IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts

New Smyrna Beach, Florida is known as an exceptional “Art Town,” and is listed in John Villani’s book, “The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America.” The town’s premier outdoor art festival is the annual IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts, presented by Atlantic Center for the Arts, and held in picturesque Riverside Park along the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway January 30 & 31, 2010.

Thousands attend IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts each year

The 34th annual IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts is an outstanding weekend featuring more than 240 talented artists, a delicious festival menu in the food court, children’s art projects, and free top-notch entertainment both days. It is sponsored by the City of New Smyrna Beach, County of Volusia, New Smyrna Beach Visitor’s Center, Bright House Networks, Riverside Bank, and the New Smyrna Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this fun weekend in support of the arts!

“Outdoor art festivals are a comfortable and easy way to access the visual arts,” says Ann Brady, Executive Director of Atlantic Center for the Arts.  “You have the opportunity to talk to the artist; there is a wide variety of price ranges available in work that ranges from jewelry to ceramics to hand carved furniture to metal sculpture to painting.  And your purchases support artists, many of whom are from Florida. It’s a mutually beneficial exchange – you get artwork you love and the artist is provided an income.”

Women love great jewelry and flocked to the Carlson booth at last year's IMAGES

This prestigious juried art festival traces its roots back to the late ‘70s.  IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts was first held in February 1977, as a fundraiser for Atlantic Center for the Arts, an international artists-in-residence community, located on 67 acres in north New Smyrna Beach.

Envisioned and founded by environmentalist, painter and sculptor Doris Leeper in 1977, the artists-in-residence facility brings talented artists from different disciplines together to work with distinguished masters in the fields of visual, literary, performing and musical arts.

An IMAGES visitor admires art work at Fred Wiesner's booth at last yea's IMAGES.

The Pabst Visitor Center & Gallery includes three interconnecting galleries, a Founder’s Room meeting room, and a Gift Shop. Other features include music, sculpture, painting and dance studios, a theater, library, and nature trails. In downtown New Smyrna Beach, Atlantic Center for the Art’s Community Arts Center at Harris House provides community art and educational programs and houses a gallery featuring contemporary work by Florida artists.

IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts is one of the largest community programs for Atlantic Center for the Arts. Offering more than $100,000 in prize money and Patron’s Choice Awards, the juried festival attracts some of the most talented artists in the country. IMAGES offers a tradition of quality and artistic growth, with fine artists showcasing their best work in painting, graphics, photography, jewelry, sculpture, glass, wood, leather, paper, clay, fiber, and fine crafts. There are thousands of pieces of art for purchase, whether you’re looking for that special sculpture, painting, photograph, glass vase, unique piece of jewelry, or handcrafted table.

Rylie Thomas participates in a community art project at last year's festival.

In the popular Creative Education tent, sponsored by the Atlantic Center Volunteer League and the New Smyrna Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, children have the opportunity to participate in hands-on “create and go” art projects. The Creative Education tent allows the Festival to nurture the creative gifts of what could be the next decade’s participating artists!

Lilli Morrison's proud of the hat she created

The Patron’s Choice Awards, totaling $60,000 in 2009, demonstrates community support for the Festival, enhancing its reputation and increasing its prestige. Images patrons pledge a minimum of $350, with $250 of that pledge going toward artwork of their choice. Patrons choose the piece (or pieces) directly from the artist involved in the show and their $100 contribution to IMAGES helps to underwrite festival costs.

Renee Decator has been selected as the IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts poster artist for 2010 and her painting “Surface” was selected as the poster and T-shirt image for festival. “Surface” depicts two sea turtles swimming up through small orange fish and beams of light that penetrate the water.

New Smyrna Beach pulls out all the stops in welcoming IMAGES artists and patrons to town January 30 and 31. Hours will be 9 a.m-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. So, bring a friend, bring your wallet, and plan to enjoy an outstanding weekend of the arts. For more information about the festival, or to become a patron, phone the IMAGES office at (386) 423-4733, or visit www.imagesartfestival.org.

All photos by Sandi Carroll

Renee Decator selected as IMAGES poster artist

Atlantic Center for the Arts announced that Renee Decator has been selected as the poster artist for IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts, which will be held in downtown New Smyrna Beach Jan. 30 & 31, 2010.

Renee grew up in Daytona Beach and says,  “drawing was a favorite pastime for me when I was a child. I drew caricatures of all my classmates in school and filled sketchbook after sketchbook. I was a tomboy who loved the ocean, the springs and deep-sea fishing with my dad.” As an adult, she attended the Artquest School of Art & Design, squeezing in classes between working and raising a family.

"Surface", acrylic on canvas, by Renee Decator has been selected as the IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts poster and T-shirt image for 2010.

Renee and her family moved to the Melbourne area in 1996 where she continued taking art classes and workshops.

“My art is all about the wonders of life, as I see them,” Renee said. “ I love color and texture and I am fascinated with small things; the way a leaf curls to catch the rain, or the silhouette of a blackbird in the sky above me. My exploration into art was literally ‘eye-opening’. It quickly became a passion and forever became the best description of who I am. My goal is to always be true to my passions in life. To explore and discover, to see my world with childlike wonder, and share my vision of those wonders through my artwork.”

Renee’s painting “Surface” was selected as the poster and T-shirt image for the 34^th annual IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts. “Surface” depicts two sea turtles swimming up through small orange fish and beams of light that penetrates the water.

“I spent many weekends fishing in the ocean off Daytona with my dad,” Renee said, “and I love the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. I describe myself as a ‘Southern Expressionist.’ Growing up in the South has definitely influenced my art, both in my bold palette and subject matter.”

Renee said that most of her paintings evolve through an intuitive process. She starts with texture and color, covering the canvas, and as she starts to play with the color, shape and line she develops a feeling of which direction the piece might go.

“I like challenges when I paint and welcome the unexpected and exciting surprises this method allows,” Renee said. “Painting intuitively is liberating … a blank canvas is never an obstacle, just an opportunity to do what I love ‑ paint.”

One of Renee’s favorite projects was a solo exhibition in 2008, titled “Roadtrip, Impressions of a Memory” that was prompted by a very special trip she took with her father and teenage son back to the West Virginia and Kentucky mountains of her father’s childhood. The exhibition included 29 artworks, a book with the stories that inspired the art, and a video about the trip.

Renee paints and teaches at her studio, Artescape and is represented by the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery in the Eau Gallie Arts District, both in Melbourne. Her work is in private collections throughout Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi and New York.

“I hope my art encourages viewers to explore the world around them and appreciate the wonder of it,” Renee said. She welcomes comments about her work on her blog “Wonder and Whimsy” at http://www.reneedecator.com.

The 34th Annual IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts is presented by Atlantic Center for the Artswill be held Jan. 30 & 31, 2010 in picturesque Riverside Park along the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway in New Smyrna Beach. It will be an outstanding weekend featuring more than 240 talented artists, a delicious festival menu in the food court, free children’s art projects, and top-notch entertainment both days. Hours will be 9 a.m-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, phone 386-423-4733, or visit the Web site at www.imagesartfestival.org.

Christmas Art Walk on Flagler is Saturday

Ho! Ho! Ho! This Saturday’s “Christmas Celebration” Art Walk on Flagler Avenue will be the perfect place to take a relaxing stroll and do some last minute holiday shopping from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., while avoiding the traffic and the crowds at the malls.

There is nothing better than taking a stroll along Flagler Avenue, the delightful five-block area between the Indian River and the ocean that has so many quaint, quirky, and charming shops to visit. The popular monthly event showcases painting, jewelry, ceramics, decorative art, glassblowing demonstrations, sculpture, fabric arts, pottery demonstrations and more.

Visitors can watch glass "sea-creature" ornaments being created at Galleria di Vetro during this Saturday's (Dec. 19) Art Walk.

Presented by the Gallery Group of Flagler Avenue, there will also be entertainment and a special prize drawing. There will be something for everyone, including several visiting artists who will be set up under canopies along the avenue; such as photographers Buddy Hatcher and Alan Craddock, painters and mixed media artists Robert Spellman, Panther’s Gallery, and Robert and Kathleen Brown, silversmith Barbara Sorenson, jewelry maker Renee Carsto, and creative tile artist Scott Luedke.

Remember to pick up an Art Walk program wherever you see the blue and black flags with the white “gg” logo and be sure to get it punched at each of the sponsoring galleries for a chance to win this month’s free prize drawing, a Gorham Cake Service by Treasures, donated by Ta Da Gallery, 113 Flagler Ave., which will also offer wine and cheese from 3-5 p.m.

Other sponsoring galleries are Jewelry of Joy, 301 Flagler; Galleria di Vetro, 310 Flagler; and Palms Up Pottery, 413 Flagler.

DJ Dennis will be playing everyone’s favorite holiday music at the gazebo at Flagler and Pine, and making announcements throughout the day.

There will be live glassworking and flameworking demonstrations presented at Galleria di Vetro. Visitors can watch glass artists Kyle Carni and Jason Lott create unique jellyfish and seahorse ornaments, and Nicole Carni will be introducing her new line of hostess glassware.

Visiting artists will set up at several locations on Flagler Avenue for Art Walk

Jazz Musician Richard Young will entertain at Galleria from 12-4 p.m. and his music will be available for purchase. Galleria will be offering “Door-buster” prizes ever hour starting at noon and will also offer cookies and punch for the kids and wine and cheese for the adults from 3-5 p.m.

Art Walk is great way to get in the holiday spirit, and the charming beachside street is the perfect place to find unique last-minute Christmas gifts. The street also boasts a variety of dining options to suit every taste and budget.

For more information about Art Walk, call 386-428-1770, 386-576-3746, or visit www.flaglergallerygroup.com.

An Art & Wine Walk is scheduled for Jan. 23, a “Red Hatters” Art Walk will be held Feb. 27, and a Culinary Art Walk is scheduled for March 27. Be sure and mark them down on your calendars.

And don’t forget that the NSB Water Taxi now stops at the west end of Flagler Avenue, at the Grill at Riverview every two hours starting at 12:30 p.m. The taxi also makes stops at Riverside Park and the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach, as well as two locations in Ponce Inlet. For details, call 386-428-4828 or visit www.nsbtaxi.com.

Light Up Flagler 2009, a week late, but lots of fun

And the winners are……..

!!!!!!!Congratulations to Beachsyde Jewelry for winning “Best Window” and to Advanced Beauty Care for winning “Best Decorated Building”!!!!!!

This year’s judges were Lynne Plaskett, NSB City Commissioner; Sarah Higgins from Atlantic Center for the Arts and Deborah Schmeltz from the SEV Chamber of Commerce. They had a hard time picking the winners. Coming in second and third  in the Window category was Sue Who and Jonah’s Cat’s Gallery respectively. Coming in second and third in the building category was Gone Bonkers and The Cloisters. The Merchants did a wonderful job decorating their windows and buildings this year, as they do every year. Thank you for all your hard work and creativity!

(Copyright photos by Sandi Carroll)

IMAGES Tour of Homes a success

Six unique homes in New Smyrna Beach attracted hundreds of visitors Saturday, Dec. 5, during the annual IMAGES Tour of Homes. The tour benefits IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts, presented by Atlantic Center for the Arts, held in downtown New Smyrna Beach Jan. 30 & 31, 2010.

Jeffrey Gehris cooks up appetizers during the Tour of Homes

“The overcast weather did not dampen the enthusiasm of the hundreds of Tour-goers who lined up to get into see the six beautiful and diverse homes and Little Theatre, as well as to visit the IMAGES Boutique, purchasing handmade items by the armloads,” said Ann Brady, Executive Director of Atlantic Center for the Arts. “We appreciate the support of our loyal attendees, as well as the many new friends who participated this year.”

Enthusiastic ticket holders got a close-up look at the incredible Tuscan-style country home of restaurant owners Jeffrey and Paige Gehris, where Jeffrey could be found on the loggia cooking up some delicious appetizers in his outdoor oven.

At the Magnolia Street home of Christian and Jennifer Kerr-Marsch, visitors were also treated to a tour of the couple’s pottery studio, housed in a detached building on the property, and were able to watch Jennifer throw kitchenware items on her potter’s wheel.

Jennifer Kerr Marsch throws a pot during the tour

Poinsettias lined the walkway leading to the comfortable 1900s Florida Beachside Bungalow of Realtor Melissa Latty. The festively decorated home was filled with Christmas cheer, including a huge “piano-playing” Teddy bear that brought smiles to visitors’ faces as they entered the front door.

Piano music greeted tour-goers at the elegant home of cooking school instructors Ed and Nora Pankonin on Art Center Avenue. A pianist played the lovely 1907 Fisher Grand Piano in the Pankonin’s living room. The home was beautifully decorated by Pink Flamingo at Petals and incorporated Ed’s “nutcracker” collection throughout the house. Nora greeted visitors in the kitchen, where she was making delicious Italian bread.

Nora and Ed Pankonin make bread

The serene Turnbull Bay home of former Dade County school administrators Russ and Marcine Wheatley was beautifully decorated for the holidays by New Smyrna Beach Florist to complement the couple’s wonderful art, antique, china and glassware collections, as well as the tranquil natural landscape just outside their back door.

Contemporary and antique elements combined with stunning results in the beautifully renovated Island-style home of consultant and interior designer Palmer and Diane Wilson. The Christmas tree in the home’s foyer was decorated in shades of burgundy and green. Next to the tree a doll from Diane’s collection rode an antique “horse” tricycle. The Wilson’s collection of holiday dinnerware was also on display.

tour-goers admire fish ornaments

The popular IMAGES Boutique was a hit with tour-goers. It was filled with hand-painted shirts, appliquéd aprons, jewelry, painted table cloths, flowers made from recycled materials, seashell adorned flowerpots and mirrors, decoupage vases, Christmas tree ornaments, adorned wicker baskets, and other unique and lovely items ACA League volunteers worked countless hours all-year-long to create. The boutique also offered an elegant array refreshments to ticket holders.

Tour-goers also received an up-close look at what it takes to put on a community theatre production. The Little Theatre, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization hosts eight live performances each year, as well as education in the performing arts. Docents and tour guides offered narration for each area of the theatre, described features and answered questions. For more information about the Little Theatre, call (386) 423-1246.

Scene from Oliver at the Little Theatre

The IMAGES committee warmly thanks the homeowners for graciously opening their homes and making the tour possible. Appreciation also goes out to the many hard-working volunteers and the participating florists: Lindley’s Nursery and Garden Center, New Smyrna Beach Florist, Pink Flamingo at Petals; and businesses that support the Tour of Homes. Organizers would also like to thank the community for supporting this year’s tour and making it such a big success.

For more information about IMAGES, to volunteer or become a patron, phone the IMAGES office at 386-423-4733, or visit www.imagesartfestival.org.

All photos copyright by Sandi Carroll.

Light Up Flagler postponed until Dec. 11

Light Up Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach has been postponed until Dec. 11 because of the storm front moving through the state today.

The annual Light Up Flagler Avenue holiday celebration scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4 had to be postponed due to severe weather conditions.

The festive holiday event has been rescheduled to take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11 on Flagler Avenue, beachside New Smyrna Beach.

The Merchants Association will host free live entertainment by school groups, choirs, strolling carolers and there will be wonderful light displays.

Most merchants will have an open house at their place of business, while serving refreshments, and will be decorated for the season. Merchants will also be competing for the “Best Window Display” and “Best Building.” The winners will be announced at 7 p.m. at the gazebo.

The entertainment schedule will include: Read-Pattillo Elementary School Chorus, Black Belt Academy & East Coast Cheer, Ashley LeBlanc, live flame-working and glass-working demonstrations at Galleria di Vetro, NSB High School Jazz Ensemble, NSBMS Stingray Stingers Dance Team,  The Marine Discovery Center Carolers and The Friends and Carolers of the Little Theatre of NSB.

School clubs and organizations have also been invited to participate in the evening’s festivities and do some fund-raising for their group by selling glow necklaces, water, hot chocolate, popcorn and do some face-painting.

Flagler Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from Peninsula Avenue to Atlantic Avenue from 5-8 p.m. Come shop in the avenue’s unique boutiques, stores and galleries or dine in one of the fine restaurants while enjoying the festivities. It will be the perfect night for your family to celebrate the start of the holiday season.

For more information, please call (386) 427-2256 or email merchantsofflaglerave@gmail.com.

It is not too late to get IMAGES Tour of Homes tickets

There’s still time to get your IMAGES Tour of Homes tickets

IMAGES Chair Betty McNamara (left) and IMAGES Coordinator Nance Koch are pictured with some the colorful flowers volunteers made using recycled soda bottles, along with lots of paint, embellishments and creativity

It is not too late to get your tickets for the Saturday, Dec. 5th IMAGES Tour of Homes, presented by Atlantic Center for the Arts. The tour benefits IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts, which will be held Jan 30 & 31 in downtown New Smyrna Beach.
The IMAGES Tour of Homes will present six unique and fascinating homes festively decorated for the holidays, and a fantastic boutique featuring handmade gift items, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. this Saturday.
Featured homes will include:
·        The incredible Tuscan-style country home of restaurant owners Jeffrey and Paige Gehris on Canova Drive
·        The early 1900s “Florida Bungalow” home of Grace Realty owner Melissa Latty on North Peninsula Avenue
·        The artistic home and pottery studio of artists Christian and Jennifer Kerr-Marsch on Magnolia Street
·        The elegant and comfortable home of cooking school instructors Ed and Nora Pankonin on Arts Center Avenue.
·        The Turnbull Bay “perfect retirement” home of former Dade County school administrators Russ and Marcine Wheatley on Osprey Cove Drive
·        The beautifully renovated Island-style home of consultant and interior designer Palmer and Diane Wilson on Donlon Drive

The IMAGES Tour Boutique will be held at the Whatmore Commons at Atlantic Center, 1414 Art Center Avenue, and will feature refreshments and fantastic items created by the talented artists from the ACA Volunteer League.

Marsha Lundy holds one of the seashell embellished mirrors created by members of ACA Volunteer League members.

The group has been working hard since last year, meeting each week to create unique gift items and festive hand-made decorations. Items for sale will include hand painted shirts, appliquéd aprons, jewelry, painted table cloths, flowers made from recycled materials, seashell adorned flowerpots and mirrors, decoupage vases, Christmas tree ornaments, adorned wicker baskets, Judi Dold mermaids, Mosquito Mud Pottery tiles created by Jennifer Kerr-Marsch, glass ornaments by Gallery di Vetro and much more.

The Tour also includes a visit to the Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach, which is holding a special holiday production through Dec. 6 of the classic Tony Award-winning “Oliver!”

Jenny Kaiser is pictured with one of the fantastic hand-painted shirts that will be for sale at the IMAGES Tour of Homes Boutique.

Tickets for the IMAGES Tour of Homes and Boutique are $20 and are available at:
Atlantic Center at Harris House, 214 S. Riverside Drive, NSB
Atlantic Center for the Arts, 1414 Art Center Avenue, NSB
BJ’s Flowers & Plants, 917 S. Ridgewood Avenue, Edgewater
Lindley’s Nursery & Garden Center, 1232 Canal Street, NSB
New Smyrna Beach Florist, 121 Flagler Avenue, NSB
Pink Flamingo at Petals, 810 E. Third Avenue, NSB

For more information, call (386) 423-4733, or e-mail images@imagesartfestival.org.

Copyright photos by Sandi Carroll

Flamingo Follies – great art and beautiful weather

Linda Knight won Best of Show at Flamingo Follies for her sculpture "Tim's House"

Jenny Stine and her colorful sea creatrues

Great weather, great art and lots of fun -  that was this year’s Flamingo Follies, sponsored by the City of New Smyrna Beach with assistance from the Merchants of Flagler Avenue.

Billie Lynn was the juror for the holiday art show. Awards presented are:

Best of Show, Linda Knight, Tim’s House

Purchase Award, Steve Hardock, Jetty Fishermen

Fiber/wearable art, Sharon Argabright, bracelet

Jewelry/glass, Kyle Carni, I Am Food

Oil/acrylics, Marta Crawford, Shining Through

Pastel /graphics, Christophe Cardot, Golden Spools

Photography/ mixed media, Harry Moulis, Night Heron

Sculpture/ceramics, Mina Heuslin, Lantana Lace

Watercolors, Dan Goad, untitled

Honorable Mention: Mike Batt, Rosemarie Brown, Peter Chu, John Davis, Byron Laurence, Mike Nelson, Rosemarie Seaman and Luigi Tumeo

Copyright photos by Sandi Carroll

Kyle Carni of Galleria di Vetro won the award for the Jewelry/Glass category

There was lots of sunshine and great art at Flamingo Follies this year.

Flamingo Follies featured live entertainment both days, Off Shore Duo entertained Sunday.

Jason Lott demonstrates flameworking on the porch at Galleria di Vetro.

Light Up Flagler Avenue Dec. 4

Light Up Flagler Avenue, the festive annual New Smyrna Beach beachside holiday celebration, will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Look for Santa at the corner of Flagler Avenue and Cooper Street. Santa and his sleigh will visit the avenue, courtesy of the Dream-A-Wish Foundation.

Santa and his sleigh will be at the intersection of Flagler and Pine at Light Up Flagler, courtesy of the Dream-A-Wish Foundation. Photo by Sandi Carroll

The merchants, in full holiday regalia, will be holding a  “Holiday Open House” and will be serving refreshments. They will also be competing for “Best WindowDisplay” and “Best Building” during the evening, with judging by three local dignitaries.

Everyone is invited to come out for an evening of holiday cheer. There will be lots of live entertainment by local youth groups and area choruses at different venues along the avenue. Groups performing will  including the Dance Factory, Coronado Methodist Chancel Choir Singers, American Martial Arts, NSB High School Jazz Ensemble, Edgewater Public School Primary Chorus, Black Belt Academy and East Coast Cheer, NSB Middle School Stingray Stingers Dance Team, Indian River Elementary School Chorus, as well as strolling carolers from the Marine Discovery Center the Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach.

The Grand Lighting will be held at 6 p.m. and the Merchants Association winners for “Best Window” and Best Building” will be announced by DJ Dennis at 7 p.m. at the Gazebo.

Flagler Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from Peninsula Avenue to Atlantic Avenue (just west of the Beacon Restaurant) from 5-8 p.m.

For more information about Light Up Flagler, call 427-2256, or e-mail merchantsofflaglerave@gmail.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