Sharing our wealth of arts and culture. We're having an ARTS BLAST!

Make On the Calendar at WilliMiller.com a frequent stop. Calls for Artists, Auditions, & Volunteers are now online.

Please encourage friends and even friendly strangers to Like our Facebook pages and become Arts Blast subscribers!

Listen to Cultural Connection on the Air Sundays at 8 a.m. on WAXE 1370 AM and 107.9 FM and on iHeartRadio.com. Replays are now online on the Cultural Council's website.

Have you entered to win Brad Taylor's latest Pike Logan thriller yet? You have until midnight Sunday, so pick a number, any number, as long as it has only three digits, and send it in to willi@willimiller.com. *Be sure to type Brad Taylor in the subject line.

I ran into another un-updated calendar event by accident this week. When you listen to the Cultural Connection radio show Sunday, you'll hear me mention the Sebastian Art Studio Tour coming up. It turns out that the organizers had cancelled/postponed it but not sent that information to event calendars. If you were planning to go, check in with the group's website for the latest.

I hope you'll take time to read about the exhibit at the Lighthouse ArtCenter in Tequesta. Haven't been to this gem in a small town just south of Martin County yet? Here's a peek into why it's a very special place. From the website: "The ArtCenter's Honorable Chairman of the Board is the grandson of Solomon R. Guggenheim, our Board of Directors is actively involved and generous with their time and resources, our CEO spent 38 years devoted to wealth management, our curator is involved in the arts at the state and local level, our staff is made up of dedicated professionals, our patrons are generous with the loan of significant pieces from their private collections, and our community within a fifty mile radius is actively engaged with our classes, workshops, and exhibitions." 

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What's Ahead from the Arts Blast calendar web page

Janeen Mason, curator at Lighthouse ArtCenter in Tequesta and a multi-medium artist in her own right, gets almost giddy when talking about the exhibition that opened this week and continues through March 10. In her words, "I'm positively ecstatic over this show! ... (We are) honored to display evocative artworks showcasing the personal experience and cultural heritage of these artists, whose work is held in institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and others."

Included in the show are works by Nick Cave, Leonardo Drew, Ellen Gallagher, Adam Pendleton, William Kwamena-Poh, Ransome, Kara Walker, and Purvis Young. The list of artists in the exhibition "reads like the who's who of painters, sculptors, and multi-media black and brown artists in the world today," Mason said.

An Internet search for Nick Cave will introduce readers to his soundsuit sculptures. Mason explained what we can expect when we visit the gallery: "Visitors walking into Soul on Art are stunned by the installation of Nick Cave’s soundsuits at Lighthouse ArtCenter. ... Some people are familiar with this esteemed artist’s work and they are shocked that we actually have it here to show (these are acquired by the largest cultural institutions in the world). Others, who are seeing these for the first time, are shocked by the beauty and complexity of the work. The soundsuits are truly one of a kind pieces of sculptural art created by a multi-disciplinary artist." Nick Cave is not only a visual artist, but one who also danced with the Alvin Ailey company, Mason said. "While some of his pieces are stationary, some are actually worn during performances, and when they’re incorporated into dance they make sound. Hence the name. I am indebted to the generosity of Beth Rudin DeWoody, who loaned these pieces to us from her private collection." 

There is "plenty of spectacular artwork for sale," Mason said. While some of the pieces are on loan from private collections, many are available for purchase.

Take a brief tour of the exhibit on the Lighthouse website.

Gallery snapshot; Nick Cave soundsuit, hiding work by Leonardo Drew and Ellen Gallagher, with two by Adam Pendleton and one by Kara Walker in the background; Ruby Mae - Ransome, from The Quilters of Gee’s Bend series.

 Gallery goers in Vero Beach have a rare opportunity to see the work of a major artist from Melbourne through Feb. 26 at the Center for Spiritual Care.  Featured will be Spence Guerin, whom the American Academy of Arts and Letters credits with bringing the American tradition of naturalist painting “convincingly into the 21^st Century.”  The occasion for the comment was the Academy’s arts award ceremony for 2004.  

            “You need only visit Spence’s website to see what the Academy meant,” says Carol Ludwig, the Center’s executive director.  “His evocations of nature in Florida’s swamp lands are astonishing.”  The website is spenceguerin.com.

            The Center is located at 1550 24^th Street, two blocks north of the Main Library.  More information about the exhibition can be found at its website, centerforspritualcare.org.

Hoping to fill seats to keep COVID from shattering a second season, a fairly strong list of venues and organizations have made necessary changes to their way of doing business. Some opened their doors months ago, others are charging ahead in January, some have introduced virtual options to go along with the in-person performances, and it's sounding as though their efforts are being rewarded.

Diane Bowman and her four-person "bubble" said they'd be attending more shows at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild after experiencing the safety precautions in place at a recent outing.

Charlotte Snedeker said her party of four "decided that it would be safe to attend after hearing about the changes that had been implemented at the theatre: seating area reconfiguration, safe program distribution, mask wearing at all times, no contact/receiving line with cast following the performance...and, knowing Jon Putske’s attention to detail and pursuit of excellence in all he undertakes, that he and the Theatre Guild Board, employees and volunteers would go above and beyond to insure the safety of themselves, their cast and crew, and the audience! We were not wrong in our expectations."

Several audience members for Ballet Vero Beach's season opener last week sent Arts Blast feedback to share.

Tara Schweitzer, a former Rockette, now on the dance faculty at Riverside Theatre, ventured out to a live performance for the first time since the first shutdown. "It was fabulous to see live Ballet with BVB!" She felt full confidence in the safety protocols in place by Ballet Vero Beach and Vero Beach High School.

Stacey Lewis said she hadn't been to a live performance since March 2020 but she loves Ballet Vero Beach and really wanted to attend. "I read about the many precautions they were taking and bought a ticket. I decided that if I felt unsafe, I would turn around and go home." She couldn't convince friends to go with her this time. "I invited many people but they were too nervous to sit in a theater." For Lewis, limiting the size of the audience was key. "I was 6 ft. from the other patrons. Mandating masks and temp checks were important, too." She has her own guidelines for future performances. "I will not sit in a crowded auditorium for an hour or more. Producers should not sell every seat. Patrons should have ample space around them." 

Alicia Quinn, Board of Directors Chair at the Cultural Council of Indian River County, added, "Adam (Schnell) was very explicit in describing the protocols in place and, knowing Adam, I was sure every precaution would be taken to keep us safe. I trust him." She plans to attend all BVB performances this season.

Karen Wiggins at the VBHS Center for Performing Arts let us know that presenting organizations develop their own rules to go along with the PAC's guidelines, which are are few but firm: "We require that masks be worn at all times. Hand sanitizer is available for use and the seats are sanitized with a mister prior to and after performances. Capacity is limited with social distancing protocols in place." The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, performing at VBHS PAC this weekend, has a long list of guidelines for audiences posted on its website.

Nancy Johnson and her husband felt very comfortable attending the Brevard Symphony Orchestra's Christmas concert last month. "We were very reassured by the precautions that the King Center took to keep everyone safe. We thought the precautions were well thought out and quite adequate to protect the audience members. We had three seats open on either side of us, and nobody in the rows directly in front of us or directly behind us. Everyone was very cooperative in wearing their masks throughout the concert. We plan to attend all of the Brevard Symphony concerts scheduled for this Spring."

Janet Forrer said, "My husband I were pleased and impressed with the measures of safety, thought and care that was obviously implemented by the King Center to provide a clean and safe environment for all attendees. Maestro Christopher Confessore and Bethany Confessore, Personal Manager, also provided the same safe environment for the orchestra to perform."

Shakespeare's Villains - What Makes Them So Much Fun? | Feb 2nd, 5:30 pm

The Laura Riding Jackson Foundation has announced a new series of workshops for adults.

Sign up here!

For more information about these workshops and to register, please visit our website.

Community Church of Vero Beach's Wednesdays @1 - Facebook Live with Andrew Galuska will feature a studio tour with Glenda Taylor Feb. 3.

2020 wasn't kind to Beethoven and those who had planned a year-long celebration for his 250th birthday, but the Brevard Symphony Orchestra has come through for the composer with the new season.

From David Schillhammer, executive director of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra:

As the long-time host of the Cultural Council of Indian River County's Cultural Connection on the Air, I'm very happy to report that, once again and by popular demand, after the shows air Sunday mornings, they will be available on the CCIRC website for replay. Guest spots are for CCIRC arts members and are booked directly through me, not through the Cultural Council office. Members, be aware that openings are very limited and booked well ahead.

Ben Earman, CCIRC executive director, said, "The shows are another way that we help to promote the Cultural Arts in our community. Adding them to our website is one part of our full commitment to the arts and our members, providing them an added benefit of membership and allowing for a broader reach to their audiences."

Listen to Cultural Connection on the Air Sundays at 8 a.m. on WAXE 1370 AM and 107.9 FM, and on iHeartRadio.com. 

The Arts Council of Martin County is getting ready for a February ArtsFest in Stuart. This year it will look somewhat like the traditional event but there's a surprise bonus for those who aren't ready to venture out. ArtsFest Stuart at Home runs for the entire month of February. Check in at the arts council for details on attending or exhibiting.

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We have a rare opportunity to virtually meet Clyde Butcher during his virtual “Meet & Greet” on February 11 at 2 PM. We are so excited to have Eve Samples, executive director of the Friends of the Everglades, serve as our host for the hour-long talk with Clyde. Register for that session to get your link to join the conversation. Ticket proceeds are being shared with the Friends of the Everglades. Tickets are $25. 

Karibu (pronounced kah-ree-boo) means “welcome, come in” in Swahili. This celebratory concept of Black culture, not unlike the Southern tradition of Sunday dinner after church, invites everyone to embrace the journey of life and learn through the eyes and creativity of local Black artists.

In the Cultural Council's Main Gallery

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The St. Lucie Cultural Alliance is promoting artist members in an online gallery that allows for sales of their original artwork.

Exhibitions - Entry info on the website

The 24th annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival, presented by the Brevard Nature Alliance, goes virtual this year Jan. 29-31. For information call 321-268-5224 - www.scbwf.org

Brevard Cultural Alliance and weVENTURE Women's Business Center in the Florida Tech Bisk College of Business invite artists, cultural administrators and business owners within the arts and cultural community to a virtual town hall entitled “Navigating Next: Understanding the Challenges and Exploring Solutions for the Cultural Community” February 25 at 3 p.m.

Philip Haas: The Four Seasons 

​Through Jan. 30 - Fabulous Foursome at Gallery 14, Vero Beach

Through Jan. 31 - Leslie Stokes' exhibit at Center for Spiritual Care

Through May 2 - Poetry of Nature: Hudson River School Landscapes from the NY Historical Society at Vero Beach Museum of Art.

Jan. 29-30 - Live in the Loop and the Comedy Zone Experience at Riverside Theatre

Jan. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Sebastian River Art Club's Art By the River at Riverview Park, Sebastian, supporting local food bank and/or SRAC scholarship fund.

Jan. 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Vero Beach Art Club’s Art in the Park at Humiston Park,

Jan. 31, 3 p.m. - Sea Pictures - Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center

Feb. 3, 1 p.m. - Studio Tour with Glenda Taylor on Wednesdays @1 Facebook Live with Andrew Galuska, Community Church of Vero Beach

CANCELLED! Feb. 4, 7 p.m. - Classic Albums Live Performs Brother’s Again - The Music of the Allman Brothers at the Emerson Center, Vero Beach

Feb. 5, 2021, 5-8 p.m. - First Friday Gallery Stroll on and around 14th Avenue in the historic Downtown Arts District in Vero Beach.

Feb. 5 - Spence Guerin exhibit opens at Center for Spiritual Care

Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 6-7 - Brevard Renaissance Fair

Through Jan. 30 - West Coast-East Coast exhibit at Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, 1470 Highland Ave., Melbourne. Metal sculptural art by Walt Mendenhall. 

Through Jan. 31 - Sunrise Sunset members' exhibition at Strawbridge Art League, MLB

​Through Jan. 31 - GODSPELL at the Henegar

Through Feb. 5 -Northern Brevard Art League's Winners Showcase at The Downtown Art Gallery, Titusville.

Through Feb. 7 - Ghost, the Musical at Titusville Playhouse

Through Feb. 21 - Educating Rita at Melbourne Civic Theatre

Through Feb. 27 - Robot Love V at Foosaner Art Museum

Jan. 30, 7 p.m. - Sea Pictures - Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at Satellite High School Performing Arts Center

Feb. 1-April 30 - The Aquarium Art Walk entries on display throughout Brevard County.

Feb. 6, 2&7:30 p.m. - Brevard Symphony Orchestra The Belle of Broadway at the King Center.

Feb. 6-7 - Central Brevard Rock & Gem Club's show and sale at Kiwanis Island Recreation Center, Merritt Island

Through Jan. 30 - Wed.-Sat., 12-6 p.m. - Martin Artisans Guild's January Exhibition at The Palm Room, Harbour Bay Plaza, Sewall's Point.

Through Jan. 31 - A Chorus Line at The Barn Theatre

Through March 13 - Clyde Butcher: America's Everglades at Court House Cultural Center Galleries, Stuart

Through May 31 - The Lure of Florida Fishing at the Elliott Museum.

Feb. 2, 5:30 - Cultural Conversations: Shakespeare's Villains - What Makes Them So Much Fun? - Arts Council of MC - Free, virtual

Feb. 3 - Opening reception for the Martin Artisans Guild's February exhibition at the Palm Room, Harbour Bay Plaza, Sewall's Point.

Feb. 6-7 - Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts

Through Jan. 31 - Calendar Girls at Pineapple Playhouse, Fort Pierce.

​Through Feb. 8 - Ginny Piech Street's Birds and Blossoms at Seriously Mixed Media.

Through March 7 - Right of Way: The Highwaymen at Backus Museum

Jan. 29 - Deadline to apply for Alliance Gallery in downtown Fort Pierce exhibition

Feb. 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Opening reception for for the Port St. Lucie Arts League Member Art Exhibition at MIDFLORIDA Event Center Gallery, 9221 Southeast Event Center Place, PSL. Safe distancing practices and masks are required

Feb. 4-7 - Farm to Grass Music Festival, 4575 Minute Maid Rd., Fort Pierce

Feb. 4-March 14 - Port St. Lucie Arts Leaguepslartsleague.org Member Art Exhibition at MIDFLORIDA Event Center Gallery, 9221 Southeast Event Center Place, PSL. Safe distancing practices and masks are required

Feb. 6, 9 a.m. - Peacock Arts & Crafts Fair at Cool Beans Brew, FP

Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m. - Maurice Frank & Trio @Locanda Rustica, Tequesta

Through Mar. 10 - Soul on Art: Ghosts of Africa at Lighthouse ArtCenter

Through Mar. 20 - Radical Jewelry Makeover at Lighthouse ArtCenter

Through Jan. 30 - Painting With Light: Hyper-realistic Photographs by Matt Stock at PB Photographic Centre

Through Feb. 6 - Stephania Conrad: @ Sanders Foundation Artist Resource Ctr

Feb. 5-June 13 - Celebrating the Norton: Eighty Years at Norton Museum of Art.

Through Jan. 30 - Bringing Home the Herd at Mad Cow Theatre

Through Feb. 27 - Forgotten Florida: Teen Photos at Immokalee Pioneer Museum.

Through March 27 - Skin Deep: Seminole Culture at Collier Museum

Through April 16 - Requiem for Steam: The Railroad Photography of David Plowden at Naples Depot Museum.

Through April 22 - Twice monthly - Stories of a Sportsmen's Paradise: A Florida Folk Art Experience at Museum of the Everglades. colliermuseums.com

Through April 19 - Forgotten Florida: Photos from the Farm Security Administration at Immokalee Pioneer Museum.

Jan. 28, 6 p.m. - Why is THAT Famous?!? Facebook Live & Zoom from Polk Museum of Art 

Jan. 29, 6 p.m. - Movies at the Museum: Wind Across the Everglades at Museum of the Everglades

Jan 30 & Monthly, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - History on the Go! at Naples Depot Museum

​Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m. - The Percussion Collective on YouTube Live! from Frost School of Music

Jan. 31, 2-4 p.m. - Family Day: Portraiture - at The Bass

Feb. 2 - Art History Lecture Series at Polk Museum of Art

Feb. 4 & monthly, 4:30 p.m. - Railroding's Finest Hour: Walking Through History at the Naples Depot Museum

Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m. - Victorian Valentines at Henry B. Plant Museum

Even smaIl operations need to keep their financial house in order. Image First can record deposits, write checks, pay taxes, and provide reports in Quickbooks. Artists, spend more time in your studio and less on paperwork. Let’s talk, free consultation. Image First, 772-538-4148.

Brandon Putzke's TC Percussion and TC Percussion Camp

Stephanie Hermesmeyer - Solivia Piano Studio for Kids

Send comments to willi@willimiller.com.

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Like Willi Miller's Arts Blast Facebook page for updates and Willi Miller's Arts Blast Extras for interesting, inspiring, and fun shared posts, then go to willimiller.com to catch up on every issue of Arts Blast, and see the latest ON THE CALENDAR listings.

As always, For Helen Miller 

Information is to be received in an email at least one week before publication.

In the body of the listing, sometimes called Description, make sure to include all dates in each upload. For example: Performances are on March 12-31; or the exhibit is open March 12, 14, 15, and 17. That information should be in all dates you post individually.

If you are a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, you need this information:

IMPORTANT: In order to promote your events as a member of the Cultural Council, you must enter your event on the CCIRC calendar via this link: https://www.calendarwiz.com/culturalcouncil and click on "Submit your event"