Florida Culture for the Week of November 14 by Josh Garrick

Major Achievement
This week our column is about honoring Floridians who have both “achieved and given back” in ways that make Florida a better place for all of us.  Please know that every person mentioned in this week’s column is deserving of an article unto themselves, and the words that I add here represent only the highlights of lives which may – and SHOULD – inspire us all … We begin with the always-touching Annual Junior Achievement Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame held on November 2nd in which 3 “laureates” were inducted into the Hall of Fame along with the Spirit of Achievement award. This year’s laureates include Linda Chapin, Jimmy Hewitt, the late Hy Lake, and Jacob Stuart, each of whom was introduced by a poised and confident young person whose life has been inspired by the lessons learned through Junior Achievement. Linda Chapin – perhaps the finest “public servant” ever to serve the citizens of Florida – was the first lady to serve as Mayor of Orange County. During her tenure, construction was completed on the Courthouse, the Convention Center, and the History Center along with numerous parks and environmental land purchases. Jimmy Hewitt is best known for his role in bringing the NBA to Orlando and serving as founder and owner of the Orlando Magic until 1992.  The late Hy Lake was a real estate mogul who spent his life fighting discrimination and supporting the Arts.  His wife Harriet, who carries on as the leading Arts philanthropist in Central Florida, accepted the award on behalf of her husband in an unforgettable speech that was both touching and humorous.  Jacob Stuart, President of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce for nearly 25 years, has fostered initiatives in every aspect of the lives of Central Floridians – from education to healthcare.  Sincere congratulations to all.

Major Accomplishments
Winter Park’s Full Sail University held their emotionally-charged Hall of Fame induction ceremony the following Monday. I could not have foreseen the sincere sense of “family” that these (now famous) Full Sail graduates exuded from every corner of the campus.  Full Sail is known for its technical expertise, but every one of the inductees talked about finding “the right place” and the feeling of family that the campus gives to its students.  Remember, these are the kids who used to run the AV equipment in high school, so their time at Full Sail gave them a “home” and sense of inclusion they never had. Their accomplishments would take pages, so I list only a few of the inductees’ achievements.  They include Darren Lynn Bousman, Director of the Saw Horror series II, III, and  IV; Laurie Brugger, Senior Rigger on a host of films including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; Culley Bunker, MTV Video Music Award nominee and visual effects director for feature films and music videos for Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, and The Black Eyed Peas; Jameson Durall, Design Director on games including Red Faction: Armageddon, The Godfather II, and The Simpsons Game; David Farmer, Sound Designer for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy; and Sean Spuehler, Audio Engineer for Madonna (nuff said?).  Then – at lunch – I learned that Arts leaders Donna Dowless and Chip Weston both teach at Full Sail, and that clinched the deal for this writer.  With teachers like that, it’s no wonder these young people are going on to do great things. Visit fullsail.edu

Scholarship Awards
With a similar sense of pride, the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida announced their 2012 Trustee Scholars highlighting the accomplishments of 11 students from around the world. Of the 11 scholars honored, 4 are from Florida.  Considered the College’s highest honor and given to students whose hard work, talent, a¬¬¬nd dedication exemplify excellence, the Trustee Scholars were recognized at an awards celebration joined by Trustees, faculty, family and friends. Each student was awarded a $3,000 scholarship. They include Morgana Rees of Orlando, Marilyn Garman of Bradenton, Elizabeth McMahill of Sanford, and George Carr of Homestead, Florida. An exhibit featuring the Scholars’ artwork may be viewed through December 8 at the Willis Smith Galleries in the College’s Academic Center. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Visit Ringling.edu

George Carr

Elizabeth McMahill

Marylin Garman

Morgana Rees

A National Teaching Award
When Evans High School opens its new campus on January 3, the school will have a unique award to place front and center in their trophy case. At this time of awards and honors, Winter Park native Lamar Fowler, an algebra and geometry teacher at Evans High School, was almost speechless as it was announced that he was “one of America's top teachers.”  Presented by Jane Foley of the Milken Family Foundation, the “Oscars of Teaching” includes a $25,000 award for the recipient. Further distinction comes from the fact that Fowler is the only teacher in Florida to receive the honor this year. In a packed gathering in the school’s cafeteria, Principal David Christiansen spoke of Fowler’s dedication and his “ability to reach kids who are considered unreachable.” The son of a single mother, Fowler reluctantly accepted the microphone and once again encouraged his students, saying “Nothing levels the playing field like a good education.”

Lamar Fowler 

Husband and Wife Artists
The husband-and-wife Artist team of Edson Campos and Kathleen Brodeur will exhibit their newest paintings beginning Thursday, November 17 at the Gallery at Avalon Island – one of the “anchor” galleries for the 3rd Thursday event in which Downtown Orlando art galleries present their newest work – allowing us to catch up on all that is new – in one evening. Kathleen Brodeur has a degree in fine art from Florida State University and works with a palette knife in oils. Her skillful hands produce colorful landscapes in work collected throughout the country. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Edson Campos has been a painter since childhood. He moved to the U.S. in 1978, quickly establishing himself as an artist of the highest caliber. He has exhibited throughout the world, winning a medal at Paris’ prestigious Grand Palais in 2009. In addition, both husband and wife are currently exhibiting in a group show in Paris. C’est bon! The Orlando exhibit may be viewed through December 9 with an Artist’s Reception set for November 17 from 6 to 9 pm. The Gallery is at 39 S. Magnolia Ave in Orlando. Call 407.312.0708 or visit GalleryatAvalonIsland.com

art by K. Brodeur

art by E. Campos

Deserving of an Award …
If you’ve ever had the toe-tapping pleasure of watching Winter Park Playhouse’s Artistic Director Roy Alan tap his way into the persona of Fred Astaire or create a ‘period piece’ of a musical, then you can understand it was only a matter of time until he would tap his way into the music of theatre legend Cole Porter. Now, the multi-talented Mr. Alan has created a new work – a singing, dancing Tribute to Cole Porter – which he is calling Anything Cole!, and which I promise you will sing and dance its way into your heart. This World Premiere will happen right here in Winter Park and will run through December 17. The music is a list of Cole Porter’s ‘greatest hits’ from Broadway and the movies, including Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate, and Silk Stockings.  And the only thing that could be more exciting is the cast including Roy Alan, Natalie Cordone, Steven Flaa, Brian Minyard, Candace Neal, and Kate Zaloumes. It’s like a virtual ‘who’s who’ of the finest singing-actors in Central Florida. The Winter Park Playhouse is at 711 Orange Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

cast of Anything Cole

Debbie Komanski Speaks …
This lady has such innate charm and wit that I could happily sit and listen to her read me the telephone book, so her up-coming visit to the Speaker Series at the Winter Park Historical Association is sure to be both fun and interesting. Debbie, the Executive Director of the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, has real “Memories of Winter Park” which she will share on Wednesday, November 16 beginning at 11:30 am. (They suggest we bring a brown bag lunch, and the Association will provide free drinks and dessert). A native of Winter Park and graduate of Winter Park High and UCF, Debbie brings a deep knowledge of the history of the area to the Polasek Museum. Over the years, Debbie has served as president of a number of organizations including the UCF Alumni Association, and she is currently President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Winter Park. Her talk will take place at the Winter Park Welcome Center at 151 West Lyman Avenue. The event is free, but seating is limited, so reservations are a good idea. Call 407.647.2330

Debbie Komanski speaks ...

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators