Are you up for a challenge? Whether or not taking in or creating beauty showed up on your new year’s resolutions list, this is a worthy endeavor. The Collaborative highly values the arts because it evokes something in us that moves us towards the good. Music can stir the soul, a painting can evoke wonder, and theatre can inspire us. At the root of art, we experience the created which should always point us to the Master Creator, the one who spoke into existence the lushness of the Garden and universe we inhabit. Picasso put it like this,
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
We need art. We need art to remind us of the grandeur of gifts that people possess, to remind us that our imaginations need to be stoked, and to remind us that beauty helps recalibrate our being.
Here is the challenge: intentionally take in and/or create some kind of artistic expression on two separate occasions between now and April 30. This could take the form of a date night, a fun family outing, a lunch break, etc. For those of us who live in the greater Orlando area, we are incredibly fortunate to have an active artistic community among us providing numerous opportunities to meet this art challenge.
Often, I have the desire to partake of the arts, but the difficulty comes in getting it on my calendar. Laziness may be the main culprit, but other times it is my schedule that seems to crowd out these kinds of events. In case you struggle with this also, below are links and a list of some of the art offerings our communities provide. So pull out your calendar and start clicking to schedule your own adventures in art.
Please stay in touch and let us know what you do via FaceBook and/or Twitter.
Local Art Options
Dr. Phillips Center Morse Museum
Blue Bamboo Art Shows/Festival
The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, located in Winter Park, is hosting an exhibition entitled The Lay of the Land: Art of the Florida Cattle Culture. The Polasek is a living museum, with outdoor gardens dating to 1949. The three-acre garden is a pastoral oasis within the City of Winter Park. In 2000, Polasek was named a “Great Floridian” by the state of Florida, a distinction that recognizes those who make significant contributions to the history and culture of the state and in 2004 Albin Polasek was introduced into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.
This is a true integrated art hotel experience. The Alfond is home to an extensive collection of contemporary art with a point of view and a lesson in the art of our times. Make it a full experience by enjoying dinner at Hamilton’s Kitchen, or savoring a glass of wine at their artsy bar followed by a stroll of the grounds. Your Patronage supports scholarships for students to attend Rollins College, one of the nation’s premier liberal arts institutions. Happy Hour Tours are available on the 1st Wednesday of every month and be sure to enjoy the jazz concerts that take place on the lawn. It should be noted, this hotel is also dog friendly…so bring your four-legged friend with you!
Founded in 1924, the Orlando Museum of Art is a leading cultural institution in the region. Offering a compelling art experience often connecting people with art and new ideas. OMA has an array of offerings. Two are highlighted here that you may be of interest: First Thursdays featuring local artists, listen to live music and mingle with an eclectic mix of people. Art’s the Spark gives those living with memory impairment, or any other neurological impairment, an expressive outlet and fun experience. Art’s the Spark is based on a similar program at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and is the only one of its kind in Central Florida.
Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes)
This theater creates extraordinary experiences for children and adults. In partnership with UCF, Orlando Shakespeare produces ten plays every season. Some of the upcoming productions include Jack in the Beanstalk, The Little Mermaid and Hamlet. This theater is perfect for a family night, date night, or a girls night out!
The Best 10 Art Classes in Orlando (according to Yelp)
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WHAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT
EVENT: Feb 17 Heart of the City Lecture Series with Eric Metaxas
EVENT: Mar 15-17 Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival
GOTHAM: Fall 2019 Interested? Please contact Crosland at crosland@collaborativeorlando.com
We Are Social:
Photo by Art by Lønfeldt on Unsplash
