A Local Folkus » Art

The Seed – Community Mural and Garden

John — Sat, 15 May 2010 18:16:18 +0000

I have the pleasure of working with some really talented people on my current project for Cape Canaveral National Seashore. One of these creatives is Brian Tortorelli. Brian is a consummate Renaissance artist. Trained in Digital Media to metal smithing, he is at the helm of our Turtle Cam’s aluminum frame fabrication.

But he is not just a whiz with a soldering iron, he also has a softer side. His current project, SEED, involves a community mural project tied in with a community project at a local elementary school. Check out this incredible video shot by Aaron Hose’ capturing the progress of the project to date.

Great work guys and keep it up. You are an inspiration.

The Seed from Aaron Hosé on Vimeo.

Faces of Haiti, Through the Eyes of Children: A Unique Photo Exhibit, March 20-22, Casa Feliz

John — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:22:32 +0000

We have a really exciting photography exhibit coming up this month. One that is particularly near and dear to my heart. The photos in this unique exhibition were taken in 2009 by ten young middle-school children from St. Isidore that we work with in Haiti.

None of these uninhibited children had ever held a camera, nor had they ever had their own image captured through the eye of a lens. Yet, with only their natural eye and their pure imagination, they have magically captured the world around them as they know and see it.

The vibrant colors, the joy of childhood, the pain of poverty and the strength of Faith of the people of Haiti are all captured here in the faces of the photographers’ fellow school children, and families. Poor in possessions but rich in spirit, the people portrayed in this moving collection of images will speak to every viewer. Haiti as seen in these photos, through the eyes of its own children, speaks directly to our hearts.

For three days only, see Faces of Haiti, Through the Eyes of Children exclusively at Casa Feliz, 656 Park Avenue North, Winter Park, March 20-22. All photographs displayed are for sale, and all monies received—100% —will be given directly to the schools of St. Isidore Parish, Haiti through the outreach mission support of St Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Winter Park.

For more information hit me up on through the contact form.

Grandma Party Today at Stardust Video, Winter Park, FL

John — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:46:26 +0000

Details: Sunday, December 20, 2009, 10am-7pm at stardust video and coffee (1842 E. Winter Park Rd).

Ryan Price of Florida Creatives has been telling me to get out to the Grandma Party since it began. Well this year we are finally going to make it. Ryan has posted some videos over at Orlando Scene if you want to see what you’ve been missing today and what you can still enjoy if you get off the couch and get going. Below is just one of the interesting videos Ryan shot at the last Grandma Party.

For the uninitiated this is what you can expect.

Over 40 local arts and crafters, musicians and independent businesses will transform the parking lot in front of Stardust Video and Coffee into a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) extravaganza at the Grandma Party Bazaar. The event will feature work from local fashion designers, bookbinders, painters, knitters, silversmiths, vintage dealers, bakers and print makers, as well as live art, custom songs written and recorded while you wait and more! WPRK 91.5 FM presents live music throughout the day. Local artist Doug Rhodehamel will create something magically spectacular for the event, while Justin Luper will create a large scale sheet-fort installation indoors for tarot readings and a special surprise after dark.

Jennifer Farhat Part Deux: Locavore Instillation Art at Lake Eloa, Orlando, FL

John — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:54:43 +0000

A couple weeks ago I reported about the thought provoking artwork of local artist Jennifer Farhat. She has produced another locavore inspired instillation on the shores of Lake Eola in downtown Orlando, FL. On top of that she how has a shiny new home for work on the web called Know The Roots. Besides serving as a portfolio of her locavore artwork, the site also provides a great primer for why we all believe supporting an organic local food economy is so critical to the health of our families and the health of our nation.

Jennifer Farhat – Locavore Instillation Art

John — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:51:42 +0000

Local artist Jennifer Farhat has produced a very thought provoking piece of instillation art that has been appearing on the streets of Downtown Orlando. Most recently her work graced the sidewalk at the corner of Central and Rosalind downtown.

Due to its size, pedestrians have no choice but to engage with the artwork; and with a recent survey claiming 64% of American’s as being overweight or obese, there is no better time for such confrontational social commentary.

Somehow Michael Pollan’s simple mantra of “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” has been lost on our Fast Food Nation. So much of what “we” consume is not so much “food” as it is the product of “food science”.

I have to believe the remedy begins with education and education doesn’t begin until the learner is ready. So here’s to the thought provoking work of Jennifer Farhat and here’s to hoping it sparks awareness. Her next showing will be Sunday at 11am at the Downtown Farmer’s Market.