December 2023

Founders Gallery

From Surreal Visions to Points of Color

Robert Shirk

• Opening 4-7pm
• Artist Talk - 6pm
• Exhibition Through December 29, 2023

This exhibition tracks the artistic journey of Robert Shirk following the evolution of his paintings from surrealistic landscapes to neo-pointillist portraits. Learn why Shirk paints dots of color on acrylic sheets, while gaining insight into what motivates and influences his paintings. Each painting is a neo-pointillist three-dimensional kinetic image that moves and changes as the viewer’s perspective changes..

 Fee: Free and open to the public. 

Where’s the Beef? explores the nostalgia, decadence, and absurdity of the 1980s by using AI-generated images and decals to reference the pop culture, movies, toys, comics, and music of that decade. Inspired by the famous Wendy’s fast-food chain slogan, “Where’s the Beef?” the exhibition asks the audience to question the substance and meaning of the images they consume.

Creating a dynamic and playful aesthetic among twenty-first-century graphic design, collage, and traditional pottery, Curtis creates new and unexpected combinations of images that challenge the viewer's perception and interpretation by creating a contrast between the traditional medium of ceramics and AI-generated imagery.

The season is upon us. It always seems to arrive sooner than we expect but here it is. We escaped 2023 without the hurricane disasters of 2022 but we enter the new year with an inflation-tinged sense of insecurity. Few are looking forward to next year's election either.

All of this notwithstanding, we can always celebrate friends and family and the little joys that make living here so special. In these times of too-great division, we must find what unites us not what divides us. Kindness and love must prevail.

As you recognize your friends and family, we can help. We recently opened our 4th Annual Gallery of Gifts. We present giftable work from our artists and a curated roster of outside artists and artisans. Shop local. Shop small and give those you love something unique.

If your interests run towards ceramics, be sure to visit Jane's. The gallery at Jane's presents many unique creations that will become treasured possessions for those you care for. The Hub and Jane's have the breadth of work to allow you to park once and get all of your holiday shopping finished.

Most of us are blessed with relatively good fortune. Not everyone in our community can say that. Also for the 4th time, we present our Giving Tree. The Giving Tree is a stylized wooden tree built to allow you to provide the decorations. Whether an add-on to your purchase or the purpose for your visit, won't you buy an ornament to decorate the tree? Ornaments for the tree range in cost from $10 to $125. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of these ornaments provide scholarships for our Summer and Winter camps. A $125 ornament fully funds the cost of Summer Camp for a single child who would not otherwise be able to attend. We turn no one away and every ornament purchased makes a difference. Won't you help?

Best Wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season.

Do you know someone who would like to receive our newsletters?

Please feel free to share our signup link: https://tinyurl.com/yckrdpja

December 2, 2023 - 10am-7pm

Art Connections - Engage with our artists and watch them create. All Hub events on 1st Saturday are free and open to the public!

• Hub members receive a 10% discount on purchases in the Founders Gallery at The Hub and at Jane's Art Center Feature Gallery on 1st Saturday only.

• 11am-1pm - RhythmWorks Band outside The Hub
• 1-2pm - Talk Art, Patterns - In Life, As in Art, Renee Lewis.
• 4-7pm - Founders Gallery -From Surreal Visions to Points of Color, Robert Shirk
• 4-7pm - Jane's Art Center Feature Gallery, Where's the Beef? Pottery by Curtis Houston
• 4-7pm - Emotions Dance Company performs a holiday-themed living art demonstration in the lobby.
• 5-7pm Live Music- Declan Killeen Toomey

Saturday, December 16

• Quilling with Joni David, 10am-2pm

December

All classes are taught in the clay studios at Jane’s Art Center.

Visit www.JANESartcenter.org for class fees and to register.

'Tis the Season

A few of our wonderful volunteers recently decorated the windows along Canal and Magnolia for the holidays. We take this pretty seriously and try to create a beautiful display, not only for the pleasure of passers-by but also as a frame to our Gallery of Gifts. Last year, our hard work won us best window decorations on Canal Street. We're hoping for a repeat. Watch for the ballot coming from the Canal Street Historic District group. Please enjoy. We hope it provokes a smile and draws you into The Hub.

The Hub on Canal welcomes applications from Central Florida artists for wall display or working studio space. The Hub is open 7 days a week with more than 40,000 visitors annually. In particular we are currently seeking applications from Sculptors, Contemporary Ceramists, Jewelry Designers, and Painters in a variety of mediums.

Music is an important part of our work to bring the arts to our community at a very affordable price. You can help us do that by sponsoring one of our Music Nights. Sponsorships are available for as little as $250. For more information, reach out to Richard England at richard.england4@gmail.com.