March Exhibitions and Events at Polk Museum of Art

Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland, Florida

http://www.polkmuseumofart.org/

EXHIBITIONS

Art and Design: Balance through April 5, 2009

This exhibition, focusing on Balance, is the second in a series of works from the Permanent Collection that presents examples of how artists think about design principles. Balance is used by artists and designers to maintain an overall equilibrium in an artwork and to direct the viewer’s eye to multiple parts of a composition though symmetrical balance or asymmetrical balance, and by utilizing color, value, shape, and position, texture or direction.

Ninth Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition
A Joint Project of Polk Museum of Art and the City of Winter Haven

March 2009 – February 2010
The Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition, a joint project of Polk Museum of Art and the City of Winter Haven, is quickly becoming one of the most prestigious outdoor sculpture competitions in the country. Ten sculptures are selected by a committee of local community members for the exhibition and installed in downtown Winter Haven. Best of Show, 2nd Place, Honorable Mention and People’s Choice Awards are all given. It’s all about great sculpture – right in the heart of Polk County!

Self-Taught Artists from the Permanent Collection
March 7 – May 13, 2009

Outside of the world of academic art training, ordinary people pick up brush or clay and create artistic objects. Sometimes these things have personal meanings and sometimes they are meant to simply be decorative. Although the skill level varies, these pieces are admired and collected by individual and museums alike. This exhibition will focus on Polk Museum of Art’s growing collection of artwork by untrained artists whose themes range from the landscape and animals to religious or patriotic odes.

Unbelievable Transformations: Moving Sculptures by Gregory Barsamian
March 14 – June 7, 2009

Looking at Gregory Barsamian’s artwork is like watching three dimensional stop-motion animation magically take place right in front of your eyes. By using elaborate metal structures that support a series of sculptures and flashing a strobe light on them, the viewer’s eye is tricked into seeing movement. His dream-like imagery is enchanting and unforgettable. Admission during this exhibition: $10 Adults, $8 Seniors, $5 Members, $4 Member Seniors, $2 Students (K - College), Children under age 5 admitted free.

STUDENT EXHIBITIONS

Creative Youth: Twelfth Congressional District Competition
March 10 – April 5, 2009
Reception: Saturday, March 14, 2009, 11:00am

EVENTS

Exhibition Reception
Friday, March 13, 2009, 6:00 – 8:30pm
Cost: FREE to Members, $10 Guests
Join us as we celebrate the opening of the Gregory Barsamian. Lecture by Gregory Barsamian at 6pm. Light refreshments and cash bar at 7pm.

LECTURES AND TOURS

Curator Tour
Tuesday, March 17, 2008, 10:30am
Cost: Free with Museum admission
Join the Curator of Art on a walking tour of the exhibition Gregory Barsamian. 

Creative Studies Series - Aging!!! Through the Eyes of the World's Most Beloved Poets!

Saturday, March 21, 2008, 5:00 – 7:30pm
COST: $12 Members, $15 Non-Members
Join the Center for Creative Studies for wine, light hors d’oeuvres, and an open discussion led by Paula Douglas. Did the poets scoff at aging?  Were they fearful?  Let’s explore their words and works together.  Meet “Terminus” by Ralph Waldo Emerson and “Nature” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Was William Shakespeare really feeling his best when he wrote,”Tired with All These, For Restful Death I Cry?” Call 863-688-5423 by 5pm March 20 to register!

JUST FOR KIDS

Spring Break Art Camp
March 30 – April 3, 2009, 9:00am – 4:30pm

Cost: Fee for week. Call 863-688-5423 for details.
If you’re looking for something fun for the kids to do during Spring Break, then bring them here! We’re planning a fun week of art activities with a Pre-Columbian theme. Sign up early! We only have space for 60 students!

After School Art
Mondays, February 2 – March 23, 2009, 4:30 – 5:30pm
COST: FREE for Museum Members, $5 per child for Non-Members

Bring the kids to the Museum on Monday afternoons for a free art activity! Each week our educator will present a different project designed for children of all ages and abilities.

March 2 - Clay
March 9 - Papier-maché Sculpture
March 16 - Finish Papier-maché Sculpture
March 23 - Mystery Project

Family Fun Workshops

Saturdays, 10:30 – noon
COST: FREE for everyone
Drop in for a free workshop designed to accommodate children of all abilities. Workshops will be held on the following dates and at Polk Museum of Art unless noted otherwise:

March 7 - Sculpture at Polk Museum of Art
March 28 - Sculpture at Winter Haven Public Library

WORKSHOP

Clay Throwing Workshop: Learn to Use a Potter’s Wheel
Saturday, March 7 and Saturday, March 14, 10:00am-4:00pm. Bring your lunch.
Cost: $110 Members, $125 Non-Members
Registration deadline: March 4
Join instructor Natalie Helms for a two-day workshop learning to make ceramic plates, bowls and vases on a potter’s wheel. Learn to center the clay, throw, and glaze each piece. This workshop will introduce both beginners and experienced ceramists to the techniques of throwing. Materials are provided. Workshop is limited to 7 students.        

CRITIQUES

View & Review:  Critiquing Emerging Artists
Friday, March 20, 6:00 – 8:00pm
COST: $15 Artists, $5 Audience. Cash Bar.
Ever wondered what goes on in an artist’s head when they’re creating art? Or what an art professional sees when he or she looks at a piece of art? Then join us for this new series of events! Local artists are encouraged to bring their latest work to show off, and we’ll provide the art professional, wine, and light hors d’oeuvres. Even if you’re not an artist, this is a great way to learn about art and artists in a relaxed, intimate setting.

Polk Museum of Art is located in Lakeland, Florida.  The Museum is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts in Central Florida.

The Museum is one of the top ten art museums in the State of Florida, and the only art museum accredited by the American Association of Museums serving the 561,000 residents of Polk County. 

Regular Museum hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m.  The Museum is closed Mondays and major holidays. 

Admission is free for Museum members.  General admission is $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for Seniors (62 and older). 

Children and students with ID are free. Admission is free to all on Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. until noon.  The Museum is fully accessible.

For more information, please see:

http://www.polkmuseumofart.org/