ARTIST OF THE YEAR LAURA BIRD MILLER HONORED BY SEMINOLE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SEMINOLE CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL (SCAC)

County Commissioner Bob Dallari, County Commissioner Jay Zembower, County Chairman Brenda Carey, Laura Bird Miller, County Commissioner Amy Lockhart, County Commissioner Lee Constantine.

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.

Back Row, L-R: Steve Nelson, County Commissioner Jay Zembower, County Commissioner Bob Dallari, Casselberry Commissioner Anthony Aramendia, County Commissioner Lee Constantine, Stephen Summers. Front Row, L-R: Donna Bundy, Mary Blake, County Chairman Brenda Carey, Laura Bird Miller, County Commissioner Amy Lockhart, Josie Foranoce.