Art has always played a major role in people’s everyday lives.
Even the cavemen and the earliest civilizations could tell stories and record their history with it.
Creating and being around the arts can help promote wellness and provide motivation when battling an illness, according to World Health Organization.
However you’re feeling, the arts may be able to make you feel even better.
Those with an appreciation for the arts have a slew of activities and events to choose in several of The Villages’ neighboring communities, including Belleview, Ocala, Leesburg, Tavares and Mount Dora.
Encaustic Realms: A Florida Wax Exhibit
On July 12, the Lake County Museum of Art hosted the opening reception for “Encaustic Realms: A Florida Wax Exhibition.”
The show, which runs through Sept. 21, highlights the ancient painting process called encaustic, coming from the Greek word “enkaustikos,” meaning “to heat or burn in.”
The process uses pure beeswax that is melted and reheated to create layers of wax with coloring added. It was used by Egyptians and Greeks to caulk and decorate ships and to paint portraits and murals.
The exhibition features paintings, photography, sculptures and mixed media work by members of Florida Wax, a Florida chapter of an International Encaustic Artist group, which supports the growth and advancement of wax artists.
“I had the pleasure of meeting an artist, Deni Karpowich, from the Florida Wax Group, at a collage workshop,” said Ileanne Buigas, executive director of the Lake County Museum of Art. “She told me about the group of artists and the unique process they use in their artwork. I was fascinated by their work and invited them to exhibit at LCMA.”
Florida Wax founder Shelley Jane, of Orlando, said that all 13 artists in the group are participating in the exhibition.
“Encaustic is all natural, which is unique, and it is an ancient art form,” Jane said. “You have to have a heat source. I paint with a blowtorch. Another of our artists uses a hot pen.”
During the reception, there were live demonstrations of encaustic painting, giving guests an up-close preview of this old art form.
“Meeting the artists is always the best part of an opening reception, but the demonstration really kicks it up a notch,” Buigas said.
Jane also is holding a workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Lake County Art Museum.
“Our mission statement is to educate the community about what encaustic is and what it isn’t,” Jane said. “We give people a chance to see the process.”
Those interested still have until Sept. 21 to view the work at the museum. For more information about the exhibition, visit lakeartmuseum.com.
Learning about a new type of art can be fun and inspirational, and sometimes the best way to learn is hands-on. Upcoming art workshops and events in the surrounding area offer a variety of opportunities:
Ocala | Creating various mediums of art with workshops
Picasso’s Palette art studio, 106 SW 17th St., Ocala, offers a variety of classes. Classes range from summer camps where students learn how to paint, pottery wheel workshops, glass fusion and more. Find out what classes are available by visiting picassospalette.com. Classes have limited seating and some may have a wait list. All tools and materials are provided during the classes unless otherwise specified.
Leesburg | Family Crafter to Go
Get creative with Family Crafters To Go! at the Leesburg Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Leesburg. From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Tuesday, the library provides kit projects with the step-by-step instructions to craft items. This week’s kit guides the user to create a strawberry. For more information, visit mylakelibrary.com.
Mount Dora | Coloring for Adults
Color inside the lines — or don’t — from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday during Coloring for Adults at the W.T. Bland Public Library, 1995 N. Donnelly St., Mt. Dora. Pick a
page from one of the library’s coloring book and take part in a creative session
with soft music to set the mood. For more information, visit mylakelibrary.com.
Leesburg | Thrive Peacefully with the Therapeutic Art Class
Whether you are an amateur or an artist with experience, you can find something to benefit from with the Therapeutic Art class at the Leesburg Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Leesburg.
From 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, sit with Semeion Richardson, owner of Artist With a Purpose, to find the relaxation that comes with creatively expressing yourself through art.
For more information, visit mylakelibrary.com.
Belleview: Celebrate World Culture Day with French Wicker Basketmaking
Get a feel for French culture during the World Culture Day celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Be The Artist Studio, 7655 SE 126th Place in Belleview. Sit in on the workshop and learn how to make your own wicker basket and lid. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Tickets are $30, which includes a $10 nonrefundable fee. For more information, visit beetheartist.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com
