By Christina Wood When Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget earlier this year, nonprofit arts and cultural organizations across Florida breathed a sigh of relief. Making sure the arts receive their fair share of the pie is always an uphill battle. The moneys provided in the budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 weren’t particularly generous, but it was a big improvement … [Read more...]
Arts briefs: Alswang to retire from Norton; Danis departs at FGO
WEST PALM BEACH — Hope Alswang, who has led the Norton Museum of Art since April 2010, will retire in March after it reopens following its massive expansion and renovation by the eminent British architect Norman Foster. Alswang, who led a $100 million capital campaign called The New Norton, has overseen an expansion of the institution’s collections, receiving donations of … [Read more...]
Rocker Newsted channels power, energy onto canvas in Cultural Council show
By Sandra Schulman When I first see Jason Newsted, six-time Grammy winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and now artist with a powerful solo show at the Palm Beach Cultural Council, he is dropping little self-designed enamel pins that say “Rawk” into dozens of goody bags. “It’s what I do,” he says with a straight face. The last time I saw him was 21 years ago at … [Read more...]
Cultural Council CEO Blades stepping down
LAKE WORTH — Rena Blades, president and CEO of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County for the past 13 years, will step down from her post, effective Jan. 15, the council said today. Upon Blades’ departure, Kathleen Alex, the council’s interim director, will oversee the agency’s grants, manage the cultural tourism programs under the Tourist Development Council, manage … [Read more...]
Canvas outdoor art show coming to Lake Worth
The week before Art Basel descends on Miami on Dec. 7, the Canvas Outdoor Museum Show will descend upon the city of Lake Worth from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2. Founded in 2015 by art curator Nicole Henry, the event has run in West Palm Beach for the past two years. Canvas artists will turn the city’s streets into an outdoor museum, with giant murals, shipping containers, art … [Read more...]
ArtsBuzz: Cultural Council adds board members; ‘Sound of Music’ will feature lobby concerts
Cultural Council names six new board members LAKE WORTH — Six new members have joined the board of directors for the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, with global finance expert Nathan Slack appointed as chair. William Parmelee will serve as vice chair and Jean Sharf will serve as secretary. Other board members include Phil DiComo, Gail Horvath, Michele Jacobs, Daryn … [Read more...]
When art hangs 10: Custom surfboards at the Cultural Council
If masterpieces can come in the form of bronze and glass sculptures, what should we call handmade surfboards dressed in original photographs? Functional artworks, if you ask local photographer and surfer Tony Arruza. His inspirational images are the first thing to hit us upon entering the bright gallery space at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, where 15 custom … [Read more...]
Arts buzz: News briefs from the local arts
Four Arts announces its largest season PALM BEACH – The Society of the Four Arts has announced the largest season in its 80-year history, offering more than 500 arts and cultural programs in 2016-2017. From November through April, the Four Arts will offer two art exhibitions, a new lecture series with noted historians, 20 live music performances from the likes of Sir … [Read more...]
Artist di Edwardo celebrates ‘joy’ of midlife creation
Rosetta, by Alyssa di Edwardo. By Lucy Lazarony Abstract expressionist Alyssa di Edwardo lives and works in West Palm Beach, but for her paintings for her solo show, opening today at the Cultural Council, she travels to mystical medieval gardens and late 19th-century London, when Sherlock Holmes would be afoot solving his crimes. The eight paintings in the exhibition, … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: May 6-8
Pianist Shuree Enkhbold. Music: If you’ve ever heard the music of Sembiin Gonchigsumlaa, who lived from 1915 to 1991, you’re in exclusive company. But if you haven’t, tonight is your chance to hear music by Mongolia’s most eminent composer, played by a young Mongolian pianist studying with Roberta Rust at Lynn University. Munkshur Enkhbold, who prefers the name Shuree, is, … [Read more...]