Artsy Smartsy
February 21st, 2008, 1:29 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Tony
It’s a Paul Brent kind of day: The Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida is celebrating local artist Paul Brent and his vision of Panama City with a special showing of his “Portal Collection” of work focusing on local landmarks. The show opens March 1 and will be celebrated with a wine tasting on the evening of March 13 with the artist in attendance.
Theater department does good: Students and faculty in the Gulf Coast Community College Visual and Performing Arts program recently raised over $1,000 in an effort to stop violence toward women and girls. “Art can be a catalyst for social change,” said Carmen Gomez, associate professor of theatre, in a release from GCCC. “I’m not only proud to promote a good cause, but to promote good art.” The funds were collected over the course of three evenings and culminated with a performance of the “Vagina Monologues.” The local Bethel Village for Women and Children received $905.90 and the national V-Day organization received $100.65 from the donations of approximately 350 audience members. Local events at the college were held along with events around the world for V-Day’s ten year anniversary. The VPA program plans to make this an annual fundraising event.
Behind the Mask: Join Covenant Hospice for a guided walking tour and opening reception to view this year’s collection of more than 80 masks created by local artists and celebrities for Covenant Hospice’s Sixth Annual Mask Parade Gala. The event begins at 3 pm, Friday, Feb. 29 at the Visual Arts Center. See beautiful mask artwork created by celebrities like Courteney Cox, Marisa Tomei, Charles Barkley and local artists like Paul Brent, Roland Hockett, Geno Peoples and Patrick Reynolds.
Enjoy refreshments and mingle with the artists. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Masks will be displayed through March 21 at the Visual Arts Center, Robert Dokken, Estate Treasures and Bay Bank & Trust in downtown Panama City. Select your favorite pieces and then bid on them at the Mask Parade Gala, benefiting Covenant Hospice, Saturday, March 22 at the Edgewater Beach Resort. Mask artwork can also be viewed here. For sponsorships, Gala tickets or more information, call 785-3040.
