As you read my column this morning, I am in my first official meeting of the Florida Council on Arts and Culture on the 22nd floor of the Capitol in Tallahassee.
The meeting, however, is not the first official activity of my two-year tenure in the 15-member volunteer council since Senate President Don Gaetz appointed me in January. In fact, if all goes as planned, it will be the third.
The first was a visit to Tallahassee on March 1 for orientation. Dr. Ruth Orth from Pensacola, another new council member appointed by Sen. Gaetz, also attended.
Although the weather was anything but hospitable — cold, cloudy and windy — the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs couldn’t have been more welcoming.
Among the many people passionate about the arts I met that day were Sandy Shaughnessy, division director, and Patty Warren, associate director of government and finance.
They were our primary guides for the day, which started at the division’s historic home base, the charming Brokaw -McDougall House. Even on a brutal winter’s day, its warm marigold exterior drew us in.
After a Powerpoint overview of the division, we headed over to the R.A. Gray Building where Kerri Post, deputy secretary of state, greeted us.
Secretary of State Ken Detzner arrived a few minutes later dressed for an archaeological dig he was going on later.
The Florida Department of State oversees cultural affairs, historical resources and libraries and archives.
Both were interested in finding ways to get out the word about programs, events and activities, so it turned out I could help after all.
Then Sandy and Patty took Ruth and me on a whirlwind tour of the Museum of Florida History, which is in the R.A. Gray Building.
It was amazing! I’d never been there before and could have spent hours looking at everything.
Sandy and Patty were pleased to learn I run notices in Showcase for the special exhibits at the museum, and I can report firsthand now the “Reflections” art exhibit on display through May 6 is gorgeous.
Also, in the R.A. lobby, I saw the original painting by Jackson Walker that was featured on the cover of Showcase a few weeks ago! Can you tell I was a little excited about all of this?
We returned to the Brokaw-McDougall House for a delicious lunch prepared by Rachelle Ashmore, operations manager and administrative assistant.
Although the division’s ranks were depleted that day by illness, we met Ken Crawford, arts administrator; Maureen McKloski, also an arts administrator; Dale Scheetz, grants specialist III; and Michelle Proctor, government operations consultant I.
Among other things, Ken manages the Poetry Out Loud program, which some local schools participate in, and the Florida Artists Hall of Fame program.
In fact, my second official activity was to attend the Hall of Fame presentation Wednesday evening at Mission San Luis in Tallahassee. It’s the highest cultural honor the state can bestow on an individual.
These year’s inductees are singer Gloria Estefan, folk balladeer Frank Thomas and painter Laura Woodward, who is being inducted posthumously. Some of Woodward’s work is included in “Reflections.”
This is all part of the 10th annual Florida Heritage Month, which began March 15 and continues until April 15. You can find more details on the website, floridaheritagemonth.com.
I’ve already learned more about Florida arts and culture than I thought possible. I look forward to sharing it with you.