Support the Arts -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Why the arts matter, and what we can do to keep both alive in South Florida.

Dara and Jarett Levan had a great piece in the Sun-Sentinel last Saturday about the importance of the local arts community.  Some stats that jumped out at me were: "In Broward County, non-profit arts organizations generate over $150 million in total economic activity annually, with almost $90 million benefiting local restaurants, hotels, retailers, parking garages, and countless other businesses. There is also a significant increase in spending from "cultural tourists," compared to tourists who don't attend an arts event."

They even have some suggestions for how to get involved:

• Support your favorite arts organization by becoming a member or subscriber, sponsoring an event or making a charitable donation.
• Buy local art for gifts to friends and family.
• Purchase tickets to area performances and give them as gifts.
• Encourage your workplace to sponsor an arts organization or event.
• Work to elect leaders who support arts and culture and understand the importance of creating a vibrant community.
• Write an editorial about the value of arts education to your community.
• Join an arts advocacy organization, such as the Arts Action Alliance of Broward or Funding Arts Broward (FAB!).

Link to Sun-Sentinel Article

Elite Auction House Opens New Gallery in South Florida -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Elite Decorative Arts Opens New Gallery in South Florida

A new auction house has opened at the Town Center at 1034 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 106, in Boynton Beach.  They describe themselves as a  "New York-Style Auction Gallery" specializing in fine decorative arts, paintings, estate jewelry and gold. 

"South Florida has a vast array of antique and collectibles. Our gallery and auction facility is a perfect compliment to this elite market," said Chris Hayes, president of Elite Decorative Arts. "We are dedicated to providing the highest level of service when appraising, buying, or selling antiques."  The company noted that its website will contain online bidding of merchandise, auction results, a blog, updated news and press center, schedule of sales, Facebook and twitter links, as well as videos.  

I have not heard of Elite before and will be checking out their website and auction on October 30th.  If you have not been to an art auction before they can be very entertaining and educational; just make sure you keep your hands down until you know what you are doing!  GL

Link to article about Elite

Elite Website

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT -- David McLeish -- by Florida Fine Art Blog

Axiom Project, a traveling group show featuring International artists and the artwork of Florida Artist, David McLeish, opened its American leg of the tour in Brooklyn this past Saturday. The show runs for ten days and then will be moving to Philadelphia and then Tampa. The Pinion Gallery in Brooklyn is hosting the event. (Check gallery website for dates and times.) David McLeish with his business partner Matt Miley are the hosts of this leg of the art show which spent most of the summer touring European cities. The show is made up of about 7 artists who each committed new work and hosted the show in their home city.

Florida Artist David Mcleish Exhibition in Brooklyn on Saturday -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

"The Axiom is a group of International Artists who joined together to exhibit work and promote ideas on an international network."
This Saturday the group is having two shows open at once.  In Brooklyn they are opening at 12 noon and in Vienna at 7pm.  Both galleries will have video camera's and feeds to one an others space.   Everyone can check it out on Skype.  A Florida boy and damn good sculptor Dave Mcleish is one of the organizers and will be exhibiting new work.  The Pinion Gallery in Brooklyn and KRO ART in Vienna are hosting the international artist who will be showing work in a mixture of mediums.  This is a travelling exhibition with each artist playing host in their home city.  The show has been throughout Europe this summer and will be travelling to Philadelphia and Tampa before its end.  Check out the websites of each gallery for more information.  Dave will be the next Artist Spotlight Interview so look for that in the coming days.  GL

The Pinion Gallery website
KRO ART website
Axiom Project website

Clyde Butcher leaves the Swamp -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Clyde and his wife are leaving Big Cypress after almost 40 years.  Clyde will now stay at his second home and studio in Venice, Florida.  The Studio and Gallery in Big Cypress will remain open to the public.  What an amazing privilege it must have been to stay way out in the Glades for so many years.  Now that the Butchers are getting older it makes sense to move back to civilization but it must be hard.  Luckily for us the Gallery will remain open.

Nice article from the Everglades Foundations website about the move.

Miami Herald's VISUAL ARTS EVENTS CALENDAR - posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Its getting to be that time of year again, once the weather cools down a bit the Art Festivals start.  There is so much to see now in South Florida, it seems like there is an event every weekend.  Come December there is an important event every day.  What joy!  Better to start planning early.  Here to help is the Miami Herald's VISUAL ARTS EVENTS CALENDAR.

South Florida Artists Extravaganza in Delray this Saturday Night -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

This Saturday night, September 18th Kevro's Art Bar in Delray is hosting an art event featuring local artists!  There will be live music, poetry readings and new artwork displayed at the funky little bar.  Kevero's is just two blocks south of Atlantic Ave in downtown Delray.  This event is cover-free, but there will be a two-drink minimum (maybe you’ll even get a free comedy routine). Kevro’s Art Bar is located at 166 SE Second Ave. in Delray Beach. Call 561-274-0007.

Kevro's Art Bar website

The Ups and Downs of the Hirst Market -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

The Economist has an article this week about the roller coaster ride investors of Damien Hirst have been on the past few years. At the height pieces sold for over $150 million dollars.  No other artist has commanded such high prices but the bubble that was created by the over exuberant buyers has certainly burst. 

The Economist --

Hands up for Hirst / How the bad boy of Brit-Art grew rich at the expense of his investors

Buildings You Have to See Before You Die -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Fun article from AOL Travel about all the great new museums being built around the world.  The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Pete is featured first!  I blogged about the new Dali museum here.  GL

AOL Travel article can be found here.

Two Of Frank Lloyd Wright Houses Up For Sale -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

The LA Times had an article today about two Frank Lloyd Wright houses that can't find any buyers.  The Ennis House in LA and the Alice Millard House in Pasadena both designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1920's are up for sale.  The Ennis House was originally put on the market last summer for $15 million and is now reduced to $7.5 million.  The Millard House is priced at $5 million down from $7.8 million.  Both houses are made of Wright's trademark textile-block building system and both show the influence of Mayan Architecture.  The foundations that oversee the historic homes found they could no longer afford the high cost of restoration and maintenance and are now looking for buyers.  What is more incredible than having two Wright houses up for sale at the same time is that there appears to be no buyers.  Could the housing market in California be that bad? GL

LA Times Article about the Houses for Sale

The Ennis House Website

The Alice Millard House Website

Hale Woodruff -- Happy Birthday -- by Florida Fine Art Blog

Hale Woodruff - August 26, 1900 - September, 1980

This is the birthday of the great muralist Hale Woodruff.  Know as a painter and printmaker Mr. Woodruff spent most of his life working and teaching at many of Georgia's colleges. 

Tap into creative right brain through art -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Article from The Financial Times about the importance of creative expression in the development of right brain thinking.  Harvard Medical students are now taking 10-week art appreciation courses.  Critically analyzing paintings has been demonstrated to help future physicians hone skills in assessing a patient's symptoms. GL
Read More:The Financial Times

Art Dealer Helps Police Arrest Suspected Art Thieves in Coral Gables -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

A Miami couple who allegedly stole paintings from a warehouse in Miami were then caught in an FBI sting trying to sell the stolen paintings to a Miami art gallery. 

Article at WSVN TV News

It's amazing what walks through your doors as a gallery owner.  Fine art galleries, like jewelry and antique stores, get very sophisticated criminals and a fair share of idiot scam artists.  The first month I opened my gallery on Las Olas a man came in with a photograph of a painting he said he was willing to sell.  He claimed it was a small watercolor of northern Florida by Winslow Homer.  I was intrigued at first knowing the famous artist did come down to Florida for a short while.  When I asked for the price and how soon he could bring the painting into the gallery he began his big pitch.  You see he liked me, I know we just met, but he really really liked me.  The painting he claimed was worth $100,000 to $200,000 but because he liked me I could buy the painting from him for just $5,000.  Of course he would need the money immediately and would then ship the painting to me when he got back home.  I would have to trust him and buy the painting without even inspecting it, and why not, he really liked me.  I passed on that offer and many like that over the years.  What criminals don't know is that most art galleries are in touch with each other and the FBI.  We often share information about possible stolen works of art.  GL

MOMA App for the iPhone -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

MOMA in New York has a new application for the iPhone and iPad.  With the new app you will have access to the museum's extensive collection of modern and contemporary art and database plus a dictionary of art terms, calendar of exhibitions and playlists of audio tours.

I have been downloading audio tours for museum shows to my iPod for the past few years.  Sotheby's even has video podcasts now of their auction results.  It is great to see the visual artists take advantage of all these new media devices.  I would like to see all the great private and public collections easily accessible like MOMA's.   The impact of the artists' skills is often lost in a digital image but the possibility of watching a slide show with audio commentary of a newly opened exhibition half way around the world is very appealing. Of course nothing will ever take the place of seeing the work live.  GL


You can find the article here

St Pete Museum Gets a New Director -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

By Lennie Bennett, St Petersburg Times Art Critic

St. Petersburg's Museum of Fine Arts names Kent Lydecker as new director

ST. PETERSBURG — The Museum of Fine Arts has a new director. Board of trustees president Seymour Gordon announced Monday that Kent Lydecker has been selected to head the institution, which has been a cultural anchor of the city since it opened in 1965.  This is the first directorship for Lydecker, 61, but he has held senior staff positions at major museums.  He replaces John Schloder, who retired in July after nine years as director. Lydecker plans to start in October. 
"I met the search committee in early July," he said. "It was my first time here. I was blown away. It's a beautiful city, a beautiful building with a wonderful collection."

Link to Article at the Times