Hosting Harmony Jones at next Island City Art Walk Friday 2/17

Next Friday, February 17th, from 7PM until 10PM, Wilton Manors Main Street throws open its doors to the Island City Art Walk. 

The Island City Art Walk is a wonderful chance for you to see the businesses of Wilton Manors with a selection of noted artists of many different traditions, from Painting, to Photography, Sculpture and Mixed Media. 

We are happy to participate in this wonderful event, and this month we are going to host noted artist Harmony Jones.  Ms. Jones is a local artist who will bring to us her national reputation and her works of note for all to see.

In her own words, she is:

A contemporary mixed-media painter and sculptor, Harmony attended a private art college in Portland, Oregon and began showing professionally in 2003. Harmony has shown her work locally over the past six years in South Florida – from Palm Beach through Fort Lauderdale, and into North Miami and Wynwood Art District. She also has collectors in Los Angeles, Seattle, St. Louis and New York City.

Harmony's work is contextualized largely of acrylics and mixed media, and she often incorporates recycled materials and found objects into her paintings and sculptures. She primarily works out of her home studio in South Florida.

Harmony has completed public commissioned mural projects and her work has been featured in regional arts magazines.

As the Co-Founder of the non-profit, Inside Out Art And Wellness, she shares her passion for creating with individuals and groups of all ages and brings her art education experiences across the region.

To view more of Harmony’s work you can visit her at:  www.harmonyjones.org

Noted Photographer Robert Grauer will be Hosted at the next Island City Art Walk

Local Artist Robert Grauer will be with us on Friday January 20th for this month's Island City Art Walk from 7pm until 10pm.   We invite you to stop by for a visit and see this local artist's exciting work!


Robert takes his inspiration from nature photography and his exhibits will show some of the reasons why we all feel that South Florida is so special.  This particular picture is of Pine Glades Lake in the Everglades, and Robert brings to it his experience to show us why this World Treasure should be protected.

In Robert's own words:

"When the light or the sky are just right, I become one with the environment, no longer merely an observer. Its a spiritual experience for me capturing nature's incredible ever changing beauty. Whether deep in Big Cypress Swamp or on a deserted stretch of beach at sunrise, sharing the beauty of these places through my photography brings me great joy."

Robert Grauer

You may see his art for yourself at our offices at the Gables Wilton Park, 2164 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, Florida from 7 to 10PM January 20th.  We are all looking forward to visiting with you!

Hosting Photographers Strauss and Adams at the Next Island City Art Walk

On Friday December 17, 2011, Wilton Manors Main Street is proud to announce our participation in the next Island City Art Walk by hosting the landscape photography of Roy Adams and Scott Strauss.

Roy and Scott are local photographers who we are fortunate enough to call neighbors here in Wilton Manors.  Their love of landscapes and scenery is evident in their choice of subjects both of the local scene and such places as the Rocky Mountains, Canadian Rockies and the French Alps.

You will have a chance to visit with the Artists, and with us at Wilton Manors Main Street on Friday from 7PM until 10PM and find out more about their art.  For now, you can read more about them in the Press Release, Below.

Roy Adams and Scott Strauss

Roy Adams has enjoyed taking photographs for as long as he can remember. He realized a life-long dream when he graduated from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. He has photographed weddings and parties under his own name, Roy Adams Photography. He loves travel photography as well and enjoys seeing other's reaction to his work. He has won several awards in the juried art show held each year by the Allied Artists of Schuylkill County, Pottsville, PA, including honorable mention in the 2008 show.

Scott Strauss fell in love with photography at an early age. He remembers that his first camera was a Kodak Mickey Mouse film camera which required flash cubes. He used to play with nature photography in college and really developed a love for it once he moved to Florida. Scott loves the vast amount of flowers available in south Florida and enjoys taking macro pictures of them to capture the detail close up. In 2006, he entered the Arts United - United & Proud Exhibit and won “Best In Show” for a group of floral photos, each a different color of the rainbow. Scott also enjoys traveling and taking nature photography all around the world. His favorite places to photograph include the Rocky Mountains, Canadian Rockies, and French Alps.

This year, for the Island City Art Walk season, Roy and Scott are featuring their photography printed on canvas.  www.rassphotography.com

Island City Art Walk is on for 2011

The season begins soon!  The official press release has been sent out, and you will have a chance to experience the Island City Art Walk for another season.

Like their web page says:

Island City, Inc. is pleased to announce our 6th season of the Island City Art Walk. The art walk will resume on November 18, 2011. The public is invited!


The Island City Art Walk is held on the 3rd Friday of each month, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., November through April, along the 1.1 mile Wilton Drive, in the Wilton Manors Art and Entertainment District. The official participants include galleries, eclectic stores, cafes, boutiques and upscale restaurants, which will host over 40 local artists. This is a grassroots collaboration bringing culture and business together for the public to enjoy.

The Island City Art Walk press release with all the good news follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact: Mary Ellen Charapko, 954.547.9014
info@islandcityartwalk.com  /  www.islandcityartwalk.com

Wilton Manors, Florida_____________November 8, 2011
 
Announcing our 6^th Island City Art Walk Season!

A Collaboration of Fine Art and Business

Friday, November 18th, 7 – 10 pm

 
Wilton Drive, in Wilton Manors is the place to be on the evening of Friday, November 18, 2011. The Drive will be bustling with people. Local artists will offer a variety of original works: paintings, photography and sculpture. Stroll along The Drive or ride the free trolley along and discover the eclectic businesses of one of the coolest towns in South Florida: Wilton Manors. Plan to have dinner in one of Wilton Manor’s fine restaurants before, or after the Art Walk. Meet over 40 local artists and consider purchasing a special piece of fine art.

  
Mary Ellen Charapko, of the Ellen Charapko Gallery, is the founder and organizer of the grassroots, mile long, Island City Art Walk. This “private party function” began in December 2006. The Island City Art Walk business sponsors continue to raise cultural awareness in Broward County and have contributed to economic growth in Wilton Manors. Charapko and the sponsoring businesses on Wilton Drive are solid “supporters of the arts.” Please join us for an easy-going, fun evening on The Drive.

The Island City Art Walk is a 3rd Friday night of the month free, art function, which runs November through April. The public is invited.

This is the first Island City Art Walk for the 2011-2012 Season! Please join us.

For more information go to www.islandcityartwalk.com, or call 954.547.9014.

 
Wilton Manors is situated between Sunrise Blvd. and Oakland Park Blvd. East of I-95 and West of Federal Highway. Please see Directions/Map Page for further information: http://www.islandcityartwalk.com/directions.html

Island City, Inc . Ellen Charapko Gallery . Mangum Gallery

Gallery XO . IberiaBank . Bona Italian Restaurant . The Manor

Art Frenzie . Naked Grape Wine Bar . Wilton’s Bier Garden & More

To The Moon Marketplace . Shades of The Past . Chic Optique

Wilton Manors Main Street . Mo Jo’s Barber Shop . Atlantic Properties

Rodeo Restaurant . Georgie’s Alibi . Island City Traders . Sozo Sushi Bar

Island City Eyecare . DaVinci Realty Group . World Treasures

White Glove Antiques . Pinché Taqueria Mexican Restaurant

Eastside Management . Joe Pallant Insurance . Copy This

                                                                     ###

Wilton Manors Main Street Hosts Thom Cassotta At the next Island City Art Walk

This Friday, April 15th (have you got your taxes done?), Wilton Manors Main Street will be hosting a third artist.

Thom Cassotta will join us from 7pm until 10pm at our office with his characteristic works of texture.  These works are in mixed media and can be creations of art of whatever catches his eye.  

In the artist's own words:


Texture Works

These original works began with a combination of acrylic paint and textured papers, most of which I have made myself. Using stipple brush, sponge, tissue paper, rages, crackle paint, burlap, metallic paint, rice paper and miscellaneous findings, I cut and arrange the papers before applying an acrylic gel.

Some work is totally original from start to finish.

Some work has a photographic base with additional paper cuttings applied over it.  Because this 2nd step is always different, no two pieces are exactly the same.

Some work has been reproduced into Art Prints.

My inspiration harks back to the 2nd grade of school, where the teacher encouraged me to just have fun with crayons. Next she passed out watercolors and instructed me to apply them over the crayon sketch.  The wax-crayons resisted the watercolors and produced vibrant textural results which were amazing.  This visual stimulation never left….and put me ion a lifelong search for new color and texture combinations.

A few decades later….

I graduated from Paier College of Art, did a summer semester at the Palazzo Gallenga, Perugia, Italy and did a “Sketching Tour” of Brazil through Pratt Institute.

Now in my late 50’s, I’ve lived my entire adult life supported by the sales of my artwork.  And with this newer textural work, it feels like I’ve made some departure back to the 2nd grade…..and loving it.

Thom Cassotta

Last Island City Art Walk Before the Rainy Season Friday April 15th

This Friday Night is your last official Island City Art Walk before the Rainy Season.  We have a press release from the Island City Art Walk, Inc for you with all of the details.

Contact: Mary Ellen Charapko

954.547.9014 phone

info@islandcityartwalk.com

www.islandcityartwalk.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Last Island City Art Walk Before the Rainy Season

Wilton Manors, (Ft Lauderdale), Florida, April 9, 2011________The Island City Art Walk has captured the attention of the entire surrounding tri-county art community. Start your weekend with great art, great energy and an easy-going atmosphere. The Island City Art Walk begins at 7 pm until 10 pm on Friday, April 15th. This will be the last art walk for this season.      
Five years ago (2006), gallery owner and director, Mary Ellen Charapko developed a fresh concept, something that had not been tried before in Broward County, a collaboration of local art and business in the form of an “art walk,” bringing fine art, pop-up galleries, music, and even theatre, into a one-evening function. Island City Art walk was introduced to Wilton Manors and it became an overnight success on the third Friday of the month. The Island City Art Walk was founded before the recession, but, before and during this recession, it has been an invaluable means to drive business into town. Just recently, surrounding towns, including adjacent town, Fort Lauderdale (Las Olas Boulevard), have taken note and are now beginning to start their own art walks, collaborating business and local fine art. 

The Island City Art Walk is a stress-free function meant to enrich the general public and encourage the creation of art in Broward County. There will be over 30 business sponsors along the drive sponsoring over 40 artists. The Island City Art Walk is free to the artists and free to the attendees. Many of the businesses along the drive serve refreshments. A free trolley is also provided for the public.

The featured local artist for the April, Island City Art Walk, is Barbara J. Lloyd who will be exhibiting her paintings at Island City Eye Care. Lynn Dolan and Claudia Castillo will present fine art at Wilton Manors Main Street. IberiaBank, White Glove Antiques, Shades of the Past Antiques, The Manor, Gallery XO, To The Moon Marketplace, Pink Submarine and Art Frenzie are some of the businesses collaborating with local artists. Mangum Gallery will be featuring ceramist, Ken Butler. Island City Traders will be featuring the photography of Mitchell Bloch. The contemporary works of Julio Green will be shown at the Naked Grape Wine Bar. Golding-Savino will present a variety of art in collaboration with Galerie Lausberg (Toronto & Germany), curated by Mariavelia Savino and will be located at Gables Wilton Park. Directly next–door, a solo exhibition by Florida nature photographer, Peter J. Nolan, The Florida Series, will be featured in Ellen Charapko Gallery, Alternative Space. Ellen Charapko Gallery will feature a solo, Flawed Perfection by Madrid artist, Alberto Murillo.

Mary Ellen Charapko, Owner/Director of Ellen Charapko Gallery and owner of Island City, Inc., is the producer and organizer of the grassroots, Island City Art Walk, a mile long, “private party function” which began in December 2006. The Island City Art Walk sponsors and artists continue to promote cultural awareness in Broward County and contributed to the economic growth in Wilton Manors. Charapko and the sponsor businesses on Wilton Drive are solid “supporters of the arts.” Come and join us for an artful evening on The Drive!

Please see Directions/Map Page for further information: http://www.islandcityartwalk.com/directions.html

A Glance From the Catwalk, 2009, Barbara J. Lloyd, 48 x 36 in, Acrylic on Canvas