Where Art Remains

As evident by the many construction sites all across the city, Winter Haven is changing. New stores, new housing developments, and new recreational centers are being built and will result in the physical representation of the area’s growth. However, the ideals that permeate special pockets remain constant, such as those held by the 75-year staple that is the Ridge Art Association (RAA). RAA’s objective is to provide an open door for all to appreciate art, the literal creation of art, and the expansive existence of art in society.

“Anything in this world that’s produced requires an artist, someone came up with the idea, someone designed it, someone illustrated it … someone creative,” says Ron Malone, Executive Director of RAA. “You need the arts. And I tell kids everything you touch, see, feel, do, hear, you’re wearing clothes, you listen to some music, an artist touched all of that. Everything,” adds Christy Hemenway, the Director of Events and Exhibitions. As art advocates, they know creativity, expression, and art of every genre can sit at the center of, well, everything. Art is throughout life. It’s the song on the radio that reminds you of car rides with your dad. It’s the pink polka dot scarf you bought last February. It’s the cover of this magazine that caught your attention. It moves and it matters. The directors of the RAA understand that, and they long for the rest of the county to as well.

When speaking to Hemenway and Malone on separate occasions, they each have their own highlights about their work with the Association, “We’re free to the public, so art is always available. But with donations, we are able to give away over $25,000 every year in prize money to the artists.” Hemenway is moved most by the impact that can be made with a particular investment in the youth. “It’s proven how art involvement can help with math, your studies, how you think. [So] we have a Young Artists Show that allows teachers to bring in pieces from their students to be showcased. The winners get $1,000 and at least one senior portfolio can win a $1,000 scholarship to Polk State.” Malone, who teaches multiple subjects for RAA, emphasizes the appeal of the classes they offer. “They’re like therapy and a lot of fun. They can even be a place to develop and help them with their careers. I think that’s why the classes are popular.” Malone also describes how artists can have a cycle of growth relationship with the association and the art community through the classes, “We give them the opportunity to learn how to teach. They come in and do a demo, we mentor them, and we see if they’re in a position to teach a class. So not only do we show their work, but they can show their techniques [to others].”

Where the interests of RAA’s directors may trace different frames of concern, they realign back at art being accessible. That is the focal point. That remains. At present, RAA has five municipal shows located at Winter Haven City Hall, Winter Haven Regional Airport, Lake Alfred City Hall, Mackay Gardens, and Haines City Library. “What I love about the municipal shows is that not all people will go to an art gallery to look at art, but if they’re in a municipal for a different reason and they happen upon art, they may not go out of their way to look at it, but it’s right there for them,” notes Hemenway. The attempt to touch the masses that eagerly or unintentionally consume art is consistent.

Along with exhibits sharing art around Polk County, RAA offers several classes ranging from Ink & Watercolor Painting, Oil Painting, Basic Drawing, and Stained Glass for Beginners to Pottery, and Beyond Basic IV in Watercolors. The classes and main draw is that the gallery stands across the foyer from Theatre Winter Haven. “We do five shows a year inside the art gallery that we run concurrent with Theatre of Winter Haven performances, so we capture their audience, and their audience has something to do as well [during pre-show and intermission],” describes Hemenway. RAA activates its section of the building with multifarious art forms including sculptures, large mixed media art, photography, and paintings.

In the 75th year of RAA, the purpose to remain immersed in art is unchanged and determined. But like its host city, RAA has revamped and has plans to further improve. They have a new classroom for pottery, a stained-glass studio, and a new small gallery that opened two months ago. They are remodeling a conference room filled with art on the walls so those who come in for meetings will be exposed to the work. In addition to the evolving space, the RAA has grown in membership. “When I started [with the leadership team] we had about 120 members, we now have over 300,” states Malone with a subtle pride about the increase. He attributes the attraction to stronger communication through a more interactive web presence and more social activities for the association’s constituents to feel truly involved.

The involvement does not stop there. The Festival of Trees is the next event, and the Miniature Art Exhibition is next on the docket for the gallery, both are set for the weekend before Thanksgiving. Hemenway asserts how the events that the Association hosts often have direct ties to upliftment of partners, “My goal when I brought back Festival of Trees, was to have about eight non-profits benefit from it. It’s more of a community event, not just Ridge Art.”

“That’s why [we] formed a team, instead of just being the Executive Director, we share, we have three people with very different views, and we come together along with our staff, and we talk about what we’re going to do. And the whole thing is about being creative in how we make a difference in the community,” asserts Malone. Here again, the two directors keep tradition and use modifications where necessary, while remaining steady in the aim of RAA; accessible art is good for all.

RIDGE ART ASSOCIATION

210 Cypress Gardens Blvd SW, Winter Haven

ridgeart.org

Photos by Amy Sexson