering views of the Atlantic, and more. A giant abstract art installation modeled after The Palm Beaches’ attractions was on display at the Related Companies’ The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards in NYC through last week. Designed by floral artist Lisa Waud — whose work will appear at Mounts Botanical Garden in April — the interactive piece featured hundreds of fresh tropical botanicals, including orchids, monsteras, philodendrons, hibiscus, roses, birds of paradise, and foxtail ferns. Shoppers and visitors spent the week feeling the warm and sunny vibes of Palm Beach County without leaving New York City!
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The world’s only 35-foot, 800-ton holiday sand tree returns to the West Palm Beach waterfront, and this year’s new element is Ferris the Ferris wheel. The month-long Holiday in Paradise (HIP) campaign runs through December 31.
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Sandi’s synchronized music and light shows will run nightly on the quarter hour from 6 – 10 p.m. through December (except on days with scheduled special events). In sync with Sandi’s show, the dancing Centennial Fountain will again be joining Sandi’s nightly party. With the addition of Ferris to this year’s activities, guests will have a new, aerial view of HIP and Sandi. Ferris rides will be available from 6 – 10 pm nightly throughout the month of December. The 65-foot Ferris wheel features gondola seating and its own light show.
Other daily mainstays throughout HIP include additional sand sculptures that are a combined 100 tons of sand and memory-making photo spots.
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December 17 - Sandi and Santa’s Annual Pancake Breakfast: 9 am – noon | Lake Pavilion near the Great Lawn: Families are encouraged to get their tickets quickly, as this event is a consistent sellout. In addition to a pancake breakfast, guests will have private access to Santa and Mrs. Claus and a ticket to Ferris’ only daytime ride of the season.
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December 18 - Sunday on the Waterfront featuring Aloha Islanders: 4 – 7 pm | Great Lawn: Dancers from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand will perform high-energy routines, giving residents and visitors an authentic Polynesian performance – without booking an international flight. A true West Palm Beach tradition, the holiday-inspired tropical island spectacular is complete with beautiful hula dancers and daring fire performers. The show is interactive and appropriate for all ages.
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December 31 – Sandi’s Last Night (New Year’s Eve): 6 pm – midnight: Save the date for Sandi’s final swan song. Sandi’s nightly music and light shows are extended until midnight.
How to Get to Sandi and Where to Park?
Sandi sits in the middle of downtown West Palm Beach’s Great Lawn, which is at the east end of lively Clematis Street and just west of scenic Flagler Drive. There are easy-to-use parking lots nearby, or park in city garages on Clematis Street, Banyan Boulevard and Evernia Street.
Photo courtesy of the City of West Palm Beach
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Streaming First Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach presents many concerts and special performances. If you can't get to them in person, visit the church's website and watch the archived videos!
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From the Lake Wales History Museum:
Harken back to a simpler time, when sugarplums danced in your head and Jack Frost nipped at your nose. A time when your mom bundled you up so tight, it was hard to put your arms down. Dad drove everyone to the city for your annual Christmas tradition...storefront window displays. Come relive those traditions with our new Christmas exhibit, Yuletide of Yesteryear. Visit Tillman's Toystore, Johnson's Clothiers, and more! Window-shop like a kid again, now until the strike of midnight News Year's Eve.
New Exhibit from the Museum of Florida History coming January 10-April 11, 2023.
Stop in and learn about the rich history of Blues and Jazz in central Florida. This exhibit has interactive displays, videos, and much more to learn about how Florida Got the Blues!
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Vero Beach Theatre Guild announces audition dates for The Boy from OZ: January 9, 10, 11, 7 p.m.
- 7 females/all singers (1 plays Judy Garland, 1 plays Liza Minelli) ages 21 – 60+
- 6 males/all singers 6 ages 21 – 35
- 2 males 35+ & 65+
- 1 boy (sings solo &; dances) age 12 (or a small 14 – 15-year-old.)
| The Master Chorale of South Florida presents Comfort & Joy - Dec. 16, 8 p.m. at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale and Dec. 17, 8 p.m., at St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church, Boca Raton | |
A.C.T. Studio Theatre celebrates the holiday season with Andrew J. Fenady's radio play "Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus" Dec. 9 - 18. "Virginia" (Sophia Staniec) writes her letter asking if Santa Claus exists. Show features a cast of 14. Tickets and info: actstudiotheatre.com; (772) 932-8880. Tickets $26. Students' and children's tickets available. Photo courtesy of A.C.T. Studio Theatre.
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Join us for our annual Garden of Lights Display! Be amazed with over 5 acres of splendor! Santa Claus will be onsite most evenings! Food and Beverages available for purchase. A must is our Garden of Lights Swag, get your 3D glasses or glow accessories to really liven up your experience. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door. Music will be performed most evenings by local musicians. Pets are not permitted entry for Garden of Lights. |  | |
Palm Beach Zoo Festival of Lights
Zoo Lights, presented by Florida Power & Light Company, FPL SolarNow, has become a Florida holiday tradition for families and friends. While the animals slumber, Palm Beach Zoo is illuminated for the holidays with over one million eco-friendly lights. Select evenings from 6 – 9 pm the Zoo will be aglow with unique themed displays throughout the entire 23 acres. The festive holiday fun also features photos with Santa (until Dec. 23rd), a DJ holiday dance party, seasonal treats and more!
- The main parking lot of the Zoo may fill up quickly. Additional Parking is located just across Summit Blvd. to the south in Dreher Park South lots A, B, C, and soccer field.
- Renaissance Charter School, located on the west side of the underpass will be open for off-site parking each night.
- Molly's Trolleys will bring guests to the front gate of the Zoo for drop off and pick up on Premium Nights (Nov. 25 - 27 & Dec. 16 - 23).
Drop Off
Once the main parking lot (on the Zoo side of Summit) is full, a drop-off lane will be available near the main gate.
1301 Summit Boulevard
West Palm Beach
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Vero Beach Art Club's Holiday Plans
The Holiday Showcase this year runs through December 22. Holiday ornaments and a festively decorated tree will be on display and auctioned off at the Vero Beach Art Club Gallery & Marketplace, 1903 14th Ave, Vero Beach.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Open during First Friday Gallery Stroll December 2, 5-8 p.m.
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From the Society of The Four Arts:
Hard Bodies: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer Sculpture
Lacquer is a tradition nearly as old as civilization itself. Since Neolithic times, artisans in East Asia have used the toxic sap of the lacquer tree (toxicodendron vernicifluum) to coat and bond together wood, bamboo, textiles, and ceramics to make utilitarian and ritual items. The natural polymer refined from the sap forms a durable, waterproof surface that protects and beautifies. Lacquerware was — and still is — prized for its sheen, which artists have learned to accentuate over the centuries with inlaid gold, silver, mother-of-pearl, and other precious materials.
Since the late 1980s, this tradition has been challenged. A small but enterprising circle of artists began pushing the medium in entirely new and dynamic directions by creating large-scale sculptures, works that are both conceptually innovative and superbly exploitative of lacquer’s natural qualities. These artists mastered lacquer’s demanding techniques while successfully altering its age-old perception by expanding boundaries and defying expectations.
Organized by the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the 33 works by 16 artists in Hard Bodies constitute the first-ever comprehensive exhibition of contemporary Japanese lacquer sculpture. All the works are from MIA’s Clark Collection, which is named for longtime Japanophiles Willard and Elizabeth Clark, who donated over 1,700 artworks to MIA in 2013. The Clark Collection is the only collection in the world to feature this extraordinary new form.
CURATOR LECTURE
Andreas Marks, Hard Bodies: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer Sculpture
Monday, January 9 at 11 a.m.
No charge; reservations required; book signing to follow
Credit: Sasai Fumie, Look, 1994, lacquer, gold powder, silver powder, and seashell powder on Styrofoam. Minneapolis Institute of Art, Gift of the Clark Center for Japanese Arts & Culture, 2015.35.31, 2. Photo: Minneapolis Institute of Art
Hours: Sunday – 1 to 5 p.m.; Monday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday – Four Arts members only, 1 to 5 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
100 Four Arts Plaza
Palm Beach
| Treasure Coast Theatre presents "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" -- the second longest running Off-Broadway musical in history. This hilarious show takes on the truths and myths behind the modern relationship --everything you ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit! Jan. 6-22 weekends. | |
The Vero Beach Choral Society is in need of vocalists in both Tenor and Alto ranges. Anyone who can read music and has experience singing in a vocal ensemble is welcomed to join the group by audition. Visit the group’s website, www.VeroBeachChoralSociety.org, and click on “Audition” to apply.
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Free trees available at the Audubon House in Vero Beach:
- 7 ft Southern Live Oaks in 3g pots -Produces the most insects for birds
- 6 ft Pond Cypress in 3g pots-Grows in dry soils also
- 3 ft Dahoon Holly in small pots- Small tree that needs irrigation
Visit our Pelican Island Audubon Society’s Audubon House at 195 9th St. SE (Oslo Rd) Vero Beach on Sun, Wed, or Fri from 9-11 a.m. to pick up trees. Also, Native Plants for sale! Hummingbirds will come! See our websites:
https://pelicanislandaudubon.org/home-page/free-trees-available-at-audubon-house/
https://pelicanislandaudubon.org/home-page/trees-for-life-plants-for-birds/
or call PIAS: 772-567-3520
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Instructions for PIAS Birds Need Plants Photo Contest
- Each month you can submit up to 3 photos for the Birds Need Plants Contest with emphasis on birds pursuing, consuming, using plants, or near plants and prey. To submit a photo for this month, the deadline is the last day of the month.
- A Florida bird must be pictured in your photograph (priority to action shots with or pursuing, using plant, food sources, habitat, and that demonstrate relationship to plants, insects, animals, natural foods).
- The photo must be taken in Florida.
- A photographer may submit 3 digital images per month.
- A photographer will submit only photographs that have never won an earlier award in any contest or exhibit anywhere.
- PIAS requests that you provide the highest resolution possible of your jpg digital images.
- Deadline: The last day of the month
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Email to piaudubon@yahoo.com
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Bookmark On the Calendar at WilliMiller.com for frequent updates. Calls for Artists, Auditions, & Volunteers are now online.
Catch up with events at Willi Miller's Arts Blast on Facebook and pick up some laughs and interesting info on the Willi Miller's Arts Blast Extras page. And now there's a Facebook Arts Blast on the Air!
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Use this format for Calendar entries:
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