Wednesday, February 13, 2013
'We are still very vital. The interest is still there. Instead of vegetating in an old folks home, you are able to fulfill something within yourself.' – 86-year-old Artist Mary Wilder Paul.
Creating studio art, conversing in Spanish, practicing yoga, and sampling world cuisine are among the lifelong learning and enrichment opportunities at The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay in South Pasadena. No, The Fountains is not community college for seniors. It is just one of the more innovative examples of independent living residences for seniors in southwest Florida. As seniors and caregivers consider selling the family home or pondering next steps, independent living residences often are the answer. 'We are still very vital. The interest is still there. Instead of vegetating in an old folks home, you are able to fulfill something within yourself,' said Artist Mary Wilder Paul, 86, on the art studio and other lifelong learning …
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The economy’s downward spiral was a turning point for Jill Kalber. For her, a therapeutic hobby turned into a full time job.
Stroll along Beach Boulevard on a Tuesday morning and you'll likely pass by Jill Kalber's table and tent featuring one-of-a-kind scarves during the Gulfport Fresh Market. Behind the set up and vibrantly colored fabrics is a story of a woman who perfected a craft after falling victim to the ailing economy. Three years ago, Jill Kalber was laid off from the Tampa Bay Times. She played a vital management role in the company, overseeing a team of 16. The lay off was hard for Kalber, but she trekked on. Prior to her career at the newspaper, she worked on a cruise ship. With her time at sea, Kalber was able to travel the world. One destination from her travels still sticks out to Kalber. She was just outside of Russia when she purchased her …
Monday, May 14, 2012
Saturday’s SoStudio Tour brought behind-the-scenes insight to the masses.
Once again, Gulfport lives up to its reputation of being an art community. A rare connection between local artists paves the way for events like Saturday’s SoStudio Tour. Each participating artist was given the chance to present their studio to the public, artwork and all. Last year’s trial run of the SoStudio Tour was kept small with just five studios and one point of departure for guests. With the amount of support the event received, the 2012 showcased more than tripled. Saturday hosted 16 studios and three points of departure. “There was a lot of enthusiasm the first year, so then they told us to make it bigger,” said Andrea Royce. She is the Vice President of So49 and an event organizer. 16 area studios were featured along the route …
Friday, April 27, 2012
Nancy Cervenka went from studying cinematography to making sculptures from the very material she was learning about. Now, she’s a full time artist and loves every second of it.
She’s a Chicago native and an art enthusiast, a sculptor and a massage therapist. Nancy Cervenka seems to have it all planned out. But it wasn’t always that way. It took her some time to recognize her true calling to be an artist. While she was attending the University of South Florida in the ‘70s, Nancy Cervenka was earning her bachelor’s degree in fine arts. During her time in the undergraduate program, she discovered her love for film. Cervenka then decided to take her education to the next level and work on a masters in cinematography. In the process of earning her masters, one thing led to another and Cervenka began to experiment with the same material she was learning about: film. “As I was working with the film all the time, I …
Thursday, April 5, 2012
She has been all over the world, but local talent Jude Bagatti says that Gulfport will always be “home base.”
“I love traveling, but I like coming home too,” said Jude Bagatti. Throughout her adventures, Bagatti has touched down in places like Tanzania, China and Iceland. She also said that no place on earth compares to her home, in Gulfport. Bagatti, a licensed Reiki Massage Therapist, said that she lives her life with no regrets and that she has every intention of continuing to travel. After graduating from the University of Miami, Bagatti wanted to experience being a home owner. She hunted for a house up and down the west coast of Florida and landed in Gulfport, but Bagatti said it was by chance. “No one ever told me about Gulfport,” remembered Bagatti. “I discovered it on my own.” She came across the “Waterfront District” sign and followed …
Friday, March 23, 2012
Frank Strunk III boasts innovative style and an astounding work ethic that sets him apart from other artists. He will present the City of Gulfport with a piece of his renowned work this Saturday.
On a sunny day in Gulfport, Strunk is on deadline, busy completing a project that is due Saturday. Strunk and fellow Gulfport artist, Owen Pach, were commissioned by the Merchants’ Association to create signature pieces of work to be displayed at the entrance to Beach Boulevard. He takes a break from the task he hates to call work. Strunk, 47, is covered in soot and his hands are black from countless hours of metalwork. Nevertheless, he is prepared to share his story. It all started 17 years ago when Strunk moved to the area due to a lucrative real estate market for carpentry. After freelancing his skills for a year or so, Strunk was starting to see a trend in his down time. “There was always kind of a thread that lead me to more creative …
Monday, February 20, 2012
Tom Pitzen's new and improved sign at Clymer Park was officially put into place this weekend in Gulfport.
A mass of people gathered at Clymer Park to welcome Tom Pitzen's artwork to Gulfport on Saturday night. Mayor Mike Yakes, Vice Mayor David Hastings and Council Member Barbara Banno were on hand to share in the welcoming ceremony. "I think Tom is awesome," said Mayor Yakes. "And I love the sculpture." In his welcoming speech, Yakes spoke about the coldest day of the year and how Pitzen was hard at work in the freezing weather. Sleet was falling and winds were blowing. But "you could just tell his passion in what he was doing," the mayor said about Pitzen. Gulfport resident Gym Fish was capturing the ceremony in pictures. He was a fan of the new addition to Clymer Park. "It's much more 'Gulfport' than the old sign," said Fish. "I think the …
On Saturday night, the monthly event was a draw for neighbors near and far.
The Third Saturday Art Walk brought the masses to Gulfport this weekend. More than 50 artists were able to strut their stuff along Beach Boulevard. Gulfport was like a giant canvas. Artists seemed to be everywhere. Some crafters created on the spot, while customers watched and bought goods. Live entertainers frequented the stretch, giving people something to talk about. Musicians performed originals as well as covers. The Industrial Arts Center opened up for mini-sessions and observations of glass-pro Jackie Ballard. Along with the slew of artists and crafters, the masses were also able to stop in the many boutiques, restaurants and galleries on the block. The next art walk is scheduled for the First Friday of the month, which is March 2.
Monday, February 13, 2012
On Sunday, the 2Cool Art Show filled the ballroom with more than 40 artists selling and displaying art, jewelry and crafts.
Gulfport joined forced with the Professional Association of Visual Artists to bring the community a day of artistic enjoyment. The event was free and open to the public. Music was played live on the ballroom's piano while artists displayed and sold their work from vendor spaces. Jewelry, fine art photography, painting and sculpting were a few of the mediums on hand at the 2Cool Art Show on Sunday. The ballroom boasted a full service bar that was a popular stop on art lovers that came out for the event. The 2Cool Art Show drew artists from all around the bay, including Palm Harbor, Tampa, Port Charlotte and of course, Gulfport.
27.73777
-82.707808
The Gulfport Casino Ballroom
5500 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport, FL
/articles/2cool-art-show-takes-over-the-gulfport-casino-ballroom
938288
/locations/8477076
Sunday's showcase of tastefully erotic art came just in time for the love-infused holiday.
The Schork-Munsell Studios 2 demonstrated their first ever group show on Sunday with Ars Erotica. Translated from Latin, the title means "Erotic Art." A number of artists were featured including the studios' neighbor, Owen Pach and the owner of Schork-Munsell, Jonathan Schork. "I wanted to create an opportunity for artists to express themselves in a single theme in whatever medium they work," said Schork. Paintings, sculptures and other displays of erotic art filled the studio. Jonathan Schork is also an artist. To name a few of his mediums: Schork paints, photographs, writes and sculpts. He was excited for Sunday's event to unravel. Schork said that he wanted to do a themed showcase in honor of St. Valentine's Day. "It's romantic and it's…
27.74104
-82.70722
The schork~munsell studios 2
5437 29th Ave S, Gulfport, FL
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2045154
/locations/6366413
Cherlene Willis
8:08 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012
Wow! I see new photos! Thanks Jeri Reed! more ›