One place art lovers may want to visit twice this week is Gallery 14. The gallery will hold an artist’s reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 for its new show, “Derek Gores: Paper Goods.” The exhibition comprises more than 25 new collages inspired by the Florida seaside. “Sometimes, I’m known for more black-and-white or star fashion-inspired work,” Gores said. “But in this show, following the year we’ve all experienced, I felt compelled to showcase sun and optimism.” The exhibition runs to Feb. 26. Gallery 14 is at 1911 14th Ave., Vero Beach. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays. It is also open by appointment. Call 772-562-5525 or visit Gallery14VeroBeach.com. The gallery will hold another meet-and-greet the next day during the First Friday Gallery Stroll, held in the artsy, casual and stimulating environs of Vero Beach’s 14th Avenue Art District, along 14th Avenue from 21st Street to 18th Street. The gallery stroll runs 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please continue to practice social distancing and wear those masks.
The Emerson Center will hold a free video and discussion seminar on “Reconstruction: The Origins of Our World Today.” The seminar will explore the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s as well as social issues that took over headlines in 2020. The seminar is being presented in part by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach. It is a four-session seminar starting 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 and running through Feb. 27. Social distancing required as well as facemasks. Attendance is limited to 100 people (the auditorium normally seats more than 850). The seminar is free. The Emerson Center is at 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. To register, call 772-778-5880 or email marketing@theemersoncenter.com.
Music and art combine Sunday at the Vero Beach Museum of Art when the Atlantic Classical Orchestra Chamber Music Series performs Amy Beach’s String Quartet and Antonin Dvorak’s String Quartet no. 12, op. 96 “American Quartet.” The musical program reflects the museum’s current exhibition, which has works by the Hudson River School of artists. As for the music, Alaskan Inuit tunes inspired Beach’s composition, while folk music from a Czech community in Iowa inspired Dvorak’s work. Tickets are $50 general and $35 museum members. Tickets for children and students are $5. Tickets include admission to the galleries. The concert begins 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7. Strict social distancing and facemask guidelines are enforced. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is at 3001 Riverside Park Dr. Call 772-231-0707 or visit VBMuseum.org.
Speaking of masks … the Vero Beach Art Club will hold a mask making workshop this weekend. Instructors Ann Dozetos and Cheryl Franklin will show you how to become a “Mascherari,” which were Venetian mask makers. You do have to pay, and you do have to register ahead of time, but this sounds like a pretty freewheeling workshop. It’s BYOB for adults. Workshop is noon to 3 p.m. (ish) Saturday, Feb. 6. $20 members and $25 non-members. There will also be a Kids Saturday mask-making workshop (BYOJ – Bring Your Own Juice) from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Deadline to register is Thursday, Feb. 4. The workshop will be held at the Art Club Annex & Gallery, 1903 14th Ave., Vero Beach. Call 772-217-3345 or visit VeroBeachArtClub.org.
Now it’s time to plan ahead for next week’s celebration of Valentine’s Day. Yes, it’s that close. And there just won’t be anything better than “Love on the Lagoon,” a wonderful outdoor event presented by the Environmental Learning Center. This event will take Valentine’s Day celebrants on half-hour evening canoe rides. Guests will glide through the ELC’s mangrove forest, which has been festooned with lights. The rub here is that you must sign up now. Don’t wait until next week because this is a very limited event. “Love on the Lagoon” runs 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday next week, Feb. 11-12. You need to arrive 15 minutes prior to your launch time to allow check in. Also, be sure to wear sensible closed-toe and closed-heeled shoes (slip into your flirty Louboutins later). You need a facemask. All canoe participants need to be at least 5 years old. The cost is $15. Book early because spaces are limited. The Environmental Learning Center is at 255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach. Call 772-589-5050 or visit DiscoverELC.org.