VERO BEACH — One of the most difficult decisions for the ladies of the Circle, a philanthropic group that supports the Vero Beach Museum of Art Community Engagement Programs, is determining which of the museum’s numerous outreach programs will be awarded that year’s funding.
The group was formed in 2009 to help offset budgetary cuts to arts funding on state and national levels, and in its first four years, the Circle has granted close to $85,000, providing cultural opportunities to individuals who might otherwise have little or no access to the arts.
Circle members and their guests were invited to a breakfast at the Quail Valley River Club hosted by co-chair Susan Smith, learning of the outstanding success of one of the programs they funded this past spring.
The occasion was also cause for celebration with the introduction of Wendy Fisher, owner of Dede’s Shoe Salon, as the 100th member.
Funds last year were directed to a weekly art instruction program to children at the Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center, a partnership program with the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association for patients and their caregivers, and ArtLab, an after-school program introducing high school students to exhibitions and studio art activities.
It was an ArtLab project which took home the prize – literally.
The art museum was recently presented with the Campus Community Partnership Award from Florida Campus Compact for its ArtLab project with Indian River State College. The award was accepted on behalf of the museum by Shanti Sanchez, School and Youth Programs manager, at a statewide awards gala in Boca Raton.
At the breakfast, Lucinda Gedeon, VBMA executive director/CEO thanked the ladies for their support which has allowed the museum’s educational programs to not only continue but to flourish.
“The collaboration that we’re particularly proud of is called STEM to STEAM,” said Gedeon, referring to the nationwide movement to incorporate Arts into Science, Technology, Engineering and Math skills, as a way to enhance academic learning.
“We were interested in showing how art can help students grasp science and technology through art,” added Sanchez.
ArtLab is closely tied into museum exhibits; in this particular project with the exhibition, Simply Beautiful: Photographs from National Geographic.
Indian River County High School students who are dually enrolled at Indian River State College participated in a multi-faceted learning opportunity in collaboration with the Indian River Land Trust to increase awareness of the environmental issues with the Indian River Lagoon.
Participants photographed local natural environments, including the lagoon and lands protected through the Land Trust, photos which were then put on display at the museum as a way to demonstrate the power of conservation through photography.
ArtLab is just one of the many outreach programs designed to encourage children and youth to visit the museum and enrich their lives through art.
“After 5th grade, they might not have that opportunity,” said Sanchez, adding that many of their programs are designed to use art to address community needs.
She referenced last year’s enormous soup can sculpture homage to Warhol – when it was dismantled, the cans were all donated to a local food bank.
Potential and current members are welcomed to attend the next meeting of the Circle, 10 a.m. March 25 at the Museum; site visit reports will be presented to determine finalists which will be voted on at the annual meeting in April.
