More Than a Performing Arts Center!

As a Lowe Museum Docent, we give to the community by guiding visitors through the Lowe. What we get from volunteering is so much more than what we give. Besides being surrounded by works of art, and learning all about them, we go to see private art collections and other museums in the area. This week, we went to the Arsht Center. Yes, the Arsht Center is about much more than performances.

Glass wall overlooking the bay and city skyline.

Lowe Art Museum Docents (partial group)

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is the largest performing arts center in Florida and the second largest in the United States. This is the place to see Broadway shows, the ballet, wonderful concerts, and more. Some, however, may not be aware of the attention to detail and the works of arts found there. 

The floor design from above

 The building’s location and its magnificent glass walls allow the visitors to view Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. Step inside, and whether you look up at the railings or down at the floor, you will see art. The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has partnered with the Arsht Center and has now brought a new exhibition (The Lincoln Center List Collection in Miami). From screen prints to a colorful, murano glass-tile  mosaic wall by Cundo Bermudez (below), to the selection of fine woods and stone, the Arsht Center provides a performance before the shows begin.

Murano glass tile wall by Cundo Bermudez

For more information on tours, check: http://www.arshtcenter.org/tour.aspx

http://www.facebook.com/Rosie.Brown.Artworks
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/rosie-brown.html
http://www.zazzle.com/artworksinmind
http://www.artistamundo.com/rosiesart
http://www.rosiebrownartworks.com/  

http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/rosiebrown

Arts in Medicine – For the Health of it!

“If we can demonstrate that emotion affects outcomes and art affects emotion, then a logical path to better outcomes would involve more attention to engaging people in artistic pursuits.”  Harlan Krumholz MD, SM

This past week I saw a video of an amazing program taking place at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. What began as a program to reduce the stress in hospitalization is now a philosophy of care for the institution. The hospital is using dance, music, drama, creative writing and the visual arts to enhance the patient experience and healing. 

It is very difficult to get into the head of a suffering patient, but the arts serve as a vehicle to get there. It has been shown that just as words can hurt so can they heal. There is actual chemical/biological effect in the brain that comes from the written word. Music and dance therapy can change moods and change motion. When a patient hears the music and moves with it, the body and mind are moved, the pain is relieved and healing can even take place. “A 2006 study tested the saliva of college-aged singers before and after rehearsals. Singing appeared to raise their levels of salivary immunoglobulin, a substance that defends the respiratory tract against pathogens. And singers who were pleased with their performances had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone that is a marker for stress, in their saliva. In other words, artistic engagement doesn’t just make people feel better in the moment—it may protect their future health by boosting their immune systems.”

To read more about it, click on the links below:

http://www.shands.org/aim/about.html

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/does_art_heal/

 Find a way to express yourself………….for the health of it!

Bring On The Bling!

What is a Bling Box? It is a wall mounted jewelry  armoire that holds over 250 pieces of jewelry. It can hold necklaces, rings, bracelets and even earrings. These boxes are designed to hold your dainty little jewelry, as well as your chunky bracelets and necklaces. Bling Boxes, and other home furnishings, are created by DENY Design a "modern, think out of the box" company. This jewelry box is not only functional, but beautiful. The front can be an art piece that is interchangeable, as you change your décor or move it to a different wall in the house.  It has been designed for the modern woman on the go. 

The Bling Box is my latest way to share my art. Click on the link below to see the designs that are currently available. Enjoy!

http://www.denydesigns.com/pages/rosie-brown

http://www.denydesigns.com/collections/rosie-brown-beach

http://www.denydesigns.com/blogs/bling-box-buzz/3349092-deny-designs-gets-comfy-on-martino-tv

Fabric Design

Artists like to see their art enjoyed by many. To do this, artists extend the life of their creations in either a print or a postcard made from that original piece.

Recently, I was introduced to another way to make my art available for other purposes. Thanks to my fellow artist, Valentina, I found out about Spoonflower; a company that makes it possible for individuals to design, print and sell their own fabric designs.  Valentina Ramos is a graphic artist whose designs are taking over the market. I don’t know how she does it, but she always finds new ways to introduce her art.

Flower Power Series - by Rosie Brown

LiLa Series - by Valentina Ramos

How exciting for an artist to see what they created on a canvas or paper made available as a piece of fabric. Imagine your art used on a pillow, a quilt, a skirt, a tablecloth, a placemat. I can go on and on with the ways to use these fabrics.  Above are a couple of samples showing our designs. Valentina calls this series “Lila” and I call mine “Flower Power”, reminiscent of the 1960’s peace & love era. Stay tuned for many other ways that I will be sharing my art.

Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/Rosie.Brown.Artworks
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/rosie-brown.html
http://www.zazzle.com/artworksinmind
http://www.artistamundo.com/rosiesart
http://www.rosiebrownartworks.com/ 

Feeling Hot... Hot ....Hot!

"Shady Spot" Oil - 8 X 8 -Available for Purchase

The more I travel and enjoy beautiful  places; I realize that I am a Florida girl all the way. The summer weather does not help my looks with the frizzy, curly hair due to the humidity, but one look at the sky and  the seashore and the hair concerns disappear. When you are feeling hot, hot, hot a "Shady Spot" at the beach is the best place to be at this time of the year.

http://www.facebook.com/Rosie.Brown.Artworks
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/rosie-brown.html
http://www.zazzle.com/artworksinmind
http://www.artistamundo.com/rosiesart
http://www.rosiebrownartworks.com/