Plenty of arts and the Orlando Boat Show
As the Florida springtime is in full swing plenty of events celebrate the arts in Central Florida, plus an annual showcase of the latest and greatest watercraft.
The weekend of April 5-7 marks a student art show at Orlando's McRae Art Studios, Art in Bloom at Orlando Museum of Art, a new exhibition at Faith Arts Village Orlando, the Orlando Boat Show and the One Daytona Art Festival.
Here are plenty of artful and boatful ways to spend a sunny spring weekend around Central Florida.
‘WORKINGS OF THE SOUL’ AT MCRAE ART STUDIOS
At Orlando's McRae Art Studios, 60 young artists from Edgewater High School and Evans High School will showcase ceramics, drawings and paintings in a showcase titled “Workings of the Soul.” McRae artist Fern Matthews reached out to public school teachers to offer the space for this unique opportunity — first welcoming the students for a field trip and studio tour.
“They've been here and now they get to be the stars. When I had students here, I told them, ‘In one month, these walls will have your art,'” Matthews said. “You could see their faces change. They got it and were inspired by it.”
Awards will be given out to students for selected works.
“When some of my students talked to the artists here, they figured out that they could actually do this,” said Gracie Ferch, who teaches art at Evans High School.
“Workings of the Soul” opens with a reception from 6-9 p.m. April 5 with viewing hours from noon-4 p.m. April 6-7 at 1000 Arlington St. in Orlando. More information: mcraeartstudios. com
ORLANDO BOAT SHOW
Over three days, aspiring and veteran boaters can view around 400 boats from Central Florida's top dealers representing more than 80 manufacturers at the Orlando Boat Show. Visitors to Orange County Convention Center can get up close with bowriders,
center consoles, deck boats, flats boats, freshwater fishing boats, jet boats, pontoons and surf boats.
Joe Lewis, general manager of the Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina, said personal watercraft and tritoons (pontoons with a triple hull) have been especially popular lately.
“The dealers at the
show have special offers to incentivize people to make a decision to buy at the show,” said Lewis, who is also president of the Marine Industry Association of Central Florida.
This show aims to be family-friendly with seminars from Capt. Don Dingman, who hosts “Hook the Future” to inspire children to take up fishing, and
Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel.
“There are a lot of families at the Orlando Boat Show. I really enjoy going to a show where they make family fun a priority,” said Dingman, who will hand out rods and reels to kids ages 5-15 at his clinic. “It's nice for people to leave with a smile and have something in the hand and
know that they're going to go fishing.”
The Orlando Boat Show is open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. April 5-6 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 7 at 9400 Universal Blvd. in Orlando. Adult tickets are $10 per person. Children ages 12 and younger enter for free. On-site parking costs $10.65. More information: orlandoboatshow. com
‘TRANSCENDENCE: EXPLORING TRANSFORMATION THROUGH ART’ AT FAVO
Faith Arts Village Orlando (FAVO) is known as a space for working artists in what was formerly a motel. Each month, one or two of the studios showcase new exhibitions and this month Alexia Written will have work on display in studio #244, Art for All Spaces. “Transcendence: Exploring Transformation Through Art” showcases bold, colorful abstract art with textures inspired by the artist's background in graphic design. Written's art explores the human capacity for transformation and exploring new horizons.
“Transcendence: Exploring Transformation Through Art” is on view during FAVO’s art stroll open house from 6-9 p.m. April 5-6 at 221 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando. More information: facebook.com
ART IN BLOOM AT ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART
The Council of 101, the Orlando Museum of Art's primary fundraising group, hosts its annual Art in Bloom spring fundraiser with art-inspired floral designs. Visitors can wander throughout galleries and see arrangements that are directly inspired by works of art. The event also features a silent auction, curated antiques, a mystery home tour, “What's it worth?” appraisals, tea parties, children's activities and daily entertainment.
Art in Bloom is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 5-7 at 2416 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando. Tickets are $20 per adult and $12 per child ages 3-12, seniors, active-duty military and first responders. Special events cost extra. More information: councilof101.org
ONE DAYTONA ART FESTIVAL
The 5th Annual One Daytona Art Festival has more than 100 fine artists and artisan craft vendors, live music, student art displays, a free kid's zone and live painting. The juried festival takes place right across the street from Daytona International Speedway.
The One Daytona Art Festival is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 6-7 at 1 Daytona Blvd. in Daytona Beach. More information: onedaytonaartfestival.net