Creative Tallahassee 2010 Exhibition

Celebrate the skill, talent, ingenuity and creativity of some of the most exciting artists in the Big Bend area. In a month-long show at City Hall Gallery, the Council on Culture & Arts’ Creative Tallahassee 2010 highlights the work of many well-known Tallahassee artists, as well as emerging artists in this highly-anticipated annual juried exhibition. The exhibition will hang from March 25th until May 18th.

Competition in 2010 was fierce. Over 180 separate pieces were submitted for consideration. And from those, forty-four artists were selected by a special jury to be shown in this year’s Creative Tallahassee show.

Meet the artists in the City Hall Art Gallery during a reception and awards ceremony on Friday evening, April 2nd from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, and enjoy light refreshments. Awards will be presented at 6:30. There is no charge for the reception or the exhibition.

The City Hall Art Gallery is located on the second floor of City Hall at 300 South Adams Street and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:30 pm.

Creative Tallahassee 2010 is one of over a dozen annual exhibitions curated by the Council on Culture & Arts. The exhibit is part of the City of Tallahassee’s Art in Public Places program.

Natural Wonders: the Photography of Miguel Olivella

As stark and stunning as the work of Ansel Adams, Natural Wonders: the Photography of Miguel Olivella, is the latest exhibition at the Artport Gallery. “Mr. Adams was the epitome of what I consider to be the perfect blend of art and photographer,” says Miguel Olivella, whose work will be displayed through May 4th at the gallery at Tallahassee Regional Airport. “His images captured my attention in 1971 and were the catalyst for my interest in photography.”

Working in black-and-white, and focusing his attention for this exhibition on the western United States, Miguel’s photos can raise the hair on the back of one’s neck—study the alpha wolf’s piercing eyes—or cause one to sigh with wonder while glimpsing the underside of a dandelion.

Miguel makes his living as a lawyer and also works as sports photographer for the FSU Athletic Department, as well as a stringer for a major wire service. His photos are published regularly in Unconquered Magazine, in FSU marketing materials and on several websites, including ESPN.com.

The exhibition is curated by the Council on Culture & Arts’ Arts in Public Places program on behalf of the City of Tallahassee.

About The Arts Exchange on the first day of spring...

It's the first day of spring...always good for imagining new beginnings and planting both seeds and ideas. Both start with a dream of what can become.

So, today, on the vernal equinox (oooh, that makes me want to start writing like Rudyard Kipling, O Best Beloved) its a good day to write my first blog for The COCA Buzz (yes, I've been putting it off.) My position at COCA is Development Director for The Arts Exchange, a project that is a wonderful idea, and will grow to become a reality very soon.

Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to meet with many of our local arts and cultural organizations and their boards of directors. I explain the concept of The Arts Exchange, an arts "village" that combines office, meeting and rehearsal spaces for our local arts organizations, features a 400 seat black box theatre (that is a BIG black box), affordable live-work housing, and arts-friendly retail on the corner of Gaines and Railroad. (If you aren't familiar, take a minute to visit http://www.the-arts-exchange.com/ and you can learn more.) Some folks are familiar with the project, some are eager to learn more.

Here's what inspires me. Almost everyone smiles and nods as I (or Randi or Peggy) explain. Maybe it's because we are enthusiastic, and we emote, and use our hands a lot when we talk. I think it's more than that though. I think people can picture themselves at such a destination. Talking to other arts organizations and sharing ideas. Taking a break mid-afternoon and grabbing a latte' (OK, I think my personal fantasy just crept in...and if that's so, let's add a chocolate chip cookie.) Attending a play or recital in the black box. Having a place to store music, files, take deliveries, have someone to answer the phone. Watching Gaines Street transform into something beautiful. The Arts Exchange can do this.

So again, it's spring. I am planting my seeds by writing this blog. I plan to watch The Arts Exchange grow into a reality. And when it's built I am going to bring over one BIG planter so I can grow some of my favorite flowers and watch them bloom. Here's to spring and watching things grow!

Don't Keep Your Opinions to Yourself!

The Council on Culture & Arts wants your thoughts on how we're doing. Your input will be invaluable in making sure we're providing the services and assistance that help to you most--both individually and as an arts or cultural organization.

Please take a moment to fill out the survey. It's short. It's sweet. And your opinions and ideas will benefit everyone.

Here's the link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22ACCBJCA4E.

Please feel free to pass this along to your colleagues.

And, thank you.