City of Homestead Vice Mayor Stephen R. Shelley is looking for local artists to participate in his Artist in the Spotlight program for 2014. 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.
The program has been relocated to a new exhibit hall to provide greater exposure for the participating artist. The William F. Dickinson Community Center, also known as Homestead Community Center, at 1601 N. Krome Avenue has recently been transformed into an art gallery. Participating artists are given the opportunity to display their artwork at both the Old Town Hall Museum and now in the halls of the Homestead Community Center for a period of two (2) months. Additionally, the artist will be recognized and given the opportunity to promote their artwork at a Homestead City Council Meeting. 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 want to say thank you to Vice Mayor Shelley because there are very few places where local artists can showcase their work, especially those with little to no exposure. I hope to see this program continue to flourish,” Jesus Marquez, featured artist for November-December 2013. 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, Jesus Marquez, Teresa Slomko, and the Artist-in-Residence-in-Everglades (AIRIE).
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 next participating artist will be Roxanne Gottschalk-Garcia who will exhibit her artwork from January through February.
