Collaboration: Bicycle and Poetry shows draw crowd

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Visitors to the first collaborative arts openings at the galleries in City Marketplace shook off the rain and had a great time viewing art and listening to winning poetry entries at the bicycle-theme event. Art and poetry alike highlighted the bicycle-theme show, sponsored by the Gargiulo Art Foundation and Flagler County Art League. Bicycle art was hung in both the FCAL and Hollingsworth galleries. Poetry was read at the art league.

“Up to two years ago, our organizations were all going their own way,” said Tom Gargiulo, founder of the Gargiulo Art Foundation and lifetime member of FCAL. “That’s all changed. We’re all working together now to put on great events.”

Getchen Fletcher, of Fort Lauderdale, won first place in the poetry contest, which launched the event, for her poem, “Cita Enters the Light: An Elegy.” Second place went to Harry Messersmith, a sculptor from DeLand, for “Spoke,” and third place, to Mitzi J. Coats, of Ormond Beach, for “Wheels.”

The contest was judged by Joyce Sweeney, an award-winning author, poet and writing coach from Coral Springs, and Al Hubbs, a poet, actor, teacher and photographer from Orlando. The poetry portion was organized by Stephanie Salkin.

At the Hollingsworth Gallery, a rich array of bicycle art filled all walls, and a book of nearly 30 poems entered in the poetry competition was available for viewing. Approximately 40 artists participated in the bicycle exhibitions at both Hollingsworth and FCAL galleries. The shows will hang until Aug. 3.

In addition, some 20 artists participated in FCAL’s second-annual Summer Sales Show, with a floor-to-ceiling display of more than 100 works. Winning poetry and judges’ poetry were displayed on FCAL walls as well, while bicycle art covered another wall.

City Repertory Theatre also hosted a poetry slam following the gallery openings and bicycle poetry readings. Six contestants shared the stage and were required to write within five minutes on a poetry topic announced on the spot. The subject for the first round was “things in motion,” and the subject for the second round was “speed.”

Messersmith won first place in the slam. “This is a newly discovered talent for me,” he said.

Artistic professionalism panel scheduled for July 27
In conjunction with the "Art of the Bicycle" shows currently at the Hollingsworth and FCAL galleries, The Gargiulo Art Foundation Inc. will host an artists panel discussion on artistic professionalism at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at Hollingsworth Gallery.

Artist panelists will include Ann DeLucia, president of the Flagler County Art League; Harry Messersmith, former director of the Deland Museum of Art; and Weldon and Richlin Ryan, curators of the Bethune-Cookman University in the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Art Center Gallery, in Daytona Beach.

J.J. Graham, curator and Hollingsworth Gallery owner, and Tom Gargiulo, founder of the Gargiulo Art Foundation, will serve as moderators.

All the panelists have entries at the galleries in the current "Art of the Bicycle Show" at City Marketplace.