National Arts & Humanities Month – Polk County
Take A Class
Consider getting out of your comfort zone by learning something new. And don’t worry about it if you think you won’t be any good at it. Kurt Vonnegut, the renowned American author put it rightly when he said, “Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.” So here are a few local “soul-growing” options:
Basket Making – For October, Marcia Morse Mullins of the Bartow Art Guild is offering a three-week course on pine-needle basket making.
The Art of Palm Painting – Learn how to paint on palm fronds down in Frostproof at Florida Wildflower Studios.
Acting Classes – Think you’re the next Hollywood star? Consider Karissa Barber’s Acting For Film Classes in November. Or how about perfecting your musical theatre chops with a vocal lesson from Broadway Beginnings’ founder, Elizabeth Burton? You can even learn the art of improv with Out of the Box Improv at the Ritz Theatre in Winter Haven.
Beginning Pottery – Ever wanted to “throw a pot?” Then check out the Lake Wales Art Council’s Beginning Pottery Wheel classes.
Acrylic Painting – Get in touch with your inner Van Gogh by taking a painting class from renowned nature painter, Stephen Koury.
Purchase a Membership or Subscription
You can directly support local arts and cultural organizations by buying season subscriptions or membership. When you do this, not only do you have access to their offerings, but if for some reason, you’re unable to attend one of the events, the organization has still benefitted from your patronage.
The Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College – Support Polk’s art museum by becoming a member. You’ll get access to special members-only events as well as discounts on purchases.
The Lakeland Symphony Orchestra – By purchasing a season subscription, you’ll guarantee yourself a seat to hear Polk’s only professional orchestra.
All The World’s A Stage – Buy tickets from Theatre Winter Haven or Lakeland Community Theatre to experience local LIVE theatre.
Bok Tower Gardens – When you purchase a membership to the historic Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, you’re giving yourself a ticket for year-round beauty.
Festival of Fine Arts – Florida Southern College’s Festival of Fine Arts is an annual event series featuring dance, music, theatre, and visual arts offerings.
Take A Cultural Tour
Perhaps less publicized than other arts and cultural offerings, Polk County abounds with intriguing historical or architectural tours – many of which are self-guided so you can move at your own pace.
Old Polk County Courthouse – Visit the Polk History Center which now occupies the site of the iconic Polk County Courthouse to get an architectural tour of the 1920-era building and learn more about its history.
Citrus Label Tour – Sponsored by the Davenport Historical Society, you can learn more about the art of citrus (and Polk’s past) by checking out Citrus Labels found throughout Polk County.
Frank Lloyd Wright Tour – Check out the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world at Florida Southern College.
Frostproof Heritage Trail – Enjoy a peek into Frostproof’s historical past on this small-group tour.
Visit A Museum
Florida Air Museum – Visit the Florida Air Museum to see the world’s largest collection of Howard Hughes memorabilia and artifacts.
Lake Wales History Museum – Noting that “every town has an important history to celebrate,” the Lake Wales History Museum offers a glimpse into the past of one of Polk’s oldest communities.
Florida Children’s Museum – Though it doesn’t open at its new location until early November, the Florida Children’s Museum located at the beautiful (and new) Bonnet Springs Park offers our youngest residents engaging opportunities to learn and play.
The Mulberry Phosphate Museum – This museum, which features an actual rail car, will teach you why Mulberry, FL was once known as the “Phosphate Capital of the World.”
The African American Heritage Museum – The African American Heritage Museum, located in downtown Bartow, is a place where visitors can learn about the rich and diverse experiences of being a person of African American descent in Central Florida.
Buy Local Art
One of the best ways to celebrate the arts and humanities is to support the artists who create the art – and what better way to do that than by purchasing local art. You can visit these locations to see and purchase artwork.
Mitchell’s Coffee House – This Lakeland landmark eatery fills its walls with rotating exhibits from local artists.
Florida Wildflower Studios – This gallery in downtown Frostproof offers an eclectic variety of local arts and crafts.
Pressed Books – Housed in an independent bookstore in downtown Lakeland, Vakti Gallery offers visitors a rotating selection from Central Florida Artists.
Winter Haven Farmers Market – Taking place every Saturday in Downtown Winter Haven, the market features more than fresh meat and produce. It also has many artisan vendors who offer art and craftwork items.
Mulberry Cultural Center – In addition to offering art classes and exhibitions of artists’ work, the Mulberry Cultural Center also sells the work of the featured artists.