by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Not only will new artists be highlighting their work at Art After Dark, guests will also be able to enjoy a couple of new features that the Florida Theatre is offering.
The 11th annual Art After Dark is from 7 p.m.-midnight March 30 inside and outside of the Florida Theatre.
“This is the first time we will have a VIP section under the awning on Newnan Street,” said Marketing Director for the Florida Theatre Lorie Strange.
As a VIP, guests will receive champagne and personal flutes with the Art After Dark logo and Peterbrooke Chocolate in a private area along Newnan Street with Carnivale entertainment.
“We are going to decorate that whole side in a Carnivale theme with different fabrics and bright colors,” she said. “Men and women will also be dressed in Carnivale outfits to add some different elements to it.”
In the alley behind the Florida Theatre will be Carnivale Celebration with food, a cash bar, a DJ and dancing.
“We wanted to try and make it more exciting,” said Strange. “It is really hard to get people out to support the artists so we decided to mix in a party with the art.”
The 12 artists who are participating in this year’s Art After Dark are: Flo Greene, Jason Tetlak, Chris Grisaffe, Gordon Meggison, Melissa Russell, Tom Farrell, Carol Beck, Ryan Ketterman, Michael Spicer, Stephanie Shieldhouse, Beth Myers and Jono Lukas.
Local artist and graphic designer Melissa Russell is participating in Art After Dark for the first time. Russell said she was asked by the Florida Theatre to submit her art work for consideration.
“I think someone may have seen me at the Riverside Arts Festival,” she said. “I am flattered that someone liked my work and they would think other people would, too.”
Russell uses all types of metal, recycled or new, to create sculptures. She started out by making lawn art, but for Art After Dark, she will be displaying more decorative fine art pieces.
Some of the pieces that will be on display are made from metal that she welds together.
“Right now I am using square cut concrete nails, like a horse shoe nail,” she said. “I try to use mostly recycled items. People will give me things to use, too.”
Russell said she hopes by being a part of Art After Dark, more people will get to know her and her art.
“Hopefully this will give me more exposure and maybe someone will see my things and ask me to be in another show,” said Russell. “This isn’t my main income so I have the freedom to be less panic stricken.
“It’s supposed to be fun.”
Beth Myers, another local artist, is also participating in Art After Dark for the first time.
“I heard about it (Art After Dark) through a few past participants and friends,” said Myers, whose paintings are mostly mixed media on canvas.
Myers uses oils, acrylics, collage and a variety of tools to create her abstract paintings.
Myers is a full-time artist and she has some of her work hanging in local galleries.
“I have always been an artist on and off for a long time,” she said. “I always come back to it.
“It’s my way of expressing myself.”
Like Russell, Myers hopes by participating in Art After Dark she will gain more exposure.
“It gives us great exposure in Jacksonville for an upcoming artist,” said Myers. “It also gives us (the artists) a chance to meet other local artists and see their work.”
Tickets are $15 for general admission and VIP tickets are $50. Tickets can be purchased at the Florida Theatre, online at www.floridatheatre.com, or by calling 355-2787.