Thursday was the opening of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council's new home on Lake Avenue. They did a wonderful renovation on the old theater building of seven decades ago. I had a lot of great memories as a kid going there to the movies and throwing Jujubes at some boy for whom I had a crush. Great fun back then. To see two double features and cartoons plus the news of the day cost us 25 cents and of course, we were out of our parent's hair for 5 hours.
Rick Gonzalez of REG Architects, did the interior renovation. He was the architect of our new Casino that is now under construction. Notice the beautiful and exquisite molding around the entry ways and ceiling in the reception area. These are the original moldings and were retained by REG.
Featured in this slideshow is Nichole Hickey, Artist's Services Coordinator. The Council is featuring the South Florida Cultural Consortium Fellowship winners for this inaugural exhibition through April 14. The have a gift shop where you can purchase various works of art from jewelry to handbags and other items by the area artists and craftsmen.
As gifts to those visiting their grand opening, they gave out a packet of note cards made by the VSA, the state organization on Arts and Disability. There will be an Artist's Reception on February 29 from 5 to 7 pm.
The kinetic sculpture in the lobby that you mention is not part of the "original" structure - it is a worthy remnant from the time the building was used by the Lannan Foundation. This sculpture was not there when the building was used originally as a theater.
ReplyDeleteThese are moldings that were not part of the REG design but were already in place.
ReplyDeleteThe "moldings" are a plaster frieze entitled "Battle of the Sexes" by Tom Otterness commissioned by Mr. Lannan, who was a champion of emerging artists.
ReplyDeleteNotably, the building wouldn't be what it is today without Patrick, and he isn't mentioned anywhere. He passed away not long after the original museum opened and is missed by many.
Otterness is known for playful approaches to serious subject matter. His bronze installation "The Real World" in NYC's Battery Park City is an allegory of western life and the struggle and deceptions of getting money. Pithy and humorous considering it's location near the financial district. He's become famous for public installations worldwide.
Full disclosure: I knew Mr. Lannan, and own several Otterness pieces.
A mention of him was in the PB Post...read that. It was also in the material given out yesterday. Everyone can read that. This is a blog, Russ--not an historical synopsis of the building. Thanks for filling us all in on Lannan.
ReplyDeleteStrange. You were 100% against the Cultural Council moving to the city yet you rushed there as soon as it opened. Why would someone do that?
ReplyDeleteSorry. What is STRANGE here is some people who like to make-up stuff. I was never against them moving here. I was against THE Cra GIVING THEM $700,000. As far as writing about it, it is news, is it not?
ReplyDeleteIf the CRA hadn't offered the $700K, there's a possibility they would have found other enticing diggs to make their headquarters.
ReplyDeleteAs for Patrick Lannan, his home on Palm Beach was a museum in its own right. What a place! Also, as you came to Flagler Drive on Forest Hill Blvd., you could see large art on his lawn directly across the ICW.
Anyone who hasn't seen the "war of the sexes" sculpture, it could take some time, but your in for an experience. Now imagine Lannan's whole house, inside and out, variations of that and much more.
We all complain about the costs associated with bringing a worthwhile entity here, but once they arrive, it's all good for our little town.
Congratulations to us. WE have the Palm Beach Cultural Council here in Lake Worth.
c
Highly unlikely as they got the building for FREE. But thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDelete