“Christmas Village” Art Walk – Let the shopping begin…

Serious holiday shopping traditionally starts in November. Are you looking for that perfect holiday gift for family, friends or co-workers? Then be sure to visit Art Walk on historic Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28.

Skip the traffic and crowds at the mall and take a stroll along Flagler Avenue, the charming and quaint five-blocks between the Indian River and the ocean. There will something for everyone. Browsers and shoppers will be able to find unique and one-of-a-kind gifts for all ages and to fit every budget. In addition to the art galleries that represent more than 100 artists, there will be several visiting artists who will be set up under canopies along the avenue.

The popular monthly event showcases painting, jewelry, ceramics, decorative art, glass blowing, sculpture, fabric arts, pottery demonstrations and much more.

Photo courtesy Nicole Carni Galleria di Vetro is donating this month’s drawing prize for the “Christmas Village” Art Walk on Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach. The flameworked boron crystal glass “New Smyrna Beach Sea Turtle” sculpture is a great prize; so remember to get your cards punched at each sponsoring gallery.

Remember to pick up an Art Walk event program wherever you see the blue and black flags with the white “gg” logo and get your program cards punched at each of the sponsoring galleries for a chance to win this month’s free prize from Galleria di Vetro, 310 Flagler Ave., a flameworked boron crystal glass “New Smyrna Beach Sea Turtle” sculpture.

Other sponsoring galleries are Ta Da Gallery, 113 Flagler Ave; Jewelry of Joy, 301 Flagler; and Palms Up Pottery, 413 Flagler.

There will also be entertainment and some galleries will offer wine tasting or refreshments from 3 to 5 p.m. Live glass and flame-working demonstrations in boron crystal glass will be presented Kyle Carni at Galleria di Vetro. Visitors can watch the talented glass artist create unique jellyfish, New Smyrna Beach sea turtles and seahorse Christmas ornaments. Galleria will be giving away door prizes every hour starting at noon.

Rounding out the Art Walk attractions and fun are the many quaint shops, as well as a variety of dining options for every taste and budget.

The Gallery Group is seeking professional artists in any medium to display their art from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month during Art Walk on Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach. Upcoming themes are: December, “Christmas Celebration” (held one week earlier, Dec. 19, due to the holiday); Jan. 23, 2010, “Black and White”; and Feb. 27, “Culinary Arts.”

Each month the Group judges the work of the visiting artists on the street, and presents cash prizes along with corresponding ribbons at the end of the day.

Congratulations to October winners:  $100, Barbara Sorenson for her sculpture “Beach Frolic;” $75, Buddy Hatcher for his photograph “Beam of Orange;” and $50, Ed Welch for his pen and ink drawing “September to Remember.”

For more information about Art Walk, or to request an artist’s application, call 386-428-1770 or visit www.flaglergallerygroup.com.

Flamingo Follies to usher in the holiday season Nov. 14 & 15

Flamingo Follies to usher in the holiday season

The 19th annual Flamingo Follies: A Holiday Art Show will usher in the holiday season Nov. 14 and 15 on beautiful Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, beachside. Arts and crafts exhibits, continuous entertainment, food stands and specials in the many retail shops and restaurants will be the highlights of the festive event.
Plan to take a leisurely stroll along Flagler Avenue during Flamingo Follies. Many Flagler Avenue merchants will participate by offering special sales and promotions during the weekend. Browsers and shoppers will be able to find unique and one-of-a-kind gifts for all ages and to fit every budget.  Visitors will find a plethora of jewelry, ceramics, decorative art, glass art, fabric art, sculpture, clothing and much more along Flagler Avenue’s charming and quaint five blocks between the Indian River and the ocean. It will be the perfect time to have fun while doing some holiday shopping.

Jenny Stine, known for her colorful and fun paper mache' fish and creature sculptures will be exhibiting at Flamingo Follies. Photo by Sandi Carroll

More than 100 art and craft booths will be scattered along Flagler Avenue from Peninsula to North Atlantic Avenue. Artists and crafters will be exhibiting their wares from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Several popular and well-known local artists; including Steve Hardock, Jenny Stine, Mike Nelson, Jerry Kennedy, Kim Kaiser, and Margaret Yarranton will be exhibiting. In addition, artists will be competing for approximately $5,000 in prize money.
The gazebo at Flagler and Pine will be the site of continuous entertainment both days. Live entertainment groups will include The Nedobeck Trio, Bob Kissel, Offshore Duo, AcoustiCon and Cabin Fever.
Food and beverage will be plentiful during Flamingo Follies. In addition to the great restaurants and lounges found on Flagler Avenue, vendors will be set up at various locations on the street. Festival favorites such as “Kettle Korn,” fresh squeezed lemonade, gran arepa, cheese-steak subs, burgers, hot dogs, and more will be available both days.
Billie Grace Lynn, assistant professor, sculpture, University of Miami, Coral Gables, will be the juror for the show. As part of her teaching philosophy, Lynn says, “In addition to formal class time, I always try to do some of my own work at school during non-class hours so that students can be witness to another’s process. I do not conceal my own struggles, lack of virtuosity, or failures. It is my hope that such self-exposure will manifest the truth that through the self-discipline of hard work, done on a consistent basis, almost anything can be accomplished. The ultimate teaching is, of course, to teach students how to teach themselves. Only this knowledge can sustain an artist over time through obscurity, struggle, and especially, success.”
Lynn is the recipient of several awards and grants and has exhibited her works in numerous solo, two person and selected group exhibitions. She has participated in several art residencies over the years, including one in Scotland, and was part of the 2003 “Wind Art” residency at Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach.

Juror Billie Lynn

In her artist’s statement Lynn says, “This has always been the work of art: to inspire the senses—to make the body feel—without necessarily direct experience, through signs, colors, sounds, movement, and so on. At its highest, the experience and the making of art are identical. Accordingly, my work is usually interactive and kinetic in nature. I strive to make pieces in which the viewer interface is both the form and function of the piece. I want people to remember themselves, in much the same way that babies discover their fingers.”
Flagler Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday for Flamingo Follies. All cars must be removed from the street during those hours.
The City of New Smyrna Beach hosts Flamingo Follies: A Holiday Art Show each year with assistance from the Merchants of Flagler Avenue. For more information, call NSB Parks and Recreation at 386-424-2175, or visit www.cityofnsb.com. Don’t miss this festive and fun holiday art show!

Steve Hartock will be one of the artists exhibiting at Flamingo Follies. Photo by Sandi Carroll

Brook Verschage visited a prior Flamingo Follies with Twinkel Toes (left) and Tigger, who enjoyed the art show and street festival from the comfort of the bicycle basket. Photo by Sandi Carroll