The primary goal of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council has always been to establish a place for the arts in Hernando County. To produce a space where creative freedom and expression are encouraged and welcomed. A no-judgment zone where artists can showcase and sell their creations. And although a recent market study, commissioned by the Arts Council and conducted by the DLR Group in Orlando, did not recommend the establishment of a brick and mortar council building at this time; the council remains determined to create that place for the arts, in the form of a unified arts community created by and for the artists of Hernando.
All Hernando artists are cordially invited to attend the Hernando County Fine Arts Council meeting, Thursday, May 13, from 5:30-7 pm, at Hernando Beach Marine Group Training Center, 4340 Calienta Street, Hernando Beach. Masking and social distancing will be in effect for this session. “The purpose of this meeting is to consider routine business matters of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. Special guest will be Hernando County Commissioner Wayne Dukes, and there will be a presentation about the Arts Council’s recently completed Market Assessment for a New Cultural Facility,” read a meeting notice. “All meetings of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council are open to the public and guests are welcome. Visual and performing artists, representatives from art organizations, art-related businesses, and art supporters are encouraged to attend to show their support for the arts.”
And aside from showing their support for the arts community, these artists will be welcomed to receive the full support of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. “This meeting isn’t as much about them supporting us, it is about us supporting them. We want to know, what do the artists need? We want to benefit them.” said Beth Putnam, arts council chairperson, who notes that she has invited representatives of area arts groups to the meeting. According to Putnam, the arts council has a great deal to offer the artists of Hernando. “We want them to know who we are,” she said. “We have resources for them.”
Among these resources are an online art directory that gives artists of every media the opportunity to list and promote their businesses, projects and portfolios; access to information regarding government arts grants, arts contests, such as the recent Hernando County Fine Arts Council, the City of Brooksville, and Brooksville Main Street’s Second Annual Art Competition; and events that include the annual Art in the Park, cancelled this year due to global conditions, Arts Council/Brooksville Main Street’s Art Stroll in Downtown Brooksville, May 15, from 1pm to 5pm (tickets are $25 and are currently on sale through Brooksville Main Street) and Mini Mobile Murals, which took place April 17 at Hernando Park.
Aside from learning more about the council and its programs, artists in attendance at the May 13 meeting will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and talk about their work. “We want artists to know the arts council and we want them to know each other,” said Putnam.
The recent Market Assessment for a New Cultural Facility recommended that the Hernando County Fine Arts Council collaborate with Stage West Community Playhouse in Spring Hill to host exhibits, receptions, and other arts programs in need of a designated brick and mortar facility. “An initial challenge is to pull together the many visual and performing artists, arts organizations, art-related businesses, and art supporters to begin to build a true arts community. The May 13 meeting is a great chance to begin,” said Putnam.
Please contact the Hernando County Fine Arts Council at (352) 587-8062 or email [email protected] for agenda availability and other information that may be related to this meeting.