Photo by Melanie Valentine

Lake Park Exhibit Raises Awareness of the Benefits of Bees

By Andrea Richard Thursday, Jul 10 2014

"The idea is that the bee population keeps going down; even in South Florida, we need to do more than just complain," says Barrero. "It's wonderful to sit in a rally against GMOs [genetically modified organisms] in our food. It's great to scream and yell about the plants riddled with pesticides that kill our bees. But when we take action and work together, we make a difference."

Read full story here:

http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2014-07-10/culture/bees-art-exhibit-lake-park/

What's All the BUZZ About?

An Exhibition Of Contemporary Works On The Vital Role Of The Bee In The South Florida Eco-system

On display through August 11 at Art on Park, 800 Park Ave., in Lake Park.

Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 11.

No cover, but a donation is suggested. Call 786-521-1199.

Contact: Rolando Chang Barrero, Curator

This Summer's Best Bet

http://activistartista.blogspot.com/2014/06/this-summers-best-bet.html

Exhibition Statement

by Mary Jo Aagerstoun,President of Eco-Art South Florida

“What’s All the Buzz?” is an exhibition to honor the humble honey bee, especially our Florida native ones. Bees are necessary to pollinate crops that feed humans, and to pollinate wild plants and trees so they can flourish. Studies show that Florida native bees are much more efficient and industrious pollinators of Florida’s crops than are non native honeybees shipped in for pollinating. We would like to address this issue proactively through conversations, demonstarations, and ultimately through the incepection of art related projects that may surface as a result of the exhibition.

This is just one approach to making the invisible visible that artists can do so well. The invisible here are the systems of industrial agriculture.

Another approach to utilizing art based in science to bring visibility to the plight of our bees, is the work of Kelly Rogers who recently completed a multi media installation as part of her MFA qualifications. The installation includes live bees. bee-ecology.com

Yet another approach is art that utilizes native plants in outdoor installations that can provide nectar specifically for native Florida bees. A recent example of a landscape designed by an EcoArtist to attract and nurture Florida native pollinators is Eco Walk in Boynton Beach at the new LEED Gold certified apartment complex, Seabourn Cove. http://www.boynton-beach.org/departments/public_art/projects/dixie_ecowalk.php While this work, by local Palm Beach county EcoArtist Lucy Keshavarz is focused more closely on butterflies, the plants selected also encourage native bees.

Martin County EcoArtist Jesse Etelson discovered that a fanciful ceramic vessel designed as a screech owl nesting box actually attracted native Florida bees instead! His research after this serendipitous occurrence showed that indeed ceramic containers have been used for millennia dating back to Egyptian beekeepers as ideal beehives. http://jesseetelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/screechowl.jpg

Organized by Rolando Chang Barrero, curator.
"What's All the Buzz About?" will benefit Palm Beach Beekeepers Assoc., a 501(c)3 Non Profit***

Award for BEST IN SHOW!!!

Get your work shown at the BEEKEEPING Conference on October 2-4
http://www.beekeepingconference.com/

***

Whats going on in Palm Beach this week?

EVENTS IN PALM BEACH

Thank You! WLRN and Andrea Richard!

-Rolando Chang Barrero

Yes, Art Abounds North Of Wynwood

By ANDREA RICHARD

Last week's satirical Fort Lauderdale slam by The Onion claimed the city “lacks any kind of cultural depth," something hotly disputed by locals.

So, where are the cultural gems in Broward and Palm Beach counties? Don’t get fooled by the wealth of strip malls, high-rises, and balmy palm tree landscape.

Culture is alive around these parts -- it’s just not always so easily found.

Granted, Miami leads South Florida’s art scene, with world-renowned Art Basel and the burgeoning Wynwood Arts District, home to the bustling second Saturday art walks and street-art installations with international appeal. But there exist art hubs worth scoping out beyond Miami.

Over recent years, three main art districts have sprung up from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach. Each spot shares a common vision to support the arts and foster a creative community with a bohemian spirit. Here’s where to find cultural communities outside the 305.

(con't)

Boynton Beach Art District

Blocks 410–422 W. Industrial Ave., Boynton Beach

The Boynton Beach Art District occupies a dusty industrial park that has attracted a community of fulltime working artists. It began in early 2012 with public events, like the art walk held on the fourth Thursday of the month, and third Thursdays open mic nights. It was the February 2012 multimedia showcase “Kerowhacked Festival” that got the conversation going. “So nobody knew there was an arts district here until they heard about the events,” says Rolando Chang Barrero, event organizer and owner of ActivistArtistA Gallery. While this artist-driven site has outdoor murals and street art, Rolando wouldn’t compare this two-block warehouse hub to Wynwood. “Our space is more akin to the Lincoln Road of the late ‘80s, early ‘90s, whereas there were no commercial venues or stores. Then it [Lincoln Road] was a place run by independent artists and nonprofits,” he explains. At this only city-sanctioned arts district in Palm Beach County, onlookers can find stone sculptures, metal works, public art pieces, paintings, installation works, and hear live music during public events. Next to come are plans to cultivate edible gardens, and repaint the outdoor murals with work.

Other related Stories....

Boynton Beach Art District Organizer, Rolando Chang Barrero featured in Delray Beach Magazine

Politically Charged Art in Boynton Beach!

BOCA Magazine, says, "resoundingly clear and provacativly accurate..."

Boynto Beach Art Distict: Palm Beach County's Art Mecca, by Tricia Woolfenden

Art and Culture Magazine on Boynton Beach Art District