Carrollwood Cultural Center Hosting “Arts in the Park” Event

Art lovers will have a chance to enjoy two days of outdoor activities and art exhibitions at the Carrollwood Cultural Center’s “” event on March 26 and 27.

The event commemorates the official opening of the on March 2, 2008. “Arts in the Park” will feature local artists working in various mediums. The event also promises live music, food vendors and information on art classes.

Best of all: It's free.

Paul Berg, who is the executive director of the center, believes the art festival will be a big success and a lot of fun.

“We wanted something that is free and open to the community, which is why we decided on an outdoor event,” Berg said. “We have the perfect space for it.”

Berg says that the event has grown each year. This year, it has been extended to two days instead of one.

“Arts in the Park” will feature painting, jewelry, mixed media art, computer art, fiber art, music and performance art.

“The only stipulation is that the items shown need to be handcrafted, and by the artist,” Berg said. “We don't want art that you could pick up at your local discount department store.”

All the items on display will be for sale.

One artist, Karin Dawn Best, says she looks forward to the opportunity to show people her “cultural tropical” work.

“I am from Trinidad in the Caribbean, and my mother was a florist,” Best said. “I paint what I know. My heart is still in the islands.”

Best will feature large and small paintings that depict scenes she remembers from her childhood. She has recently added custom T-shirts to her repertoire, which she says have been popular.

The event will also feature music from the CCC Band and The Sounds of Swing, led by Jim Bruge.

“I was approached by some of the members of the other groups at the Cultural Center who suggested I form a swing band,” Burge said. “I've been really pleased with how we sound and the response we've had.”

Helen Michaelson, the director of the CCC Band, was also excited about the upcoming event.

“We’re calling our presentation "Marches in March," and we’ll be playing mostly Karl King marches,” Michaelson said. “We have about 45 members. Our youngest is 15 and our oldest is 93.”

Michaelson says that the entire event will take place outdoors. She noted some of the food vendors who will be in attendance.

“ will have a booth, and they’re donating the funds to help our band buy new equipment.”

“Arts in the Park” will also feature more advanced artists like Brad Bannister.

“I gave a lecture at the Cultural Center about a month ago on art history as a function of technology and social power,” Bannister said. “I work in a non-objective style of abstraction. I've been an artist for about 50 years, and this is my first chance to participate in this event.”

Bannister says he looks forward to receiving feedback about his work.

Edie Rase says that even after a lifetime of producing art, she takes classes at the Cultural Center to help focus her approach.

“I’m trying to find a good style for myself with the help of Dorie Anderson, who teaches there,” Rase said. “I like to do it all. I’ve worked for model home builders doing floor plans, where I learned architecture. You can see that in my style, too.”

Rase believes that every community should have a Cultural Center like the one in Carrollwood. The center, Rase said, offers an opportunity for people to observe art up close and ask questions.

“People are becoming more interested in community activities," Rase said. "The Carrollwood Cultural Center is a great example of what people can do together.”

The free event will be held at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road. Dates: Saturday, March 26 from 10 a.m until 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 27 from noon until 5 p.m. For more information, call Paul Berg at (813) 269-1310, or email him at pberg@carrollwoodcenter.org.