July Arts Update

Wow, it's been exactly a month since I managed to leave a new blog! And its not for lack of art events either! Between setting up the Osceola Art in Public Places schedule, teaching Summer Art Camp at St. Cloud Arts, hanging at 1st Thursday at the Orlando Museum of Art, Striking the AKA Feminati:Sacrifice Show and personally showing work at both Urban Think! Bookstore and Mel's Bad Girl Club: Sensory Overload show at City Arts Factory for 3rd Thursday, I'd say it's been a pretty amazing month for art here in Central Florida!

Coming up at The Beauty Spot on July 30th in College Park Feminati:LIVE will be in full swing with artists Patrick Fatica, Patricia Stever, Beth Hughes Juliana Davidson and Nyahzul with media coverage by 407 Oasis, PrettyCity.com and Orlando Style - it will be the place to BE from 6-9p! Also be sure to check out the Feminati:SACRIFICE video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcPtBrH4HLg - special thanks to Ken Burgland for producing the video!

On a less encouraging note - City Arts Factory has had to reduce it's staff down to 2 people - the Executive Director and a Marketing Director along with Board volunteers... this meant that Chuck Dinkins the former Facilities Director was relieved of his position after 2 long and hard working years of keeping order in the metro-friendly downtown art space. Chuck will be sincerely missed for his inspiration and mad support for the arts and music - but we know that he will not be disappearing into the shadows of Orlando, Chuck has always been a key element for the arts in Central Florida, and will continue to do so!

Great week for artwork!

What an amazing week of art shows! This past Third Thursday Artwork was jam packed with wonderful shows including my own FEMiNATi:SACRIFICE which will air on YouTube later this month!

Last night Will's Pub hosted 'People you know & Things you shouldn't' a really great photography show followed up by performances by The Little Debbies and Gargamel!

Check local listings for tonights long list of art events ranging from The Black Box in Downtown Orlando to LOT 1433 at a private residence in Maitland and a little Fake Art Reception hosted by Apartment E.

I am thrilled to see the hustle & bustle of creative minds doing what they do best and GETTING AWAY with it!

Coming up this week - FEMiNATi:LIVE at The Beauty Spot in Winter Park - visit www.feminati.com for more information!

The State of the Visual Arts in Osceola

I would like to take a moment to share some incite on the latest state of arts with the Osceola Center for the Arts. The Center is currently facing our largest cut in funding in over 4 years. It appears that we may be losing both our County funding and Tourist Development Advertising dollars. With out the County funding the Visual Arts Dept. will be cut severely and may stand to lose it's Art in Public Places program completely and be forced to change my current part time contracted salary to a month to month commission on each art show. The Osceola Art Festival would have to reduce its advertising from $50K to $10K and we have already budgeted to cut prize money and other amenities which may also include cutting more salary for planning and directing the show. In order for the Festival to hold it's weight we will need to increase sponsorships significantly.

I am asking that if anyone has any ideas on how to keep the programs running or other funding options please let me know. The CAA has been operating as a membership based on participation in Art in Public Places and the email news letter, but we may need to look at banding together with more volunteer efforts and monthly meetings to keep it going.

When Phyllis Ross asked if I would like to step into her position with the Center 3 years ago, I wasn't sure if I was the right fit for the job, but now, I can't imagine giving it up. I care deeply for and am so proud of the reputation that we have built in Osceola County over the past few years! I am hopeful that some how we can maintain the momentum that we've gained and keep it moving in a positive direction for us all!

Thank you for taking the time to let me bend your ears,
Jules Davidson
Director of Visual Arts
Osceola Center for the Arts

New Artwork at The Beauty Spot - TONIGHT!

I'm very excited to introduce a new series of mixed media work tonight, May 28th from 7-9p at The Beauty Spot in College Park featuring FEMiNATi:LIVE. The work consists of original photos or prints of my past work with other elements all sewn into he canvas with a textured back round. So far I've completed 4 new pieces and will be working on a 5th one tonight.

Tonight's show will include Patrick Fatica, Patricia Calderon, Nyahzul, Patricia Stever, Patrick Tafoya and myself, Juliana Davidson. Please come out and join us! Feminati participates in The Beauty Spot's monthly receptions alternating between their College Park and Winter Park locations every month and is a great way for local artists to mixe and mingle with new people as well as introduce new people to the local art scene. For more information visit www.feminati.com.

Florida Music Festival

With a last minute invitation from a good friend of mine, I was invited out to catch a sliver of Saturday nights Florida Music Festival at The Social in Downtown Orlando. Although Terra Terra Terra definitely fit a decent radio song profile it was Lindsey Mac that was a surprise and pleasure to sit back and listen to. Based in Boston the heavy folk trio appears to be in flux with regards to a full name for the band, throwing out the potential of becoming Lindsey Mac and the Bad Breath. The lead singer slaps on the cello as if it were a mandolin serving as the bass, the female percussionist sat upon a cajon drum with an array of jingles at her side and the gentleman playing the acoustic guitar also played keyboard... all in all Lindsey Mac carried a great upbeat tune and hook with each song, and as always the barkeep at The Social are quick to pour and worthy of steady tipping!

May 5th - Juried Art Show Reception

What an amazing night! Tuesday, May 5th marked the 19th Annual Juried Art Show at the Osceola Center for the Arts and it was a total hit! Great attendance, free wine and refreshments and an utterly beautiful display of local artwork. This year we had 53 participants, 70% of which are local to Osceola County! The Center gave out 5 $150 1st prizes and 1 Best of Show in the amount of $500 to Stefan Alexandres for his wall sculpture - "New Day."

Stop in between now and May 28th to see the show at The Osceola Center for the Arts from 9-5/M-F for more information visit www.ocfta.com.

So much to do!

I can't wait to really get my thoughts in order for this blog! There are so many great events going on these days! Last night was the '99 bottles of beer on the wall' fundraiser at Will's Pub. Artists hand painted and sculpted over and generally rocked beer bottles for the sake of Harbor House!

Today St. Cloud, FL celebrates its 100 year anniversary with and arts and craft fair, St. Cloud Gift Gallery, St. Cloud Arts (Incubator), New York Artists Shop, Urban Betty, and House of Envy are just a few of the great stops to make today if you decide to join the festivities. The night will end with fireworks at the Lake Front at 8:45!