An agreement was completed for several juried exhibitions co-sponsored by Orlando Health, Inc. Lake Mary and the Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) as part of the Art In Public Places program in Seminole County.
The new facilities for Orlando Health, Inc. (commonly called ORMC) on Rinehart Road will include a free-standing Emergency Department and associated Medical Complex. The grand opening was held on September 13th and 14th and included artworks by local artists. The new buildings have been specifically designed with unique lobby spaces and wall features to highlight the community art component. The inaugural exhibit, “Mind Body Soul Wellness”, is expected to hang for 4-6 months. 
            

​(Sanford, 8//19) THE CENTER FOR FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS AT SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE HOSTS
Latinx Festival of Fine & Performing Arts
October 3-5, 2019
Gallery Opening: Jose Betancourt Cuba: Reconstructing Memories
Campus:  Sanford/Lake Mary
Location:  J109
Date:  Thursday, Oct 3, 2019
Time:  5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Event Details:
The fall gallery season begins with José Betancourt Cuba: Reconstructing Memories. Jose's life changed forever, literally in a matter of minutes. With his suitcase and a toy plane, Betancourt traveled with his parents from Havana, Cuba to Miami, Florida. The flight was part of the Freedom Flights that carried over 250,000 Cubans to a new life in the United States between 1965 to 1973. Everything was left behind except what Betancourt and his family could carry. As a five-year-old he had no idea what this meant. For this exhibition, Betancourt chose to assemble a group of photographs that are initiated by memory. Part of his method was to write down what he remembered and apply the photographic technique that best communicated his unclear image. The pictures are usually missing something or manipulated to a surreal state. Sometimes they seem as simple as the artist’s memories.

Opening is October 3rd and will close on November 4th, 2019. Don Soledad, guitarist, will perform at the opening.

Exhibit's location is in Building J 109 and is free and open to the public
Gallery hours: Mon - Thurs 11 am - 4 pm 407-708-2704
 
Seminole State Music and the Orlando Symphony Orchestra Latin Music Concert
Latin Soul/Alma Latina
 ampus:  Sanford/Lake Mary
Location:  C108 Office
Date:  Friday, Oct 4, 2019
Time:  7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
 
Orlando Symphony Orchestra will present a program celebrating the music and culture of Spain and Latin America, featuring the music of Lecuona (Cuba), Leng (Chile), Piazzolla (Argentina), Gutierrez (Venezuela), Moncayo (Mexico) and De Falla (Spain) and dancers of Orlando's Flamenco del Sol. The Orlando Symphony Orchestra. David Handel, conductor. This event is free and open to the public on the Sanford/Lake Mary campus in building C on October 4, 2019 from 7:30 pm to 9 pm.
Through music performed at the highest artistic level, the Orlando Symphony’s mission is to celebrate the region’s rich cultural diversity, by partnering with communities and educational institutions. Founded in 1991, the Orlando Symphony Orchestra is Central Florida’s oldest continuously performing professional symphony orchestra.
The Orlando Symphony Orchestra has engaged internationally renowned conductor David Handel as its first ever Music Director. Along with David, the OSO has embraced a series of dynamic new initiatives, including recordings, multi-media programming and strategic inter-institutional partnerships.
 
 
Tertulia4Gatos
ARTE BAJO LA SOMBRILLA
Campus:
Sanford/Lake Mary
Location:  SC100 Central Lobby Pavillion
Date:  Saturday, Oct 5, 2019
Time:  10:00 am - 4:00 pm
 
Tertulia4Gatos will host “Arte bajo la Sombrilla”, (Art under the Umbrella) on October 5th, 2019 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Student Center Pavilion. Patrons are invited to bring painted umbrellas (no art background required) which will be exhibited as a background of a day full of Hispanic art, music, poetry, dance and readings as well as an exhibition of paintings, books and handcrafts  .  
The day will include dances by Flamenco Del Sol, led by Tammy Weber- Millar; Flamenco Alborea, led by Ernesto Caballero; Folkloric Group Mi Panama…., Venezuelan dances led by Jaidira Giménez from Life´s Gift Center, Huellas de Colombia, led by María Fernanda Saavedra, and Argentian Tango interpreted by Maria Mussi. We will count on the participation of several recognized poets such as Anahilda García, from Dominican Republic, and Augusto Beranio, from Cuba. The day will showcase beautiful voices from Allison Cento, Hispanic descendent singer and songwriter; the renowned soprano Arleen Ramírez from Puerto Rico; the esteemed Nélida Málaga from Argentina; and other outstanding singers like Betsy León from Venezuela; Jimmy Tobar from Ecuador; Genteel Karina from Venezuela, Manuel Ocampo (Manu), Oliverio Gutiérrez and Nubia Cano, all from Colombia; and the group Loly y Beto from El Salvador, among others.
Flamenco Del Sol will perform a “Flamenco Walk’ leading to Jose Betancourt’s photography exhibition titled Cuba: Reconstructing Memories located in Building J 109. Patrons are also invited to follow the “Performance walk” designed by Tertulia4Gatos founder, María Emma Fernández, and participate in the poetry and books room . Prominent poets and writers such as Carlos Mazzeo, Jonhy Gely, Yamila Pérez, Carmen Estrada, Mirna de Sio and Nieves Stuart will be sharing their talent. Enjoy the  production of the Mexican play “Censo” directed by Nadia Garzón.Take the time to appreciate the exhibition of Alberto Quintero and Luma, outstanding pictorial artists, as well as Wendy Ramírez, Ivonne Sánchez, Ulyses Mora, Iris Torres, Lizbeth Palacios, Homero Rodríguez Sr. and Jr., etc., Finally, visit the “Tertulianos” writers who will be presenting their poetry and prose books.
The day will conclude with a parade of typical Hispanic folkloric dresses. All are welcome to celebrate Hispanic art and culture. The event is free and open to the public. Food Truck service will be available on campus for patrons enjoyment.
Tertulia4Gatos is an initiative that has been promoting Hispanic Art and Culture in Central Florida for 12 years. You can join them attending a Tertulia at your local library.

Seminole State’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts offers programs in art, music and theater as well as a wide variety of concerts, theatre productions, gallery exhibits and other cultural events. For more information about the Center, including calendars of all upcoming cultural events at Seminole State, visit seminolestate.edu/arts and follow them on Facebook.

ORLANDO, FL - On Thursday, June 27, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ (FSYO) students, parents, and staff will embark on an East Asia tour to explore famous landmarks and perform concerts across China. Immersed in new cultures, students will gain an experience of a lifetime during their two-week journey, and have the opportunity to play and learn alongside youth from other countries.
 
Information on tickets for concerts at The Forbidden City Concert Hall, the Concert Hall of Xi’an Conservatory, the Zhejiang Concert Hall, and the Shanghai City Theatre in can be found online at www.fsyo.org.
 
About FSYO: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras exists to encourage children and young adults, through the practice and performance of orchestral music, to become passionate leaders, thinkers, and contributors in their local community and beyond. In its 62nd Concert Season, FSYO serves almost 300 students and is comprised of seven ensembles - 3 symphony orchestras, a string-training orchestra, a chamber orchestra, 2 jazz orchestras - and 2 supplementary programs - Stringmania Summer Camp and Sing-Song, String-Along.
Programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Orlando Utilities Commission; The City of Orlando, Mayor's Matching Grant; and United Arts of Central Florida.
 

The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners and the Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) recognized local artist Laura Bird Miller as the 2019 Seminole County Artist of the Year during the regularly scheduled county commission meeting on Tuesday, June 11th.
    Both organizations realize the important role the arts play in the quality of life of  Seminole County residents. Accordingly, they acknowledge the contributions each year of an individual Cultural Artist (performer, visual artist, historian or author) who is a resident of Seminole County and contributes time and talent for the enrichment of Seminole County.
    This year, they chose Laura Bird Miller who teaches art at Circle Christian School  and is herself a landscape, mural, and portrait artist. Her own works have been displayed in various venues, most recently the University Club in Winter Park.
    Laura is a former SCAC board member who was instrumental in establishing and continuing student art exhibits at the AdventHealth Altamonte (formerly Florida Hospital-Altamonte) Art of Healing Gallery, which has led to the success of the longest-running SCAC Art In Public Places program.
    A native of Minnesota who majored in biology and minored in fine arts, Laura Bird Miller combined the two to produce a 50-foot mural in the Central Florida Regional Hospital’s outdoor café, meticulously researching and featuring more than 25 native animals (many of them now endangered) from a bygone era in Central Florida. Her understanding of the value of art to promote healing and wellness has translated her love of mural art into a series of large ocean murals and displays in spas and salons which instill a calming sense of restfulness and peace.
    Last year, she illustrated the cover for the book, “Haven to Heaven”. For several years she had a store-front business, “Coffee & Canvas”, and now works from her home studio in Longwood, teaching and inspiring children and adults to explore their artistic abilities.
    Laura Bird Miller continues to be a driving force for student involvement in the Art of Healing Gallery, and to educate and support the arts in Seminole County and throughout Central Florida.

       **PHOTOS COURTESY OF SEMINOLE COUNTY GOV'T.