GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Join the Florida Museum of Natural History and artisans from the Ye’kwana indigenous culture in Venezuela from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 22 and 25 for traditional basket weaving and carving demonstrations.

During the free events, Ye’kwana Simon Caura will create a stool reminiscent of one used by a shaman, or spiritual ruler, and Aurora Rodriguez Caura, one of the founders of Kanwasumi, a women’s basket weaving cooperative in Venezuela, will demonstrate basket weaving. The two also plan to speak with visitors about Ye’kwana culture and answer questions about their traditions and history.

“Our mission is to educate people about indigenous cultures and the troubling issues they face in a global world,” said Laurie Wilkins, president of Earth Bound, a non-profit organization that works with artisan and craft cooperatives and traditional peoples across the world, including the Ye’kwana, and a cosponsor of the program. “Basketry is an intricate part of daily life and more than 30 different baskets are made and used by both men and women,” she said.

Examples of traditional baskets and photos highlighting Ye’kwana village life in an isolated landscape along rivers and lowland tropical forests also will be displayed.

The Ye’kwana are known as the “People of the River” because of their exceptional ability to build canoes and navigate rivers.

“Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the People of the River and some of their traditions,” said Betty Dunckel, director of the Florida Museum’s Center for Informal Science Education. “The program complements the museum’s desired impact of inspiring people to value the cultural heritage of our diverse world. This event also provides an opportunity to collaborate with campus units and Earth Bound. We have found from previous programs that there is a lot of interest from our community in presentations of this nature.”

Only about 3,000 Ye’kwana remain according to Earth Bound, but the culture has maintained many of its ancient traditions including basket weaving, carving and using dugout canoes.

The artisans visit is co-sponsored by the University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies, UF Tropical Conservation and Development program, Earth Bound and the Florida Museum.

The visit coincides with a reception to view the exhibit “Trading Traditions,” from 7 to 9 pm. Jan. 20 at Grinter Gallery on the UF campus. The exhibit explores the rich basket and fiber art of the Ye’kwana of Venezuela and Ayoreo people of Bolivia.

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Source: Betty Dunckel, 352-273-2088, bdunckel@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Logan Gerber and Leeann Bright
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History will showcase a new Galleria exhibit by Mollie Doctrow entitled “Seasonal Crossings: Environmental Woodcuts of Central and South Florida” beginning Thursday.

The exhibit features woodcut prints inspired by native Florida habitats and plant species. Doctrow’s prints are portraits of plants and plant communities, some of which are endemic, and others that are rare or endangered.

“A dominant theme of my artwork is the drama of the moment, a personal interaction with a particular place,” Doctrow said. “The work represents natural forms processed accurately and expressively, going beyond documentation. The woodcut medium and the carving process suit this expressive depiction.”

While working in the tradition of Western landscape art, the prints are also influenced by Oriental art. Doctrow aims to simplify the composition and achieve a yin-and-yang balance between the black and white areas or the carved and un-carved areas.

Doctrow’s work begins with field sketches of natural places. The sketches are then transferred to woodblocks and the final image is completed during the carving process. “Through this artwork I connect to the natural world and hope to bring attention to these fragile environments,” Doctrow said.

Captivated by swampy jungle places, exotic plants and a variety of habitats, Doctrow has completed art residencies at Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve and Archbold Biological Station. She recently received a grant from the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs to build nine ‘shrine boxes’ featuring local plants along a nature trail at South Florida Community College.

Originally from southern California, Doctrow graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in printmaking. She is currently the curator at the South Florida Community College’s Museum of Florida Art and Culture in Avon Park.

The exhibit is free and open through April 18, 2010.

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Writer: Patti Nunez
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History and the Alachua County Office of Waste Alternatives will present the “Trashformations” 10th annual judging and awards ceremony 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 13 as part of the “Museum Nights” program, featuring trash recycled into art by local high school and college students. The Florida Museum will display the winning entries through Nov. 26.

“This event provides students a wonderful opportunity to display their work in the museum galleries and gain public recognition of their skills,” said Kendra Lanza-Kaduce, museum public programs coordinator. “Each year the students get more creative with their use of recycled items, so we are all excited to see what they will come up with this year.”

“Trashformations” is the Florida Museum’s second-longest running public program in collaboration with Museum Nights. Awards will be presented in two divisions: middle and high school, and college. The cash prizes are $400 for first place, $300 for second place and $200 for third place. Two additional awards also are presented. The Waste Watchers award, sponsored by Alachua County Office of Waste Alternatives, is given to the piece that exhibits the best use of recycled materials. The Director’s Natural History Award for Excellence in Recycling, sponsored by the Florida Museum, is given to the entry that shows closest resemblance to museum exhibits. Both awards offer a cash prize of $75 and will be judged by sponsor representatives.

Applicants must deliver entries between noon and 5 p.m. on Nov. 13. There is no admission charge for this event. For more information, contact Lanza-Kaduce, (352) 273-2064.

“Museum Nights” are held on select Thursday evenings while the University of Florida is in session at the Florida Museum and Harn Museum of Art, and are sponsored by UF Student Government. Enjoy unique entertainment, food and fun during extended museum hours, 5 – 9 p.m. These events are co-sponsored by UF Student Government. For more information visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu/education/museum_nights.htm or call (352) 273-2063.

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Writer: Marcel Raphael
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History has added two new vintage-style prints by local artist Jim Harrison to its popular art exhibit “A Taste of Nature,” on display through Dec. 7.

The prints feature the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Florida Museum, and are part of Harrison’s iconic “Gainesville Fruit Co.” series that presents North Central Florida landmarks.

“I chose to feature the Florida Museum of Natural History because I wanted to create a design emphasizing nature and our community,” Harrison said. “Since the museum embodies the crossroads of nature and community in Gainesville, it was a natural fit for this theme.”

The Florida Museum print features a detailed tree landscape with the title “The Nature of Our Community” and the museum’s name. The second print spotlights the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the statewide agency for prevention and alleviation of domestic violence, using a sunlight and beach theme as a metaphor for shining a light on a difficult and often misunderstood issue.

Both prints were commissioned by local company StorterChilds to showcase its new digital offset printing capabilities. Offset printing uses plastic or rubber plates mounted on multiple rollers to print finely detailed text and pictures such as those in Harrison’s illustrations. Digital presses use computers to print materials with varying data in the same run and with superior quality to traditional offset printing.

Harrison’s museum and domestic violence illustrations, the first products of StorterChilds’ digital equipment, were unveiled at a company open house in September. The Florida Museum is the first public space in Gainesville to exhibit the images, and the museum print is available for purchase in the gift shop.

Specializing in corporate communications and brand identities, Harrison has created logos, posters, web sites, annual reports and other communication items for a wide variety of clients.

The exhibit is free to all Florida Museum visitors. For more information on “A Taste of Nature,” visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu.

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Writer: Kelly Donovan
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

“The Soul of Florida Landscapes” exhibition, on display since Thursday, is described by Borse as “attempting to capture the essence of mystery and excitement that someone might feel, more than see, when experiencing a landscape.”

Borse’s paintings have been featured in many invitational and solo exhibits, recently including one in the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. Last year, he won first place in acrylic painting in the book “The Best Artists and Artisans of Florida 2006.”

“Gary’s wonderful use of color in these large paintings announces the majesty of Florida landscapes and inspires closer reflection of how we know and perceive our world,” said Florida Museum assistant director for exhibits Darcie MacMahon.

The Chicago-born artist now lives in Florida, raising cattle and riding horses when not at the easel. Borse says his horses help him find his best subjects by taking him to places that most people cannot reach.

“Riding through swamps and hammocks, what I have seen is so stunning that it forces you to think about Florida’s past as well as question its fragile future while you are in its midst,” Borse said.

For more information, please visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu or call (352) 846-2000.

Writer: Jessica Thurmond
Media contact: Paul Ramey, (352) 846-2000, ext. 218, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

]]> http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/pressroom/2007/07/30/landscape-artist-gary-borses-paintings-on-display-at-fla-museum-through-nov-25/feed/ 0 http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/pressroom/2005/11/10/colored-pencil-society-members-to-sketch-at-florida-museum-on-saturday-nov-12/ http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/pressroom/2005/11/10/colored-pencil-society-members-to-sketch-at-florida-museum-on-saturday-nov-12/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2005 17:45:51 +0000 Gerber,Logan R http://slurm.flmnh.ufl.edu/blogs/pressroom/?p=1614 What:

The Gainesville Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America will meet at the Florida Museum of Natural History, where approximately 15 society members will pencil sketch Florida Museum exhibits.

When:
Beginning about 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12

Where:
Florida Museum of Natural History, located in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road.

Media:
The Colored Pencil Society of America was established in 1990 and is the first and only nonprofit arts organization devoted exclusively to promoting “art of the colored pencil.” The Society represents more than 1,600 members from 16 countries.

Media Contact: Paul Ramey, (352) 846-2000, pramey@ufl.edu

Natural science illustrator Susan Trammell will lead the two-day workshop for people of all skill levels. Participants will learn to translate botany to brush stroke and to master plant observation techniques in the University of Florida Natural Area Teaching Laboratory behind the Florida Museum.

The cost, including supplies, is $90 for Florida Museum members and $110 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Participants must bring a lunch on Saturday. For more information, call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277 or visit http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/education/adult_classes.htm.

Media Contact: Paul Ramey,  (352) 846-2000,  pramey@ufl.edu
Writer: Emily Banks

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History will display an exhibit showcasing artwork by 18 artists titled “Natural Curiosity: Artists Explore Florida” from June 18 – Sept. 11. The artists’ works are focused studies of the natural world and their interpretations are as varied as Florida’s environment. Included in the exhibition, which is free and open to the public, are sketches and studies as well as finished works.

“This show will combine the rich community resource of local artistic talent with natural beauty to illustrate the artists’ unique perspectives on natural history,” said Florida Museum Assistant Director for Exhibits and Public Programs Susan Pharr.

Guests will see underwater paintings of Florida springs by Margaret Ross Tolbert, which are used as a basis for her dramatic canvas paintings. Also included is work by Peter Carolin, who explores Florida springs and uses sporadic swirls and dashes of paint to portray natural reflections, transparencies and refractions. Heidi Edwards will display canvasses illustrating light that dissolves the boundaries between water, earth and sky in Florida’s wetlands. Linda Blondheim’s paintings will reveal the breezy coasts of St. Augustine. Drawings of plant forms, sculptures in fused glass and structures made from natural materials found in the woods along the Santa Fe River also will be displayed.

“This show will provide guests with a variety of artists, natural subjects and interpretive artistic approaches,” said Stacey Breheny, the guest curator of the exhibit and a featured artist. “It is a great show that will give the public a glimpse of artists they normally would not see.”

The exhibit also features paintings by Eleanor Blair, Jason Bourque, Jerry Cutler, Susan Dauphinee, Dale Johnson, Mary Jane Volkmann and Hope White. Jewelry by Lori Brewer, sculptures by Nitin Jayaswal and Patience Mason, mixed media by Robert Malinowski and Joanne Platte and block prints by Leslie Pebbles also will be displayed. The exhibit complements the mission of the Florida Museum, which is dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage.

Local support for the exhibit is provided in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Media Contact: Paul Ramey, (352) 846-2000, pramey@ufl.edu
Writer: Kristin Ede