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WINTER PARK, FL February 1, 2012 Fourth Annual Winter Park Paint Out This Spring
The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens hosts the Fourth Annual Winter Park Paint Out during the last week of April 2012. Twenty-six of the finest “plein air” artists will be painting throughout Winter Park capturing local landscapes and landmarks with oils, watercolors and pastels. The public is invited to stop by the museum and gardens all week long to see recently completed works, watch artists painting in the gardens, and to attend free painting demonstrations. Artwork produced during the Paint Out will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to support the preservation, maintenance and operation of the museum and gardens. Plein air, a French term meaning “in the open air,” describes artworks painted outdoors with the subject directly in view, rather than being created in a studio. Plein air artists capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color and movement into their works. The Paint Out concludes with a special ticketed evening event — The Paint Out Garden Party, which takes place Saturday April 28, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. All artists will be present and patrons are able to discuss and purchase their works. Tickets for The Paint Out Garden Party are available through the Polasek Museum. They are priced $45 in advance, $60 at the door. Be sure to purchase your tickets soon. Space is limited and the event has reached capacity each year. Call the museum at (407) 647‑6294 for additional information or visit the paint out web site at www.winterparkpaintout.org for a complete schedule of events. The event has a rewarding program for patrons and sponsors. Please visit the website for more information on how to participate as well as for details on how to follow the event on Facebook and Twitter.
2012 Schedule of Events
Gallery and Gardens Open Daily
Open House — Free to the Public All Week
Sunday April 22 through Sunday April 29
Sunday April 22 — 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM
Monday April 23 to Friday April 27 — 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM
Saturday April 28 — 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon
Sunday April 29 — 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM
Artists paint in the Polasek’s sculpture gardens and at other locations throughout Winter Park. Works will be on display and for sale as soon as they are completed and dropped off at the museum’s wet room. Stop by to see and purchase works produced during this year’s Winter Park Paint Out!
Free Painting Demonstrations
Monday, April 23
10:00 to 12:00 Noon
Morgan Samuel Price, Oil Painting Demonstration
Natural Light in Plein Air Painting – Morgan discusses the importance of light in plein air painting and demonstrates techniques for capturing various lighting effects on canvas.
Tuesday, April 24
10:00 to 12:00 Noon
Tim Malles, Oil Painting Demonstration
Painting the Nocturne — Tim shares his methods for painting a night scene in the broad daylight. Learn how to convert daylight to moonlight and create a successful nocturne. You will also learn insights into astronomy and observing and working on a landscape under a dark sky.
Wednesday, April 25
10:00 to 12:00 Noon
Stewart Jones, Watercolor Demonstration
Watercolor En Plein Air — Stewart shows how to capture nature in all of its three-dimensional glory in watercolors. He will show you how to see nature and focus on the essential elements and eliminate the unnecessary obstructions. This will be a direct approach painting en plein air with watercolors.
Thursday, April 26
10:00 to 12:00 Noon
Bill Farnsworth, Oil Painting Demonstration
Integrating Figures into the Landscape — Bill shares his knowledge about figurative painting using a model in a natural setting.
Friday, April 27
10:00 to 12:00 Noon
Harold Frontz, Oil Painting Demonstration
Painting En Plein Air Overview — Harold shares tips with the audience on how to analyze and resolve the challenges encountered when painting outdoors. Questions are encouraged.
Other Special Events:
Wednesday April 25 — 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Sunset Painting
The public is invited to come by as Paint Out Artists gather on the shore of Lake Killarney at Hillstone Restaurant (formerly Houston’s). There we’ll capture a beautiful Florida sunset, then take a break from the week’s activities. Come share the vista with us and watch as these outstanding artists create a sunset memory on canvas. Hillstone is located at 215 S. Orlando Avenue in Winter Park. Call (407) 740 4005 to reserve a table for this special night.
Saturday April 28 — 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Paint Out Garden Party: A Plein Air Celebration!
Join us for a special night “en plein air” at the Polasek Museum. We’ll be celebrating the masterful works of Florida’s finest artists as we bring the 2012 Winter Park Paint Out to a close. Meet the artists from this year’s event and see the entire exhibition. Tickets are $45.00 in advance, and $60.00 at the door. Parking is limited. This event has SOLD OUT the last three years, do not miss! For ticket information, please contact the Polasek Museum at (407) 647 6294.
Sunday, April 29 — 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Open House: The Sunday afternoon Open House marks the final day of the 2012 Winter Park Paint Out. This is your LAST CHANCE to view the paintings on display and to make a purchase. The Polasek Museum will be open to the public free of charge. Hurry in and pick out your favorite!
2012 Winter Park Paint Out Participating Artists
Please visit our online artist directory at www.winterparkpaintout.org. for more information about artists, including photographs and samples of work.
Stephen Bach– Orlando, FL; Jane Chapin– St. Petersburg, FL; Kathy Chenet– Longwood, FL; Hiu Lai Chong– Maryland; Jessie Cook– Palm Coast, FL; Priscilla Coote– Naples, FL; Matthew Cornell– Orlando, FL; Katie Dobson Cundiff– Bradenton, FL ; Charles Dickinson– St. Augustine, FL ; Bill Farnsworth– Venice, FL; Elisabeth Ferber– Orlando, FL; Harold Fronz– Lexington, NC; Elaine Hahn– Holiday, FL; Brenda Hofreiter– Winter Park, FL; Stewart Jones– Orlando, FL; Tim Malles– Gainesville, FL; Nikolay Mikushkin– Syracuse, NY; Larry Moore– Winter Park, FL; Barbara Perrotti– Ormond Beach, FL; Robert Ross– Altamonte Springs, FL; Gary Rupp– Orlando, FL; Tom Sadler– Winter Park, FL; Morgan Samuel Price– Orlando, FL; Don Sondag– Maitland, FL; Mary Jane Volkmann– Gainesville, FL ; Lynn Whipple– Winter Park, FL.
WINTER PARK, FL October 26, 2011 — The 8th annual Winter Park Holiday Boat Parade — Rain or shine, the 2011 parade will take place December 10th on Lakes Virginia and Osceola. The Winter Park Boat Parade and Festival of Lights is a fun, community-wide water parade with holiday-themed and lighted boats along the lakes’ shorelines. The Rotary Club of Winter Park will host this fundraiser to benefit local non-profits, with food, wine and beer available for purchase. Admission to The Polasek Gardens for the Parade is FREE. Limited onsite parking will begin at 4:30 p.m. in The Polasek Gardens for a $5 donation.
Event Schedule December 10th:
3:30 – 4:30 pm: Water ski show will be on Lake Virginia with viewing on the Rollins College campus by the Jump Ramp in front of the Campus Student Center/Swimming Pool. The area’s leading water skiers will be performing a one-hour ski show to music. Over two dozen professional skiers will be pulled by Southeast MasterCraft boats performing routines featuring jumps, multiple skiers’ acts, barefoot, wake boards, and high-performance equipment.
5 pm: Festivities will kick off at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. Food, wine and beer, holiday music and a visit from Santa will bring the holiday spirit of the season to life. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, friends and family to the Polasek to enjoy a Winter Park holiday tradition. Dinky Dock (off Fairbanks Avenue) is another public viewing area for the parade beginning at sundown.
Sundown 5:45 pm: The parade will begin on east shore of Lake Virginia in front of Windsong and proceed clockwise around the shores of Lake Virginia, then proceed through the Palm Canal to Lake Osceola. Boat parade passes in front of judges at Albin Polasek Museum & Gardens and tours around Lake Osceola.
Organizers of the event are seeking resident and business boat entries. For resident boats, there is no entry fee, and all local licensed area boat owners are invited to participate. Boat registration is required with applications available at www.wpboatparade.com or call 407 – 647-6492.
Key Sponsors: Southeast MasterCraft, Fannie Hillman & Associates, The Rotary Club of Winter Park, Scenic Boat Tours of Winter Park, The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, Winter Park Memorial Hospital, City of Winter Park Lakes and Waterways Department.
Note To Media:
Images are available to media.
Please contact Bena Greene winterparkboatparade@polasek.org or call 407 – 647-6294.
WINTER PARK, FL September 16, 2011 — The traditional day of Czech Independence will be celebrated with free admission to the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens on Friday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum founder Albin Polasek was born and raised in the province of Moravia, in what is now the Czech Republic.
The historic Polasek residence and chapel will be open as well as the gallery currently exhibiting Darker Shades of Red: Soviet Propaganda from the Cold War. This special exhibit runs through January 8, 2012. Darker Shades of Red provides a rare opportunity to revisit the Cold War period through the exploration of the Soviet Union’s official imagery. The collection reveals the economic, social and political ideology of the Soviet Union from the mid 1940s to 1990 through striking poster graphics and Soviet ephemera.
Hand-crafted jewelry made in the Czech Republic by “Zivot” and fine Czech gifts by “Heart of Europe” will be available in the museum gift shop.
The Republic of Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918 after centuries of rule under the Hapsburg dynasty. Czech professor Thomas Masaryk, Slovak scientist Milan Stefanik and Czech sociologist Edward Benes proclaimed independence for Czechoslovakia on October 18, 1918 while in Washington, D.C. Ten days later, October 28, 1918, the Sovereign Republic of Czechoslovakia was founded in Prague and Masaryk was elected president.
In July 1992, Slovakia declared its sovereignty and on January 1, 1993 Czechoslovakia officially split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The traditional date of Czechoslovakian independence, October 28, is still acknowledged in both countries.
Note To Media: Images are available to media. Please contact Debbie Komanski, Executive Director, 407 – 647-6294, DKomanski@polasek.org.
WINTER PARK, September 14, 2011 –The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens is pleased to announce that David McLeod has accepted the position of Co-Chair for the Fourth Annual Winter Park Paint Out event that will be held the last week of April 2012. Mr. McLeod will share the chair position with Mr. Hal Stringer, founding Co-Chair of the Winter Park Paint Out Event.
Mr. McLeod, a Winter Park resident, has extensive experience in the Central Florida Art Community. Mr. McLeod served as the Treasurer and Board Chair for Crealde School of Art over a consecutive 8 year period. He also sat on the gallery committee for Crealde School of Art for 7 years.
The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens is also pleased to announce the Artist Selection Panel Members for the Fourth Annual Winter Park Paint Out event which will be held April 22 – 28, 2012. The Artist Selection Panel Members are:
Terry Olson, Chair, Arts & Cultural Director for Orange County for the past 10 years and founder of many area arts groups and events.
Arthur Blumenthal, International museum consultant, Renaissance scholar and director emeritus of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College in Winter Park.
Claudio Menzertolo, Owner of Nitesol, a studio– based company that specializes in the design, fabrication, and installation of large-format prints and signage.
Douglas Nesbitt, Internationally acclaimed commercial and fine art photographer who serves on the Board of Trustees, and Chairs the Exhibition Committee, for the Albin Polasek Museum.
Francine Newberg, Art collector, Co-Chair of the Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board and Project Development for Albertson Art Consultants.
Carla Poindexter, Associate Professor of Art (Painting, Drawing and Design) at the University of Central Florida and an active fine artist working in multiple disciplines.
Note to Media: Images are available to media. Please contact Debbie Komanski
Contacts: Debbie Komanski, Executive Director, 407 – 647-6294, DKomanski@polasek.org.
The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens receives $90,000 grant from The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation to develop the organization’s fundraising capacity
WINTER PARK, FL September 9, 2011 – The board of directors of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation awarded a grant of up to $90,000 to the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens so the museum can hire its first full-time director of development. The two-year grant covers 100% of a development director’s salary for the first year and 50 percent for the second. As part of the grant award the museum’s board of trustees was issued a challenge. In order to receive the second year’s award, the trustees must raise the equivalent of $30,000. “A grant of this size is a tremendous honor,” said Jere Daniels, Jr., Chairman of the museum’s board of trustees. “It also comes with tremendous responsibility and I’m confident our trustees are prepared to meet that challenge.” Both the grant award and the challenge to raise matching funds are consistent with the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation’s mission to “create innovative civic solutions helping people help themselves.” Rather than simply making an award and waiting for a progress report, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation prefers to take a more innovative approach. Grants routinely include challenges to stimulate board members into improving their fundraising skill. The Foundation understands that when board members become better at acquiring and cultivating donors, it generates the financial resources necessary to accomplish strategic goals. When an organization routinely accomplishes its goals, it becomes sustainable. For the Polasek Museum, sustainability means being around another 100 years to inspire an entirely new generation through Polasek’s masterpieces.
“The Polasek Museum represents a great sculptor who honored his Czech heritage while embracing the American dream and becoming a US citizen,” said David Odahowski, president and chief executive officer of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation. “His pursuit of beauty can be seen in his work and in the location he chose to build his retirement home. The residents of Winter Park and Central Florida are fortunate to have such a valuable cultural institution in their midst and the foundation is pleased to be contributing to its long-term sustainability.”
Debbie Komanski, the Polasek’s executive director said hiring the first professional development director is a vital step in the growth of the museum. A full-time employee working tirelessly to cultivate individuals, corporations and foundations increases dramatically the likelihood the museum will achieve its vision for the future. With the Polasek board having launched its matching grant campaign to raise $30,000 and the executive director actively accepting resumes to locate the right person to become the first development director, it is fair to say that the grant is already having the desired outcome by helping the Polasek to help itself.
About the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation www.edythbush.org
The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation was created in 1973. Since then, it has been enriched by the Richard J. Conlee Fund and the H. Clifford Lee Fund. To date, the Foundation has issued nearly 3,000 grants to more than 400 organizations throughout the state, but primarily in Central Florida, totaling more than $95 million. Though it does not actively solicit outside donations, the Foundation will work with philanthropists to achieve their charitable goals. Board members are Gerald F. Hilbrich, Chairman; Herbert W. Holm, Vice Chairman; Matthew W. Certo; Deborah C. German, M.D.; David A. Odahowski and Richard J. Walsh.
Hal Stringer Receives “The Sower Award”
WINTER PARK, FL July 29, 2011 – On July 21, 2011 Hal Stringer received the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens’ first “The Sower Award.” The Board of Trustees has presented Hal Stringer, founding chairman of the Winter Park Paint Out, with The Sower Award for his exceptional service to The Polasek. The Sower Award, based upon Albin Polasek’s 1911 sculpture of the same name, is a prime example of Polasek’s mastery of the human form. The dramatically modeled figure of the Sower has a classically inspired face and a strong, muscular body. Using as his inspiration the parable of Jesus about the sower – “a sower went forth to sow” – Polasek’s interpretation shows a man scattering the seed of good throughout the world. The Sower won an Honorable Mention in the spring 1913 Paris Salon. Hal Stringer established the Island Fine Art Crescent Beach Paint Out and has organized and managed it since 2005. In 2008 Stringer was named the founding co-chair of the Winter Park Paint Out by The Polasek. The annual event features over two dozen of Florida’s finest plein air artists, who roam across our fair city capturing many of your favorite landscapes and land¬marks with oils, watercolors and pastels. Plein Air — a French term meaning “in the open air” — describes art works painted outdoors with the subject directly in view rather than in a studio. Plein air artists capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color and movement into their works. Mr. Stringer is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Business Administration and earned his Master’s in Computer Science from the University of Central Florida in 2007. Stringer currently works as the IT Director for Technologies Management, Inc., a telecommunications regulatory consulting firm in Maitland, FL.
Soviet Propaganda will invade The Polasek Museum
September 27, 2011– January 8, 2012
WINTER PARK, FL July 20, 2011 – Darker Shades of Red provides a rare opportunity to revisit the Cold War era through the exploration of the Soviet Union’s official imagery. Strikingly graphic in its socialist imagery, the collection of posters and assorted ephemera reveals the economic, social and political ideology of the Soviet Union from the 1940s to 1991. Darker Shades of Red: Soviet Propaganda from the Cold War will open on September 27th at the Albin Polasek Museum. When the Russian Revolution first began to take shape at the end of the 19th century, religious icons were already a well-established part of daily life. Since Russia’s conversion to Christianity in 988 AD, icons were believed by both the rich and poor alike to provide access to God, like “windows into heaven.” The communist leaders recognized these images as a powerful tool; so, they adapted them to create “gods” and heroes for the new world they envisioned themselves building. After World War I, the Revolution and the following civil war had crippled Russia, leaders realized that it would be necessary to enlist the strong support of the people to achieve rebuilding efforts and the restructuring of society. However, since religion and religious images were deemed incompatible with revolutionary thinking they were quickly eliminated and replaced with the new iconography– that of the Communist Party. From the time of the Bolshevik Revolution and after, the poster was used a persuasive source of Soviet ideology. Leaders placed a high priority on communicating the ideas of revolution, socialism and social responsibility to its citizenry. Posters were used to shape and direct mass consciousness in accordance with Communist Party objectives. Symbolic images of Soviet leaders, soldiers, workers, and peasants were common heroic motifs. Images of machinery symbolized productivity in industry and farming while locomotives, sputniks and rockets suggested progress and achievement. This patriotic information was communicated to the public through dynamic compositions that combined figures with text (often poetry) and geometric blocks of color. Post World War II tensions between the Soviet Union and the West led to the beginning of the Cold War era. Fear of nuclear proliferation and anti-west sentiments were often reflected in Soviet posters during the decades that followed. Civil defense posters illustrated how to prepare for a nuclear attack. Caricatures of American and British leaders depicted the West and its political structure as the enemy of the Soviet people.
Propaganda images also filtered down into the homes and daily lives of people. All schools, shops, factories, apartment buildings and public spaces were splashed with Soviet images. In this closed society, there were no competing images; people were exposed only to what was seen as fulfilling the goals of the Party. Common objects such as postcards and even children’s books had to reinforce Communist objectives. By looking at these official images, we are given an insider’s perspective into life in a totalitarian society.
The pieces on exhibit are drawn from the private collection of Gary Hollingsworth, an Orlando-based art restorer who traveled extensively in the former Soviet Union.
Celebrating Sculpture during the 50th Anniversary Year of the Albin Polasek Museum
WINTER PARK, FL May 18, 2011- The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens is celebrating sculpture during its 50th anniversary year. To better serve the community, the Museum will now be open during the summer to provide year-round enjoyment for the first time in the Museum’s fifty year history. In honor of Albin Polasek, two sculpture exhibitions by contemporary artists will be held to highlight Florida sculptors and their creative talents in this medium. “Two Generations: Two Visions” and “Figure and Form: A Showcase of Florida Sculptors” (concurrently with “The Red Chair Visits Orange County Public Art”) will run back to back beginning in May through September.
First Juried Sculpture Exhibition at the Polasek Museum
Exhibit to take place in summer of 2011
WINTER PARK, FL May 4, 2011 – The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens will hold its much anticipated sculpture exhibition, Figure and Form: A Showcase of Florida Sculptors from July 19, 2011 through September 18, 2011. This exhibition is also being held to commemorate the Museum’s 50th anniversary year and in honor of the legacy of the internationally renowned sculptor Albin Polasek. This is the first juried sculpture exhibition showcasing high-quality works by Florida sculptors to be shown at the Polasek Museum in support of its mission to promote representational art. A juried selection committee chose twenty works by the following seventeen artists to be featured in Figure and Form: Cheryl Bogdanowitsch, Shawn McCurdy, Doug Bringle, Victoria Nanos, Louise Buhrmann, Nan Reinking, Mindy Colton, Kirk Vaughn-Robinson, David Cumbie, Henry Sinn, Marsha DeBroske, Katty Smith, Peter Forster, Dean Stuart Warren, Daryl Golden, Amy Wieck, Patricia Lancaster.
“Two Generations: Two Visions,” a father and son exhibition
WINTER PARK,FL March 28, 2011- Artists Arthur and Samuel Jones (a father and son respectively) share the same bloodline, the same history and the same artistic spirit. Their approaches to art, which are distinctly different, are highlighted in their first-ever dual exhibit featuring Arthur Jones’ wood sculptures and Samuel Jones’ paintings and mixed media works. In addition to their respective approaches to art, a few of the works by each artist will echo in some important way its counterpart in the other’s work. The exhibition will be on display at the Albin Polasek Museum from May 17 through July 10, 2011. It is the museum’s first summer exhibition since opening year-round to visitors beginning this year, the 50th anniversary of the museum. Arthur has been exhibiting his works in museums and galleries throughout the United States including the cities of Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and New York since 1997. Jones’ sculptures are in the permanent collections of The Detroit Institute of Art, Mobile Museum of Art, Maitland Art Center, and the City of Orlando. His sculptures have been featured in woodworking magazines such as American Woodturner, Turning Points, Craft Arts International and Woodwork. Images and commentary on his work appear in several books that examine the emerging significance of wood as a medium for artistic expression. When describing his art, Arthur reflects, “Much of my sculptural woodwork is an expression of personal interests, especially in sea life, cosmology, and fossil material; a specific design strategy; and stories that emerge early in the creation of a piece which tell me what I need to do. The body of work that emerges from this process reflects an aesthetic that values lightness and fragility; the appearance of movement in a static object; a lyrical and sensuous tone; and an expressed energy in the sculpture.” Samuel Jones, Arthur’s son, is a mixed media artist currently living in Houston, Texas. According to Samuel, “My work reflects a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery. From a very early age I enjoyed the excitement of the search, and was the eternal optimist, always sure the next handful of dirt would have inside an arrowhead or a gold nugget.” “Now I am drawn towards taking a more cathartic approach in my explorations. Using a variety of media, my artwork still reflects that same love of searching. However, it also explores the artifacts of the human condition, and recognizes that there can be magic in the mundane and excitement in an otherwise ordinary and routine life … in addition to the magic in the next handful of dirt.”
“The Red Chair Visits Orange County Public Art” Exhibition at the Polasek Museum
WINTER PARK,FL February 7, 2011- Photographs by twenty-eight local artists are featured in “The Red Chair Visits Orange County Public Art” on display from July 19 to September 18, 2011. In June 2010, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Director, Terry Olson issued an invitation to area photographers to choose a piece of Orange County public art to incorporate into a photograph of their own artistic interpretation. The photograph also had to include a small red chair within the composition. The chair is not only symbolic of arts audiences but is also representative of the Red Chair Project, the area’s cultural information portal (www.redchairproject.com).
The Red Chair Project is a public service designed to increase participation in the Orlando/Central Florida arts and cultural community by building awareness. It is a nonprofit organization that provides methods to increase ticket sales, increase arts education opportunities and promote arts and cultural philanthropy in Central Florida. This exhibition was made possible through the Orange County Public Art Review Board, whose members personally donated the necessary funds to purchase the entire collection of photographs for Orange County. The collection is available on loan to local venues and has been exhibited at the Orange County Administration Center and Orlando City Hall. With multiple local exhibitions, it is the hope of Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs to bring awareness to as many Orange County residents as possible of the artistic treasures in our area. The following photographers are featured: Doug Bloodworth, Cherie Boyce, Nancy Jo Brown, Andrea Canny, Chris Casler, Pam Daum, Mark Englert, Carolyn Hutchins, Gil Ihrig, Meg King, Tammy Krivinek, Shelly Lake, Rick Lang, Joanelle Mulrain, Douglas Nesbitt, Terry Olson, Rob Phillips, Carla Poindexter, Todd Ruopp, Deb Sandidge, Peter Schreyer, Randall Smith, Bonnie Sprung, Ashland Thomas, Gustavo Vargas, Steve Vaughn, David Wegman, Chip Weston. The photographs are viewable at www.ocfl.net/redchairpublicart
WINTER PARK, FL January 17, 2011 — The Albin Polasek Foundation, Inc. announces the appointment of three trustees. Paula Zahn, Executive Vice President, First National Bank of Central Florida Paula Zahn is a veteran banker of Central Florida and a dedicated community leader. Ms. Zahn’s community leadership positions include past President of the Clermont Kiwanis and past President of the South Lake Hospital District Board of Trustees. She is currently a member of the Windermere Rotary Club and the Leadership Winter Park Alumni Council. Ms. Zahn was recognized as the 1999 Volunteer of the Year by the Metro Orlando Economic Development Council.
Regis A. Simasek, President, Principal, Owner of R. A. Simasek, P.A. Mr. Simasek, a licensed CPA, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 – 1967 where he reached the rank of Captain. In 1967 he joined the national accounting firm of Ernst & Ernst (now Ernst & Young) where for eight years he served as Supervisor. In 1975, Mr. Simasek formed Amort & Simasek, P.A. and in 2002 he formed R.A. Simasek, P.A. Over the years he has volunteered with various not-for-profit organizations and he is currently serving as Treasurer of the Central Florida Kidney Centers.
Douglas Nesbitt, Professional Photographer Crossing all photographic boundaries, Mr. Nesbitt’s images are found in advertising, architecture, portraiture, fine art and photo journalism. A photography/journalism major at Los Angeles City College, he began his professional career as a production still photographer for Norman Lear Productions and Trump Films. In 1982 Nesbitt was commissioned by Warner Brothers to document the original set-designs for Ridley Scott’s sci-fi epic “Blade Runner.” Over his 30– year career, Nesbitt has photographed such notables as George Carlin, Joan Rivers, Helen Hays, Evander Holyfield, Henry Miller, Kim Alexis, Beverly Johnson and music legend Bo Diddley. Nesbitt was also the campaign photographer for Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign.
(Winter Park, FL) November 8, 2010- “Turn on the Light: Plein Air Paintings by Morgan Samuel Price” will open on November 23rd at the Albin Polasek Museum with much anticipation from Winter Park Paint Out fans in the Central Florida area. Price has participated in the past two Paint Out events held at the Polasek Museum and her work will now be featured in an exhibition highlighting her works held in private collections and museums. Over 30 works in oil dating from the 1980s to the present are being loaned from collectors throughout Florida and the United States and depict scenes inspired by Price’s travels. According to the artist, “Painting is a mission driven by fascination. As the discoveries reveal themselves, I continue to explore other paths of adventure. It is true that the artist needs two exceptional features: one is definitely tenacity and the other is audacity.”
Plein Air- a French term meaning “in the open air”- describes artwork painted outdoors with the subject directly in view rather than being painted in a studio or from a photograph. Plein air artists such as Price depict the spirit of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color and movement into their works. Price’s masterful technique and love of paint allow her to capture the fleeting moments of light and shadow cast by the moving sun. Whether it is depicting friends strolling down a shady avenue or the sparkle of light from a river’s edge, there is a simultaneous subtlety and boldness in her work. According to Price, “The most interesting discovery to any artist is the realization that what is simple is not obvious; finding the simplest statement to convey a message requires hours of observation in nature and thought.” Since the 1970s Price has consistently been an award-winning artist and has participated in numerous national exhibitions throughout her artistic career including the Salmagundi Club, Allied Artists, Pastel Society, American Artist Professional League in New York City, Knickerbocker Artists New York and the Copley Society in Boston. An artist as well as an educator, Price has created educational DVDs and written books to instruct students in understanding color, value, light and design. Following the success of her first book Oil Painting with a Basic Palette (Northlight Books, 1999) Price published a second book in 2008 about her technique titled Turn on the Light: A Touchstone to Plein Air Painting. Price is represented by galleries throughout the United States and travels extensively throughout the year to provide art workshops to students of plein air painting. “Turn on the Light” will run through January 23, 2011. For more information about Price please visit her website at www.MorganSamuelPrice.com.
WINTER PARK, October 13, 2010 — The traditional day of Czech Independence will be celebrated with free admission to the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens on Thursday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum founder Albin Polasek was born and raised in the province of Moravia, in what is now the Czech Republic.
The historic Polasek residence and chapel will be open as well as the gallery currently exhibiting “A Master of Modernism: Woodcuts and Prints by Charles Turzak.” Turzak was the son of Czech immigrants and the exhibition features scenes of Czechoslovakia from 1929.
Hand-crafted jewelry made in the Czech Republic by “Zivot” and fine Czech crystal and glassware by “Heart of Europe” will be available in the museum gift shop.
The Republic of Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918 after centuries of rule under the Hapsburg dynasty. Czech professor Thomas Masaryk, Slovak scientist Milan Stefanik and Czech sociologist Edward Benes proclaimed independence for Czechoslovakia on October 18, 1918 while in Washington, D.C. Ten days later, October 28, 1918, the Sovereign Republic of Czechoslovakia was founded in Prague and Masaryk was elected president.
In July 1992, Slovakia declared its sovereignty and on January 1, 1993 Czechoslovakia officially split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The traditional date of Czechoslovakian independence, October 28, is still acknowledged in both countries.
WINTER PARK, August 11, 2010 – Yonetani at the Polasek: Chamber Concert Series 2010 – 2011 Season
The Polasek Museum’s 6th annual three-concert music series features internationally acclaimed violin/viola virtuoso Ayako Yonetani accompanied by Dr. Kiminobu Sugaya and guest instrumentalists. Intimate performances are held in the elegant salon of the Polasek residence on Sunday afternoons from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Seating is limited, and tickets are $30 per person concert or $80 per person for the season.
December 5, 2010 – Guest performance by Scott Kluksdahl
January 16, 2011 – Guest performance by Dr. Johnny Pherigo
March 20, 2011 – Guest performance by Nikolay Blagov
Dr. Ayako Yonetani, a world renowned violinist, began playing at the age of five, and made her solo debut at the age of ten. Later, she made her United States debut as a concertmaster with the New York String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Yonetani received her bachelor, masters, and doctoral degrees from the Julliard School. She has previously assisted the great Dorothy DeLay and held the position of Julliard Isaac Stern concertmaster chair of the Academy Orchestra at the Aspen Music Festival & School. Currently, Dr. Yonetani is a Professor of Violin/Viola at the University of Central Florida and travels the world as a guest soloist. She is a member of Japan’s premier chamber ensemble in Tokyo. Recently, she was selected as an official artist of the Florida Arts & Culture State Touring Program.
Dr. Kiminobu Sugaya is Chair of the Neuroscience Consortium and also with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Alongside Dr. Yonetani, he has been conducting research on the impact of music on the brain.
Scott Kluksdahl is a Professor of Violincello at the University of South Florida School of Music and has performed internationally as an orchestral soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literature from Harvard University and a Masters in Music from the Julliard School.
Dr. Johnny Pherigo is a Professor of Music at the University of Central Florida, where he teaches horn, a musician’s health and wellness class, and online music appreciation and coaches brass chamber music. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas Tech University, a Master of Music degree from Catholic University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Illinois.
Nikolay Blagov is the principal clarinet in the Orlando Philharmonic. He studied the clarinet first with Ron Samuels at the Duquesne University School of Music, and later with Michael Rusinek at Carnegie Mellon University School of Music.
WINTER PARK, August 11, 2010 – The Albin Polasek Museum presents A Master of Modernism, a retrospective exhibit of woodcuts and paintings by the American Modernist Charles Turzak (1899 – 1986). Turzak enjoyed a long and prolific career as a master woodblock printmaker, painter, WPA muralist, commercial illustrator and a beloved art teacher. His critically acclaimed graphics of the expanding urban skyline in his hometown of Chicago and working class heroes epitomized the Modern Art movement in America in the 1930s. Dynamic lines and pulsating movement are the trademarks of his style.
The works on display, dating from the 1930s to 1960s, reflect Turzak’s artistic development from Modernism to Abstraction and include views of Chicago, historical American figures, Czechoslovakian landscapes and impressions of Orlando, Florida– the home of his retirement. Examples of his original carved maple and bass woodblocks, linoleum blocks and printmaking tools are also on display.
Turzak began showing a talent for art and wood carving at a young age. He honed his self-taught artistic skill by carving monkeys out of peach seeds to sell for pennies and creating drawings for his school’s yearbook. While in elementary school he had an apprenticeship making violins and by the time he graduated high school, he had won a national cartoon contest sponsored by The Purina Company. Taking the advice of one of the contest judges, Turzak used the prize money to fund his entrance into the Art Institute of Chicago.
In 1929, Turzak traveled to Europe in search of artistic inspiration and to visit his family’s homeland of Czechoslovakia (present day Czech Republic). Vibrant color prints and delicate watercolor paintings of the charming Bohemian countryside and European life show the breadth of Turzak’s artistic ability and are featured in this exhibition.
As a long-time admirer of American historical figures, Turzak began a pictorial biography of Abraham Lincoln after his return from Europe. He carved the thirty-six woodblock illustrations for the book while in public view at the Century of Progress at the World’s Fair held in Chicago in 1933. A second biography followed with eighty woodcuts of the life of Benjamin Franklin.
Turzak’s masterful Modernist style during the 1930s can be seen in his views of Chicago landmarks and his socially conscious depictions of the masses, including factory workers, the homeless, immigrants and organized criminals. Turzak, an artist of the people, often sketched on Chicago street corners, in Grant Park and along the lakefront to capture the essence of the city and its people during the Depression Era.
As the aesthetics of art evolved from Modernism to Abstraction by the 1950s, so did Turzak’s style. In 1958 he and his family moved to Orlando, Florida, an area that promised a milder climate and the company of fellow artists and friends including renowned sculptor Albin Polasek. Polasek and Turzak had been friends since their days at the Art Institute of Chicago in the early 1920s, where Polasek was the head of the AIC sculpture department. For Turzak, living in Orlando was “like a taste of eternity, without seasonal changes, time seemed non-existent” and it provided much artistic inspiration. Works from Turzak’s years in Florida are on display including prints of Lake Eola and blossoming hibiscus flowers. This exhibition has been generously loaned to the Albin Polasek Museum by Joan Turzak Van Hees, Charles Turzak’s daughter.
WINTER PARK, April 15, 2010 – The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens will end its 2009 – 2010 season with concurrent exhibits in the museum’s galleries, both running
May 25 through June 30, 2010.
An Attraction to Abstraction: The Fluid Life of Bruce Gregory focuses on works painted primarily in 1950s New York and Paris by American artist Bruce Gregory. Gregory’s goal in producing artwork was to liberate colors into broad areas, achieving a dimensional contrast of shape, color and form. An artist of national renown, Gregory (1917 – 2002) is best known as the artist who painted Fernand Léger’s two abstract murals in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations.
The Hippie House Revisited takes a look at the final years of 667 Osceola Avenue, the tract of land adjacent to the museum’s original east property line. Dating back to 1873, the site has been owned by some of the city’s best known historical residents; later the site was popularly known as the hippie house. This exhibit shows paintings and photographs from the final years of the hippie house, prior to the lot being purchased by the museum in 2000.
WINTER PARK, March 16, 2010 – The scenic backdrop of Winter Park will host the second Winter Park Paint Out, an event where the public can watch 26 professional artists painting outdoors (en plein air) at various Winter Park locations and then purchase these unique landscapes throughout the week and at a ticketed reception at the Polasek Museum.
The Paint Out will take place April 24 — May 1 and will be followed by a ticketed evening reception, Paint Out Garden Party, from 6 to 9 p.m. on May 1, where all of the artists will be present, and patrons will be able to purchase their works. Call 407 – 647-6294 for additional information; advance purchase tickets are $25. www.WinterParkPaintOut.org
All participating artists were invited to submit a painting to be chosen as the Paint Out’s poster image, which is the defining image for this year’s Paint Out. On Feb. 1, 2010 Kathleen Chenet’s painting titled Forest Idyl won the poster contest. Chenet received $1000 and her original painting is now part of the permanent collection of the Polasek Museum.
The Paint Out begins on April 24 when artists arrive at the museum with blank canvases. The canvases will be date stamped and the artists will then fan out through public locations in Winter Park, painting and bringing their completed, stamped canvases back to the museum at the end of each day. It is anticipated that most artists will produce five to seven new works during the Paint Out.
The museum’s gallery, which has partnered with the artists for this event, will be open for free between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day during the Paint Out to allow the public to view and to purchase paintings. Entrance fees will apply for guided tours of the historic Polasek residence and chapel during the Paint Out.
Free artist lectures and demonstrations will take place from April 25 through April 30, 2010. These lectures and demonstrations will be provided by five eminent Florida painters: Linda Blondheim, Cynthia Edmonds, Sally Evans, Stewart Jones and Mitch Kolbe. No reservations are required.
Stewart Jones, “Watercolor Demonstration,” Sunday, April 25, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Watercolor can be a difficult medium when painting en plein air. Stewart Jones shows how to work from light to dark in order to capture a scene. His technique uses abstract layers of light values and darker patterns to produce a unique watercolor painting.
Cynthia Edmonds, “Oil Painting Demonstration,” Tuesday, April 27, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
This session covers many of the basics of plein air oil painting including materials, mediums and composition. Cynthia Edmonds demonstrates the direct painting technique — paint is applied opaquely to the canvas, with each brush stroke capturing a specific element in the scene.
Sally Evans, “Pastel Demonstration,” Wednesday, April 28, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Pastels are an unusual painting medium requiring the artist to mix and blend colors on the paper, rather than on a palette. Sally Evans shows how to combine both drawing skill and color awareness to create a unique pastel painting. Included is information about the materials and types of pastels available to pastel artists.
Linda Blondheim, “Acrylic Demonstration,” Thursday, April 29, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Compared to oils, acrylic paints are a relatively new medium. In this session, Linda Blondheim shows how acrylics can be used effectively in plein air painting. Several techniques are taught which allow the artist to achieve oil-like results using this quick drying paint.
Mitch Kolbe, “Oil Demonstration,” Friday, April 30, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Mitch Kolbe gives a talk on color harmony and its use in plein air painting. Starting with the basics, Mitch progresses from “Color 101″ to more advanced techniques and applications for the working professional. Color concepts are the focus of this oil painting demonstration.
Jan Clanton, “Changing Landscapes, Changing Visions Lecture,” April 30, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
This lecture focuses on how the tradition of the landscape in American art has been prominent for over 200 years. Initially, the landscape was a symbol of unlimited potential and spirituality. Over the years, this national symbol has evolved to depict industrialization, derangement in society and even environmental concerns. Join us to examine this uniquely American tradition in all its permutations.
The Paint Out concludes with a free Open House on May 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. featuring the special exhibit Florida Plein Air Masters. This exhibit will highlight works from the Paint Out and will run until May 16.
Additional information about the Paint Out, including artist and instructor bios and ticket info, can be found at WinterParkPaintOut.org
All proceeds from the Winter Park Paint Out’s painting sales and ticket sales for Paint Out Garden Party will directly benefit the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens and artists.
WINTER PARK, March 13, 2010 — The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens is pleased to announce that renowned illustrator Michael Whelan will be speaking at the Winter Park Public Library on Saturday, April 17 at 11:00 a.m., offering a visual presentation followed by a question and answer session. Whelan’s illustrations, “Where the Evil Dwells”, 1982, acrylic on illustration board and “The Master Mind of Mars“, 1979, acrylic on illustration board are currently on display at the museum, part of the special exhibition “Maidens and Monsters: the Art of Science Fiction, Adventure and Fantasy.”
Whelan will also be the honored guest at the Polasek Museum on Sunday, April 18 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. during the closing reception for “Maidens and Monsters: The Art of Science Fiction, Adventure and Fantasy.” Whelan will not offer a formal program at the museum; he will be available for informal discussions and to sign books.
Since 1980, Michael Whelan has been one of the world’s premier fantasy and science fiction artists. He is currently working full time on his fine art paintings, but in the past three decades he has created more than 350 book and album covers for authors and artists like Isaac Asimov, Anne McCaffrey, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Stephen King, the Jacksons, Sepultura, and MeatLoaf. His clients have included every major U.S. book publisher in addition to such diverse companies as National Geographic, Roadrunner Records and The Franklin Mint.
A graduate of San Jose State University with a BA in Painting and a President’s Scholar, Michael Whelan went on to attend the prestigious Art Center College of Design also in California, but he dropped out to accept his first book cover assignment. The most honored artist in his field, Whelan has won an unprecedented 15 Hugo Awards (Science Fiction’s Oscar), 3 World Fantasy Awards, and the SuperHugo as the Best Artist of the last 50 years. He is a member of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame which includes such luminaries as H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Ray Bradbury, Steven Spielberg, Rod Serling, and Ursula K. Le Guin. The readers of LOCUS magazine (for SF insiders) have named him Best Professional Artist 27 times in their annual poll, including 2009. In addition to countless Best of Show and Best Artist Awards from SF and Fantasy conventions and regional art shows, Michael was named a Grand Master by the Spectrum Annual of the Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art. His other awards include a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators, a Vargas Award, and a Grumbacher Gold Medal.
WINTER PARK, March 13, 2010 — The Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens continues its annual tradition of offering free admission on Good Friday, April 2, 2010 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Regularly scheduled tours of the historic Polasek residence and chapel will take place at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:20 p.m.
Among his vast portfolio, Albin Polasek sculpted hundreds of liturgical works for churches, cathedrals and private collections. Lenten/Easter works on display in the gardens include Stations of the Cross, Victorious Christ and Risen Christ.
The fourteen Stations of the Cross, sketches in the chapel and bronze medallions in the gardens depict Jesus Christ’s Good Friday walk through Jerusalem — from his trial to his entombment. Two Victorious Christ sculptures, one in the Polasek residence and one in the gardens, show Christ on the cross; Risen Christ in the gardens is an Easter image of the resurrected Christ.
WINTER PARK, February 24, 2010 – In conjunction with the second Winter Park Paint Out, the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens will present five days of free artist lectures and demonstrations from April 25 through April 30, 2010. These lectures and demonstrations will be provided by five eminent Florida painters: Linda Blondheim, Cynthia Edmonds, Sally Evans, Stewart Jones and Mitch Kolbe. No reservations are required.
Stewart Jones, “Watercolor Demonstration,” Sunday, April 25, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Watercolor can be a difficult medium when painting en plein air. Stewart Jones shows how to work from light to dark in order to capture a scene. His technique uses abstract layers of light values and darker patterns to produce a unique watercolor painting.
Cynthia Edmonds, “Oil Painting Demonstration,” Tuesday, April 27, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
This session covers many of the basics of plein air oil painting including materials, mediums and composition. Cynthia Edmonds demonstrates the direct painting technique — paint is applied opaquely to the canvas, with each brush stroke capturing a specific element in the scene.
Sally Evans, “Pastel Demonstration,” Wednesday, April 28, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Pastels are an unusual painting medium requiring the artist to mixed and blend colors on the paper rather than on a palette. Sally Evans shows how to combine both drawing skill and color awareness to create a unique pastel painting. Included is information about the materials and types of pastels available to pastel artists.
Linda Blondheim, “Acrylic Demonstration,” Thursday, April 29, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Compared to oils, acrylic paints are a relatively new medium. In this session, Linda Blondheim shows how acrylics can be used effectively in plein air painting. Several techniques are taught which allow the artist to achieve oil-like results using this quick drying paint.
Mitch Kolbe, “Oil Demonstration,” Friday, April 30, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Mitch Kolbe gives a talk on color harmony and its use in plein air painting. Starting with the basics, Mitch progresses from “Color 101″ to more advanced techniques and applications for the working professional. Color concepts are the focus of this oil painting demonstration.
Jan Clanton, “Changing Landscapes, Changing Visions Lecture,” April 30, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
This lecture focuses on how the tradition of the landscape in American art has been prominent for over 200 years. Initially, the landscape was a symbol of unlimited potential and spirituality. Over the years, this national symbol has evolved to depict industrialization, derangement in society and even environmental concerns. Join us to examine this uniquely American tradition in all its permutations.
WINTER PARK, February 1, 2010 – The scenic backdrop of Winter Park will host the second Winter Park Paint Out, an event where the public can watch 26 professional artists painting outdoors (en plein air) at various Winter Park locations and then purchase these unique landscapes throughout the week and at a ticketed reception at the Polasek Museum.
The Paint Out will take place April 24 — May 1 and will be followed by a ticketed evening reception, Plein Air Celebration, from 6 to 9 p.m. on May 1, where all of the artists will be present, and patrons will be able to purchase their works. Call 407 – 647-6294 for additional information.
All participating artists were invited to submit a painting to be chosen for the Paint Out’s poster contest. On Feb. 1, 2010 Kathleen Chenet’s painting titled Forest Idyl won the poster contest to determine the defining image for the exhibit. Chenet received $1000 and her original painting is now part of the permanent collection of the Polasek Museum.
The Paint Out begins on April 24 when artists arrive at the museum with blank canvases. The canvases will be date stamped and the artists will then fan out through public locations in Winter Park, painting and bringing their completed, stamped canvases back to the museum at the end of each day. It is anticipated that most artists will produce six to 10 new works during the Paint Out.
The museum’s gallery, which has partnered with the artists for this event, will be open for free between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day during the Paint Out to allow the public to view and to purchase paintings. Entrance fees will apply for guided tours of the historic Polasek residence and chapel during the Paint Out.
The Paint Out concludes with a free Open House featuring the special exhibit Florida Plein Air Masters on May 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. This exhibit will highlight works from the Paint Out and will run until May 16.
Additional information about the Paint Out, including artist bios and ticket info, can be found at http://polasek.org/?page_id=31
All proceeds from the Winter Park Paint Out’s painting sales and ticket sales for Plein Air Celebration will directly benefit the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens.
Note To Media: Executive Director Debbie Komanski, Paint Out Co-chair Hal Stringer, as well as Paint Out artists will be available for interviews the opening day of the Paint Out at 10 a.m on April 24 at the Polasek Museum.
WINTER PARK, January 21, 2010 –In conjunction with United Arts of Central Florida’s ArtsFest, the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens will be offering free admission on Saturday, February 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Three art galleries, the historic Polasek residence, a chapel and picturesque sculpture gardens on Lake Osceola offer visitors multiple opportunities to view Albin Polasek’s sculptures and pieces from his personal art collection, along with the museum’s special exhibition “Maidens and Monsters – The Art of Science Fiction, Adventure and Fantasy.” This exhibition presents a fresh and surprising view of American illustration, highlighting some of the exotic adventures, fantastic fables and romantic encounters told in magazines and books published between 1914 and 1995.
Saturday Events:
Docent-led tours of the historic Polasek residence will take place at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Free children’s art activities will be on-going in the museum’s outdoor breezeway classroom.
There will be a 12:00 p.m. collector’s tour in the museum galleries showcasing “Maidens and Monsters – The Art of Science Fiction, Adventure and Fantasy,” led by the co-owner of the collection, Stephen D. Korshak. The exhibition includes 50 original works by 22 pioneering illustrators. The collector’s tour will be followed by a book signing, featuring Korshak’s books “Grand Master of Fantasy: The Paintings of J. Allen St. John” (Vanguard, 2008) and “From the Pen of Paul: The Fantastic Images of Frank R. Paul” (Shasta-Phoenix, 2009). Stephen D. Korshak is a graduate of the University of Chicago and a practicing attorney for the past 30 years. He resides in Orlando with his wife and four children.
Following the book signing there will be a 2:00 pm panel discussion: “The Relevance Today of Classic Science Fiction Illustration” with panelists including area illustrators, writers and sci-fi fans. The focus of the discussion will touch on whether younger fans still are influenced by older science fiction images and their accompanying stories. Is there such a thing as “timeless” science fiction?
Sunday Events:
Docent-led tours of the historic Polasek residence will take place at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Free children’s art activities will be on-going in the museum’s outdoor breezeway classroom.
Traditional Czech kolache (fruit-filled bread rolls), apple strudel and Viennese coffee will be served free to visitors throughout the day in honor of the birth of the museum’s founder Albin Polasek. Polasek was born in 1879 in Moravia (now the Czech Republic).
WINTER PARK, October 30, 2009 — Orange TV covers the Nesbitt exhibit opening at The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
WINTER PARK, September 18, 2009 — The traditional day of Czech Independence will be celebrated with free admission to the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens on Wednesday, October 28 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Museum founder Albin Polasek was born and raised in the province of Moravia, in what is now the Czech Republic. Tours of the historic Polasek residence and chapel will be offered by museum docents hourly, from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Traditional Czech kolache (fruit-filled bread rolls), apple strudel and Viennese coffee will be served free to visitors while supplies last, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The Republic of Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918 after centuries of rule under the Hapsburg dynasty. Czech professor Thomas Masaryk, Slovak scientist Milan Stefanik and Czech sociologist Edward Benes proclaimed independence for Czechoslovakia on October 18, 1918 while in Washington, D.C. Ten days later, October 28, 1918, the Sovereign Republic of Czechoslovakia was founded in Prague and Masaryk was elected president. In July 1992, Slovakia declared its sovereignty and on January 1, 1993 Czechoslovakia officially split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The traditional date of Czechoslovakian independence, October 28, is still acknowledged in both countries.
WINTER PARK, September 4, 2009–The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens presents presents the special exhibition “My Camera Speaks for Me” running from Oct 13 — Nov 15, 2009. This retrospective exhibition of 30 photographs represents the most potent images of photographer Douglas Nesbitt. He captures the human condition and the world around us in this thought-provoking one-man-show featuring works chosen by the artist. A photographer without a specialty, Nesbitt considers himself to be a “journeyman with a camera.” Crossing all photographic boundaries, his images are found in advertising, architecture, portraiture, fine art and photo journalism. Douglas Nesbitt’s photographs are powerful compositions that speak to the viewer because every element – patterns in the background, signs in the corner, the angle of a face – add something to the narrative of the photograph.
WINTER PARK, September 4, 2009 – The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens will open its fifth season of chamber music concerts with “Yonetani at the Polasek,” on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. The extraordinary atmosphere of the Polasek salon provides an incredibly warm and intimate acoustic experience. Featured will be internationally acclaimed violin/viola soloist Ayako Yonetani. Works by GF Handel, Georges Bizet, Franz Schubert, Fritz Kreisler and Beethoven will be performed. Baritone Thomas Potter will join Yonetani during the concert.
WINTER PARK, September 2, 2009 – “The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens,” written by Debbie Komanski and Karen Louden, a photographic coffee table book, was honored on August 8, 2009 at the 22nd Annual Florida Print Awards (Printing Association of Florida) as the Best of Category in the Book division. The eye-catching design was created by Terry/Kane Orlando, Inc. (TKO) and printed by Sun Dance Graphics.
The book contains photographs and narrative recounting the engaging life and works of Czech-born American sculptor Albin Polasek. During his lifetime, Polasek (1879 – 1965) created over 400 works of art. The book features a striking combination of archival photographs and contemporary shots along with compelling text. The book is highlighted by its attractive and varied layout and a visually strong impact is made by the harmonious colors chosen by the design team. Funding for the project was provided by the Community Foundation of Central Florida, Terry/Kane Orlando (TKO) donated all of their design time and Sun Dance Graphics donated fifty percent of the cost of printing and bindery and produced additional copies of the book for the museum. The book is available for purchase at the museum store.
WINTER PARK, August 14, 2009 – On Saturday, September 26, 2009, the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens will participate in the fifth annual Museum Day, presented by Smithsonian magazine. A celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge, Smithsonian’s Museum Day reflects the spirit of the magazine and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, DC-based properties. Doors will be open free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors at museums and cultural institutions nationwide.
WINTER PARK, July 29, 2009 – You don’t have to be an expert on art, history or gardening to become a valued volunteer at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. The Polasek relies on the dedication and commitment of over 100 volunteers to help sustain the museum in a multitude of ways. If you want to contribute your time, energy and skills, the Polasek offers a range of volunteer opportunities for which we will train you.
WINTER PARK, July 21, 2009 - Mixed media artist Don Howard’s bold, colorful, creative and extremely three dimensional hand-crafted sun gods and ancestral art is featured in the museum’s first exhibit of the 2009 – 2010 season, “Modern Primitives: Sculptural Images of Don Howard” running from Sept. 1 through October 11, 2009. Howard’s wall-mounted relief sculptures evoke the look of Aztec and Incan deities, while other pieces draw upon African imagery, with angular mask-like faces and tribal coloring.