Best Park
MUNN PARK
210 E Main St, Lakeland
Munn Park and the surrounding Munn Park Historic District, including many original buildings dating back to the early 1900s, is the heartbeat of the city. Named after the founder of Lakeland, Abraham Munn, the park features public art pieces, is home to many events and festivals, and is surrounded by some of Lakeland’s finest retail, restaurants, and entertainment.
2nd: Common Ground Playground
3rd: Circle B Bar Reserve
Best Live Music
UNION HALL
1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
(863) 288-0372
FB @unionhallevents
IG @unionhallevents
This over 3000 square foot Dixieland music and event venue is the coolest place in Lakeland to catch live music across an array of genres. Union Hall radiates an easy-going, good-time warmth with its soaring ceilings, exposed terracotta brick from the 1920s, and concrete bar tops. Grab a cocktail and enjoy the show or book the space in advance for a private event.
2nd: The Pink Piano
3rd: Swan Brewing
Best Art Gallery
POLK MUSEUM OF ART AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE
800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland
(863) 688-7743
FB @PolkMuseum
IG @polkmuseumofart
Polk Museum of Art received its national accreditation as an art museum from the American Alliance of Museums in 1983. In September of 1988, the current building, designed by architect Ernie Straughn, was formally dedicated. The museum sees 140,000 visitors a year with a diverse schedule of exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs. PMA’s permanent collection has grown to more than 2,800 works of art including works by Rembrandt van Rijn, Andy Warhol, Faith Ringgold, and Pablo Picasso. Over 50 years in operation, “It is still the largest and only nationally accredited visual arts organization in Polk County and is the only fine art Smithsonian Affiliate between Orlando and Tampa.”
2nd: Polk State Lakeland Art Gallery
3rd: Melvin Art Gallery at Florida Southern College
Best Public Art
PINK OAK TREE IN MUNN PARK
210 E Main St, Lakeland
It’s hard to miss the hot pink oak tree dressing up Munn Park. Artist David Collins, assisted by Lakeland Parks and Recreation staff, wrapped the far-reaching oak limbs with fuschia ripstop fabric and adorned it with cellophane orchids. He finished the project in February, earlier this year. According to Barry Friedman with lkldnow.com, “Munn Park is the site of several previous Collins public art installations, including 2016’s tree wrapped and painted as a giraffe and 2017’s Clearly People, which involved life-sized cling-wrap sculptures of local residents.”
2nd: Oranges by Gillian Fazio
3rd: Dixieland Dragon by Keith Williams
Best Visual Artist
GILLIAN FAZIO
FB @gfazioart
IG @gfazioart
Whether you’ve been inspired by her Create mural in Lakeland, or snapped a selfie in front of the oranges and monarchs that grace Slice of Happiness in Lake Wales – Gillian Fazio has probably brightened your day at some point. A Lakeland native, Fazio grew up attending art schools and found a love of painting very young. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors’ Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Florida in 2017. Fazio shifted from canvas to large-scale public art when she returned home and has since created over 20 murals across Central Florida. As a “new age flora and fauna artist” Fazio says her interest is in “using natural elements such as animals’ divinely designed patterns that serve a function and purpose, combined with purely aesthetic cultural patterns. [...] As the artist, my goal is to create an encounter for the audience, appreciating the intricacy of both senses of artistic intelligence.”
2nd: Bump Galletta
3rd: Stacy Tabb
Best Photographer
SCOTT AUDETTE
IG @scottaudette
Demi Lovato posing across a chaise lounge while on tour, a fishing boat setting out in Boca Grande at dawn, and countless Tampa Bay Lightning game shots are all moments made timeless by talented photographer, Scott Audette. Audette is the Official Team Photographer for the Tampa Bay Lightning and House Photographer for Amalie Arena & Yuengling Center.
2nd: Paris Scott Photography
3rd: Gabby Livingstone Photography
Best Band
JOHN FRINZI
FB: John Frinzi
IG @johnfrinzi
From his first CD, Into The Dawn, to his most recent Blue Sky View (which includes collaborative works with multi-platinum Songwriter and Producer Aaron Scherz, singles “Summer Sun” and “Lyin’ or Lucky”) John Frinzi continues to prove his chops as a songwriter and vocalist. He has toured nationally, playing over 250 dates a year and has been featured at major festivals including Key West Songwriters Festival, Keith Sykes Songwriters Celebration, and more.
2nd: Smokepoint
3rd: These Times
Best DJ
GRAINGERTAINMENT
(844)933-5001
FB @iamgraingertainment
IG @graingertainment
Graingertainment is the premier mobile DJ and entertainment company for weddings, corporate events, birthdays, private parties, and more across Central Florida. It is their goal to make your event fun and memorable – whatever genre gets you moving, Graingertainment can play it! They also offer emcee services. “Whatever you are looking for regarding music, audio, video, or lighting for your event, we’re ready to help make your dream a reality!” When you book an event with Graingertainment, you’re getting an experienced DJ and emcee. In fact, most of their DJs are turntablists who “mix music utilizing beat matching, fading, and other creative mixing skills, not just pushing play on a CD player or iPod (unless that’s really what you want!).”
2nd: Kevin Rios
3rd: Greg Anderson
Best Maker
SWAN CITY CHANDLERY
FB: Swan City Chandlery
IG @swancitychandlery
Did someone say, ‘woman-owned smallbatch hand-poured soy candles’?! Using only 100% soy wax grown on American soil, Swan City Chandlery creates aromatic and relaxing candles. The fragrance oils that they use are phthalate-free topped with wicks made with cotton and paper for a ‘beautiful and environmentally friendly candle’ available in a variety of sizes. Swan City candles can be customized for your big day or special event too! So settle in, light a Swan City Chandlery candle, grab a book, and cozy up on the couch.
2nd: Bump Galletta
3rd: Pottery by Emily Pavlik
Best Tattoo Artist
MIKE TORRES
509 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
(863) 816-5801
FB @gaslighttattoocompany
IG @gaslighttattooco
The Best Of LKLD voters have spoken! Mike Torres with Gaslight Tattoo does the sickest tattoos around. Gaslight Tattoo Company is located at the edge of Downtown Lakeland in the Dixieland Historic District in the same building as The Wax & The Needle record shop. One customer review of Gaslight reads, “It’s clean, friendly and an all around good time when having work done. MIKE T is the bestest.”
2nd: Kris Taylor | Black Swan Tattoo
3rd: Atomic Tattoos
Best Piercing
GASLIGHT TATTOO COMPANY
509 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
(863) 816-5801
FB @gaslighttattoocompany
IG @gaslighttattooco
Home to the Best Tattoo Artist and the Best Piercing?! Gaslight is killing it. This Dixieland Historic District tattoo shop prides itself in providing a professional, comfortable, and clean environment for tattoos and piercings. “The piercer was amazing, Will knew what he was doing and answered all the questions I had very politely. It’s a relaxed and friendly environment,” reads one pleasantly pierced customer review.
2nd: Holy Grail Tattoo
3rd: Atomic Tattoos
