Please join us for the opening reception on, Thursday, June 29, 2023 from 5-7 p.m. at 126 W. Petris Ave., Oakland, FL.

The local art and history exhibition will feature Oakland’s origins in the citrus industry and the Great Vegetable Region. Learn about the Oakland’s original citrus and vegetable farms, the major players in the industry, and contributions to Florida’s agricultural history.

Enjoy the sounds of Banjo Player and Oakland resident, Anthony Dixon, as you learn about Oakland’s historic agricultural roots and view art from local artists. Afterwards, grab a sweet treat from Oakland General Store, the Town’s newest concessionaire, located on the West Orange Trail next to the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at The Town of Oakland.

The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center invites all artists to submit all medium of art with a theme of citrus, agriculture, pastoral scenes, and still lifes. Send photo, title, medium, and size or questions to: arts&heritage@oaklandfl.gov

For more information, visit www.oaklandfl.gov or www.facebook.com/oaktownusa.

The post Oakland Unveiling Special Citrus Art And History Exhibit Meet The Artists: June 29, 5-7 p.m. appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Local Florida artists, including Racheal Foley, Adrienne Lee, Jambvant Ramoutar, Julio Milanes, Joseph Warren, David Minichiello, Anne Fanelli, Heather Lorenz, Loulia Kachirskaia, Carissa Imel and more, will display artwork that celebrates movement and transportation on roads, waterways, trains, cars, bikes, boats, planes, and more in the vibrant  “Land, Water, Air” display.

While browsing art, attendees will have the opportunity to dig deeper into the stories behind Oakland’s historic street names, as part of the “Old Town Road” history exhibit. Explore Oakland’s history of thriving citrus groves, industrial center, and social hub of Central Florida through the lens of the major players of Oakland’s past, featuring historic photographs and artifacts. In 1886, over 136 years ago, the Town of Oakland was officially platted in a uniform square of roughly ten blocks. First Avenue through Eighth Avenue were the East/West roads, and First Street through Tenth Street were North/South. These simple street names remained the same for 86 years, until 1972 when town leaders decided to rename the streets to honor those who put the Town on the map: Oakland’s historic figures, early pioneers, and officials.

Visitors may also view the Center’s permanent exhibits, including the historic Oakland Presbyterian Church’s beautifully illuminated stained-glass window, dating back to the 1919 brick structure, and a video presentation on the continuing historic preservation of Oakland’s Historic African-American Cemetery.

The exhibition will run through Aug. 26. The Center, located at 126 W. Petris Ave., is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on the 4^th Fridays of the month during the summer and on select Saturdays. For more information, visitwww.oaklandfl.gov/artsandheritage.

###

About the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland
The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center is committed to preserving Oakland’s past, present and future. Working with its partners, the Center provides important tools and social connections to help residents eat well, stay active and enjoy life. This project is funded in part by a $1 million lead grant from the West Orange Healthcare District, as well as funding from Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and countless other donors. The Center supports the mission of Healthy West Orange, a grassroots movement to inspire west Orange County to become the healthiest community in the nation. For more information, visitwww.oaklandfl.gov/artsandheritage and www.facebook.com/HWOAHatOakland.

The post Oakland Unveils Joint History And Art Exhibition -Visitors Invited To Explore ‘Old Town Road’ And ‘Land, Water, Air” appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

“Celebrating Hispanic Heritage” will display the works of local artists in the greater Orlando area – including Oakland – who have been touched and influenced by the beauty of the Hispanic culture. National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans and celebrates heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.

From smaller artworks to pottery, all artists are welcome to submit their pieces for consideration by visiting artofescapes.com. For more information or questions, contact Gabriella West at 407-969-8897 or theartofescapes@icloud.com. Submissions are due Monday, Aug. 23.

The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center features an elegant gallery focusing on local art, history and wellness. The Center has welcomed more than 700 visitors from Central Florida since opening in January.

*****

About the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland

The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center is committed to preserving Oakland’s past, present and future. Working with its partners, the Center provides important tools and social connections to help residents eat well, stay active and enjoy life. This project is funded in part by a $1 million lead grant from the West Orange Healthcare District, as well as funding from Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and countless other donors. The Center supports the mission of Healthy West Orange, a grassroots movement to inspire west Orange County to become the healthiest community in the nation. For more information, visit www.oaklandfl.gov/artsandheritage and www.facebook.com/HWOAHatOakland.

The post Healthy West Orange Arts And Heritage Center At The Town of Oakland Seeks Artists For New Exhibition Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month (Submissions Due By August 23) appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Dave Minichiello is a retired Walt Disney Imagineer and an alumnus of the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. During his time as an Imagineer, he worked with teams as the executive creative director to design, art direct and build many now-classic Disney-themed experiences and attractions around the world for more than 41 years. Dave has also had a passion for painting his whole life. He has traveled all over the world both personally and professionally and he documented his journeys by doing “plein air,” or outdoor painting on location and travel sketchbooks.

Joe Warren is a retired Walt Disney Imagineer, where he was the creative lead producing art and illustration as well as managing a team of artists and designers for 23 years. He also assisted with an artist development program which included plein air painting locally and in Montana. Before his time at Disney, Joe taught painting and was the head of the Art Department at Kenyatta University. He taught drawing at Wayne State University. He holds an MFA and MA in Art from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

On Friday, May 28, the Center and the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation will host their first Art Scavenger Hunt. This free, COVID-19 safe activity will allow families and their children to learn more about the history of Oakland and Winter Garden while discovering artworks in a new adventurous way. Visitors will even receive a special gift – courtesy of Healthy West Orange – upon completing the scavenger hunt (while supplies last) at each location. They will also enjoy live music by Mud Rooster, a HAPCO live Band, while they participate in the scavenger hunt at the Center.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation will be open from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 27 and Friday, May 28. The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland is open on Fridays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. each week.

About the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland

The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center is committed to preserving Oakland’s past, present and future. The Center supports the mission of Healthy West Orange, a grassroots movement to inspire west Orange County to become the healthiest community in the nation. Working with its partners, the Center will provide important tools and social connections to help residents eat well, stay active and enjoy life. This project is funded in part by a $1 million lead grant from the West Orange Healthcare District, as well as funding from Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and countless other donors. For more information, visitwww.oaklandfl.gov/artsandheritage and www.facebook.com/HWOAHatOakland. 

About Winter Garden Heritage Foundation

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s mission is “to document and preserve the heritage and architecture of West Orange County, while creating new cultural experiences.” In support of this mission, the WGHF preserves historic structures, material, and artifacts; creates educational programs, publications, and exhibitions on the area’s history; operates the Winter Garden Heritage Museum and the Central Florida Railroad Museum; and produces cultural events that boost economic vitality. The WGHF partners with the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland by sharing, researching, and displaying items from Oakland’s rich history.

The post Oakland Highlights Former Walt Disney Imagineers’ Art in May appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

 The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland, located at 126 Petris Ave., is committed to preserving Oakland’s past, present and future. The Center gives visitors the opportunity to see the Town of Oakland like never before as they step into a gallery full of paintings, historical photos, artifacts and more – all featuring Oakland as its centerpiece.

 The inaugural exhibit explores Oakland’s history as the industrial and social hub of Orange County more than 130 years ago. Conceptualized in conjunction with the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation (WGHF), it features framed historic photographs and content outlining Oakland’s early history. Additionally, the exhibit feature items relating to Oakland’s incorporation in 1887, such as minute books, the Town seal and artifacts borrowed from the Oakland Nature Preserve. A cornerstone piece at the Center is the historic Oakland Presbyterian Church-stained glass window. This window was made for the second Oakland Presbyterian Church building, a brick structure that rose on the southeast corner of Starr Street and Oakland Avenue in 1919.

The Center is celebrating Black History Month, highlighting how Oakland’s first African American elected officials helped shape the Town. Additionally, Center staff is working with Orange County Regional History Center historians to preserve and share oral histories of Oakland’s past, including descendants of those buried in the Historic African American Cemetery. The Town also plans to host a History Harvest in which all residents are invited to share their stories to be recorded and archived by the History Center and shared at the Center and on Oakland’s website.

“We’re so thrilled to welcome visitors to the much-anticipated Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland,” said Kathy Stark, Mayor of Oakland. “The Town is excited to share our rich history and love of the arts with the community, as we invite guests to step inside and learn about what makes Oakland such a special place. We’d also like to thank our valued donors, partners and community stakeholders for their support in sharing our vision.”

“This beautiful new Center will become an important part of life in Oakland and will help us amplify our work in the community,” said West Orange Healthcare District Board Chair Rod Talbot.

“The District launched the Healthy West Orange movement five years ago to engage directly with those who live and work here, promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging people to eat well and stay active. Through our partnership with the Town of Oakland, the new Center will become a vibrant hub for health and wellness and a new way for us to reach and motivate District residents.”

In the months to come, the Center will host health and wellness programming both inside and outside the Center, including a robust calendar of fitness classes, nutrition programs and special community events.

Center capacity will be limited to 10 persons at a time. Visitors should maintain social distancing, observe local mask mandates and use hand sanitizer upon entry.

For more information, visit www.oaklandfl.gov.

About the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland

The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center is committed to preserving Oakland’s past, present and future. The Center supports the mission of Healthy West Orange, a grassroots movement to inspire west Orange County to become the healthiest community in the nation. Working with its partners, the Center will provide important tools and social connections to help residents eat well, stay active and enjoy life. This project is funded in part by a $1 million lead grant from the West Orange Healthcare District, as well as funding from Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and countless other donors. For more information, visit www.oaklandfl.gov/artsandheritage.

About the West Orange Healthcare District

The West Orange Healthcare District (WOHD) is an independent special healthcare district created in 1949 by the Florida Legislature and governed by a 16-member, volunteer board appointed by the Governor of Florida. Now in its 72^nd year, the District has awarded more than $180 million in local community grants to enhance residents’ health and wellness. For more, visit www.wohd1949.org.

The post Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center Opens At The Town of Oakland appeared first on South Lake Tablet.