Homestead City Vice Mayor Stephen R. Shelley is looking for local artists to participate in his Artist in the Spotlight program. The Artist in the Spotlight program (formerly known as “Art in the Chambers”) was created in 2010 by Vice Mayor Shelley to highlight the talents of local artists and allow them to showcase their artwork to the local community.
Participating artists are given the opportunity to display their artwork in the William F. Dickinson Community Center and the Historic Town Hall Museum for a period of two (2) months in addition to being recognized and given the opportunity to promote their artwork at a Homestead City Council Meeting. The artist is encouraged to explore creative ways to receive additional exposure. One artist reserved the Health Room at the Community Center for an open night and provided an acoustic guitarist and light refreshments. Another artist offered free painting demonstrations on three afternoons during her “spotlight.” The Artist in the Spotlight program is open to all types of artistic media and formats.
Former participants of the program found the exposure to be invaluable. “I made several contacts and received lots of compliments and words of encouragement,” stated Caryl Alarcón. “Thank you to Vice Mayor Shelley for making it all possible.” Past participants include: Robert L. Chaplin, Paul Marcellini, Luis Núñez, Brian Trainor, Jessica M. Ujaque, Angeline Marie Martinez, The Children’s Gallery and Arts Center, ArtSouth, Caryl Alarcón, Mary Dee Burkhart, Samantha Oakey, Jesus Marquez, Teresa Slomko, Roxanne Gottschalk-Garcia, Palm Glades Academy, and Artist in Residence in Everglades, as well as the Community Center Art Group. Coming up next is the Community Cool Art Ties organization followed by the South Florida National Parks Camera Club (SFNPCC).
Vice Mayor Shelley is an avid photographer himself and has a passion for the arts. “I know how hard it can be to promote and market your work as an artist, and I wanted to create a program that would help our local artist publicize their work and advance their careers. I also wanted to help promote art in general and art education within our Homestead community” said Vice Mayor Shelley.
If you are interested in participating or know of a local artist in the area from Broward, Dade or Monroe Counties, please contact Vice Mayor Shelley’s office at (305) 224-4454 or hpalmateer@cityofhomestead.com. Artists who live within or near the City of Homestead will be given preference over those who live further away. The current artist is Samantha Oakey, who will exhibit her artwork through the end of February.
