CULTURAL COUNCIL FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY SHOWCASES SOME OF THE BEST ARTISTS IN THE PALM BEACHES WITH BIENNIAL 2023 EXHIBITION

April 27, 2023

Dazzling new exhibition features works by more than 30 Palm Beach County-based professional artists

The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is inviting visitors to come and experience the diversity and breadth of work created by artists living and working in The Palm Beaches with its Biennial 2023 exhibition.

Free and open to the public through June 24, the new exhibition highlights some of the best professional artists in Palm Beach County. A juried show that is presented every two years, the exhibition features more than 30 artists displaying work that spans across various mediums, including video, painting, photography and sculpture.

At the exhibition’s opening reception on April 20, three professional artists were awarded the exhibition’s highest honors and cash prizes. Boca Raton-based artist Fulya Acikgoz earned Best of Show for her oil painting “Turkish Porcelain Plates,” while Delray Beach-based artist Lucia Gomez earned Second Place for her mixed media oil painting “City Memoirs No. 2853” and Lake Park-based artist Lupe Lawrence earned Third Place for her oil painting “I Will Fly a Kite.” All who attend the exhibition will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite piece, with a final People’s Choice award unveiled at the end of the exhibition after all votes are tallied up.

The Palm Beach County-based professional artists featured in Biennial 2023 are Fulya Acikgoz, Milena Arango, Molly Aubry, Robert Barra, Robert Catapano, Mark Cohen, Gregory Dirr, Martha Dominguez, Pia Dugger, Arlet Gomez, Lucia Gomez, Caren Hackman, Jay Hatfield, Joe Horton, Kianga Jinaki (Cultural Council Artist Innovation Fellow), Anthea Kerou, Bogdan Kravchenko, Lupe Lawrence, Kyle Lucks, Kaleigh Koss, Craig McInnis, Jane McIntyre, Kristin Miller, Pamela O’Brien Morton, Hilary Pulitzer, Dan Remmel, Annina Ruest, Nadine Saitlin, Karen H. Salup, Ashlee Sanford, Barry Seidman, Ted Shaine, Kim Rae Taylor and Elaine Weber.

“Our Biennial 2023 exhibition showcases some of the very best in Palm Beach County,” said Dave Lawrence, the Cultural Council’s president and CEO. “We have world class artists living here in Palm Beach County and are so proud to showcase their work. We’d love to invite everyone to come see this phenomenal exhibition.”

Guest juror Juana Williams — associate curator of African American Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Michigan — combed through more than 300 applications from Palm Beach County professional artists to select which artists and pieces to include in the show.

“There’s an expansive amount of talent in Palm Beach County,” Williams said. “Technique matters, but I also sought profound or unique elements in each piece when selecting the works for this show. I think visitors will be surprised to see the wonderful variety of mediums and subjects that this exhibition encompasses.”

Based in Detroit, Williams has guest-curated exhibitions at galleries and museums across the U.S., has presented lectures at numerous venues and contributed to multiple exhibition catalogues. She is passionate about engaging communities, elevating diverse voices, and giving a platform to artists for innovative expression. She also persistently advocates for supporting artists and preserving art-centered spaces.

“Each juror brings their own eye to an exhibition, and this year is no exception,” said Jessica Ransom, the Cultural Council’s director of artist services, who curated the exhibition. “Juana Williams has chosen a wide range of media and a diverse group of artists that showcase both abstract and realistic works. This exhibition truly represents this cultural moment.”

The show is located in the Cultural Council’s Main Gallery at its downtown Lake Worth Beach headquarters; exhibition hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. The exhibition is sponsored by Ellen Liman, The Palm Beach Art Collection, Palm Beach Media Group and Florida Weekly.

About the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County

The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. Headquartered in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. building in Downtown Lake Worth Beach, the Council presents exciting year-round exhibitions and performances featuring artists who live or work in Palm Beach County. The Council features spectacular work by Palm Beach County-based professional artisans in its Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store, offers complimentary resources for visitors in its Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center and hosts frequent events in its outdoor Project Space, offering views of the building’s iconic Martin Luther King Jr. mural by renowned Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. The council is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and a comprehensive calendar of cultural events in The Palm Beaches, visit palmbeachculture.com.

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Media Contact:
Linnea Bailey (561) 713-0673
pr@palmbeachculture.com

Calendar items:

Exhibition: Biennial 2023 — Through June 24, 2023

Presented every two years, the Cultural Council’s Biennial is a celebrated exhibition highlighting some of the best artists in Palm Beach County. A juried show, Biennial 2023 features more than 30 artists across varied mediums, including video, painting, mixed-media, photography and sculpture. Come and experience the diversity and breadth of creativity of artists living and working in this incredible cultural community. Associate Curator of African American Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts and writer Juana Williams served as the guest juror for this exhibition (curated by Jessica Ransom, the Cultural Council’s director of artist services). Prizes have been awarded for Best of Show, Second Place and Third Place, and all visitors can vote on a People’s Choice award. This free public exhibition is in the Main Gallery at the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, located in The Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building at 601 Lake Avenue in Lake Worth Beach. Hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call (561) 471-2901 or visit palmbeachculture.com.

Travel back in time as we read and discuss a celebration of some of the best short stories between the 1990s and 2010. We will examine the lives of some of America’s most recognized authors and the influences of the time on their writings. Before each session, participants will read two to three selections from “100 Years of the Best American Short Stories,” edited by Lorrie Moore and Heidi Pitlor. Then, during each session, we will analyze and discuss how authors’ choices have changed over the years and the forces that have shaped those changes; world and national events, political developments, and social movements will all be viewed through the lenses of some of our most distinguished literary voices. Together, we will uncover what it has meant to be an American through prose at the turn of the 21st century that explore aging, gender, immigration, racism, war, and more.

Space is limited. This is a 4-week series.

Fridays, April 12, 19, 26; May 3
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

In 1961, Newton Minow, the then Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, famously referred to television as a ‘vast wasteland,’ antagonizing both viewers and tv executives. Writer Sherwood Schwartz was so incensed that he named the ill-fated ship on Gilligan’s Island the S.S. Minnow. The FCC chair advocated for more documentaries rather than cartoons, sitcoms, and westerns which dominated the small screen throughout the 1950s. However, Minow’s words weren’t heeded by programmers catering to public tastes. Join Dr. Margery Marcus for an examination of the Neilson-rated #1 television shows of each year of the decade, from ‘Gunsmoke’ in 1960 to ‘Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-in’ in 1969. Dr. Marcus looks at why these shows were so popular and what they reveal about the era’s culture. This lecture includes a colorful PowerPoint with video clips. This event is also available virtually.

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in West Palm Beach. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Hip-Hop on Strings at The Church of Bethesda-By-The Sea under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Add-ons
Snapshot by Candlelight: Personalize your Candlelight experience and make it unforgettable! Strike a pose and our photographers will print an instant photo for you to take home as a lovely keepsake.

General Info
Venue: The Church of Bethesda-By-The Sea
Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
Duration: 65 minutes (doors open 30 mins prior to the start time and late entry is not permitted)
Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Accessibility: this venue is ADA-compliant
View the FAQs for this event here
Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
If you would like to book a private concert (min 15+ people), please click here
Check out all the Candlelight concerts in West Palm Beach
To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here

Program

Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio
I Like It – Cardi B
Jay-Z Medley
Outkast Medley
Lauryn Hill and Fugees Medley
Passionfruit – Drake
Swimming Pools – Kendrick Lamar
2Pac Medley
The Notorious B.I.G. Medley
Dr. Dre Medley
Eminem Medley

Performers

String Quartet – Collins String Quartet

HOW TO APPLY ONLINE – GRANTS FAQS

Please read the following frequently asked questions and instructions carefully for information about our online application process. For more information about grants with the Cultural Council, please refer to the application guidelines found in the Application Toolkits for each Category (B, CII and CI).

Please contact Vicky Jackson at grants@palmbeachculture.com or (561) 214‑8087 if you have questions.

Getting Started

Q: Can I email, fax or deliver my application?

A: No. All applicants are required to use the online application portal.

Q: What internet browser do you recommend I use?

A: For the best user experience when accessing our online application portal, use the most recent version of: Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. It is fine to use Internet Explorer, but you may encounter some minor technical problems.

Q: Where do I find the application I am looking for?

A: From the homepage for your Category (B, CII or CI), click on the “Grants Portal” button. After you have logged into the online grant portal and created an account (see below), click the “Apply” link on the left. This will take you to the list of grant opportunities currently accepting applications. If you can’t find the correct Category application, its deadline may have already passed, or it might not yet be open.

Q: How do I create an account?

A: If it is your organization’s first time in the system, you will need to register before you can log in. On the landing page, click on the “Create New Account” button and follow the steps indicated.

Q: Can I apply for more than one government-funded grant opportunity?

A: Applicants are permitted to apply for only one government-funded grant per fiscal year, which includes Categories B, CII and CI.

Q: May I also apply for non-government-funded grant opportunities from the Cultural Council?

A: Yes, there is no restriction on multiple applications for non-government-funded grants.

Q: Why does my organization have to have a Guidestar profile?

A: Our online application portal, operated by Foundant, connects us to Guidestar so that we may perform what’s called a “Charity Check.” In lieu of submitting the organization’s IRS non-profit 501(c)(3) letter, you need to create a free profile on Guidestar. The Charity Check will replace the need to submit copies of your organization’s IRS non-profit determination letter.

The Application

Q: Do I have to complete my application all at once?

A: No. Find the “Save” button at the bottom of the application to save the application often and before logging out. There is also an auto-save feature. You can log in at a later time to continue working on your application.

Q: Can I draft my answers directly in the program?

A: Yes, but it’s a good idea to draft your answers in a Word document first. When you first open the online application, you’ll see a “Question List” button at the top. Using this button, you can download and print all the application questions in a PDF for reference while you draft your answers in Word. Do not use any special formatting in your Word document – formatting will be lost as you copy and paste. You have some formatting capabilities within the online application itself. Best practices suggest that you paste your answer into a program like Notepad to strip out formatting before copying and pasting into the online application. Once you have answered at least one question on the application, another button will appear called “Application Packet.” This button will let you download a PDF of the questions and your answers to your computer.

Q: Is there a spell check feature?

A: No. It’s a good idea to draft your answers in a Word document first. See above.

Q: When is the deadline?

A: Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on the day of the deadline. Refer to the appropriate application guidelines for your category to determine the correct deadline date.

Q: How will I know that my application was successfully submitted?

A: When an application is successfully submitted, you will be taken to a confirmation page. In addition, you should receive an email confirming your application submission. If you have failed to respond to a required question, the system will notify you that the application is not complete and you will have to complete the missing questions before you can submit. If you do not receive the confirmation email or have any concerns, please contact the Grants Department.

File Uploads

Q: What file formats will be accepted for file uploads?

A: Questions requiring a file upload will specify the format, either PDF, Excel, Word or your choice of the former.

Q: How should I name my files?

A: Each file should have a name that identifies your organization and the type of required document. For example, a file of balance sheets and profit and loss statements for the past two fiscal years could be named “OrgName-financials.” Do not use any symbols except for a period or a dash, as symbols can interfere with the upload process.

Q: Is there a file size limit for file uploads?

A: Yes. The file size limit is indicated in each question requiring a file upload. Watch the file size on PDFs. PDFs can often be reduced in size by rescanning at a lower resolution. There are also programs that help compact a PDF’s size. Here is one tool to compress large PDF files: https://smallpdf.com/compress-pdf.

Q: What is my PDF has been reduced but is still too large?

A: If the PDF is still larger than the file size limit, host the document on your website and then submit a link to the document.

Q: I have read the FAQs but still have a question. What should I do?

A: Contact the Grants Department at grants@palmbeachculture.com.

We Become the Place is an exhibit that creates habitats through the layering of mixed-media materials in both works on paper and sculptural installations. Referencing South Florida’s unique landscape, these bodies of work create a sense of “wall-life,” which dance delicately between 2D and 3D spaces exploring concepts of identity and adaptation. Acting as nature’s gesture drawings, air plants and jellyfish are shapeshifters, while flora and fauna create a consistent narrative. Nature changes and morphs to its specific location, becoming the place. Through quiet observation we adapt as well – floating and drifting through new identities, creating a personal and natural symbiosis between our daily life and the physical environment.

In the 1980s, Silvin was one of the most frequent flyers on the Concorde, making him the perfect person to present the history of this marvel of technology from a personal point of view. Concorde’s life, including its development, spanned half a century. Its leap forward in technological advancement has been unrivaled, and the French and British joint development led to a new era of cooperation between the two countries. The ambitious initial plan was to build 350 aircraft. But due to many obstacles, such as sound pollution, safety issues, and high development and operation costs, a mere 20 planes were ever built, with only 14 going into service. The audience will get a feel for what travel on Concorde was like, meet some of its famous passengers, and learn what precipitated its demise. In his inimitable story-telling fashion, using hundreds of pictures and videos, Silvin will take the audience on a trip through time and space.

Gerald Chukwuma is one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising contemporary artists, noted for his intricately crafted sculptures on wood panels. The materials he chooses are common enough; however, in his unique way, using a range of techniques – including burning, chiselling and painting – he captures a richly layered history that is imbedded with personal and political meaning. The use of traditional Uli and Nsibidi symbols links his work to the Nsukka art tradition, which is credited with expanding and modernising the Igbo cultural aesthetic. Meanwhile, the transformation of found objects into highly detailed artworks roots him firmly in the contemporary moment with its concern for rapid environmental and ecological change.