Theaters and Galleries and Movies, Oh My! Discover Seminole’s Myriad Cultural Opportunities
What better way to engage your brain than to feed it with culture? Here in Seminole County, there are many artistic opportunities readily available. “Each community here within Seminole County has its own distinct cultural emphasis and interests,” says Nell Gyenes, the executive director of the Seminole Cultural Arts Council. “You can sense the community taking a stakeholder’s interest in these very community-centric happenings and institutions.”
Here are some cultural opportunities available in our own back yard.
The Casselberry Art House: Located on Lake Concord, this 2,500-square-foot space features art exhibitions, musical performances, lectures and classes. “Not only do they have ongoing shows year-round, but it’s free and open to the public,” says Gyenes. “It has a deep footprint here and roots within the community.” 127 Quail Pond Circle, Casselberry
The Sanford Art Walk: On the fourth Friday of each month, downtown Sanford comes alive with art and culture. Galleries, restaurants and other venues throughout the downtown corridor host art displays and feature visiting artists for you to meet. “The various businesses offer refreshments and gallery tours,” explains Gyenes. “There’s always something new. You can stroll from one place to the next.” Downtown Sanford, beginning at 6 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month
Longwood Historic District: Longwood’s 190-acre historic district became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. From the 1873 Inside Outside House to the 1879 Christ Episcopal Church, visitors can explore architecture as art in Seminole County’s oldest city. Additionally, says Gyenes, the city offers frequent arts events and historic heritage days in the historic area. Begin near the intersection of State Road 434 and County Road 427, Longwood
“The Art of Healing” exhibit at Florida Hospital Altamonte: “This is a juried exhibit of two-dimensional art on the first floor of the hospital,” explains Gyenes. “It’s free to visit and many of the artists have come through treatment and have used art as part of their healing process.” 601 E. Altamonte Drive , Altamonte Springs
The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center: Incorporating a famed 1920s theater, which is listed on the National Register, Sanford’s premier performing arts center is, in itself, a work of art. It also features an art gallery, a full season of live performances, its own repertory company and even frequent movie nights that return the original theater to its heyday. 201-203 S. Magnolia Ave, Sanford
Cranes Roost Park: The Altamonte Springs park hosts weekly, monthly and annual events open to the public, including Friday Night Live, a weekly outdoor music series, and Uptown Open Mic, which takes place on Thursday evenings. 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs
Festivals:
Here are some cultural opportunities available in our own back yard.
The Casselberry Art House: Located on Lake Concord, this 2,500-square-foot space features art exhibitions, musical performances, lectures and classes. “Not only do they have ongoing shows year-round, but it’s free and open to the public,” says Gyenes. “It has a deep footprint here and roots within the community.” 127 Quail Pond Circle, Casselberry
The Sanford Art Walk: On the fourth Friday of each month, downtown Sanford comes alive with art and culture. Galleries, restaurants and other venues throughout the downtown corridor host art displays and feature visiting artists for you to meet. “The various businesses offer refreshments and gallery tours,” explains Gyenes. “There’s always something new. You can stroll from one place to the next.” Downtown Sanford, beginning at 6 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month
Longwood Historic District: Longwood’s 190-acre historic district became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. From the 1873 Inside Outside House to the 1879 Christ Episcopal Church, visitors can explore architecture as art in Seminole County’s oldest city. Additionally, says Gyenes, the city offers frequent arts events and historic heritage days in the historic area. Begin near the intersection of State Road 434 and County Road 427, Longwood
“The Art of Healing” exhibit at Florida Hospital Altamonte: “This is a juried exhibit of two-dimensional art on the first floor of the hospital,” explains Gyenes. “It’s free to visit and many of the artists have come through treatment and have used art as part of their healing process.” 601 E. Altamonte Drive , Altamonte Springs
The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center: Incorporating a famed 1920s theater, which is listed on the National Register, Sanford’s premier performing arts center is, in itself, a work of art. It also features an art gallery, a full season of live performances, its own repertory company and even frequent movie nights that return the original theater to its heyday. 201-203 S. Magnolia Ave, Sanford
Cranes Roost Park: The Altamonte Springs park hosts weekly, monthly and annual events open to the public, including Friday Night Live, a weekly outdoor music series, and Uptown Open Mic, which takes place on Thursday evenings. 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs
Festivals:
- Sanford hosts Alive After 5, which features live music, food and art, on the second Thursday of each month in its downtown area.
- Casselberry hosts an annual Jazz and Art Festival behind city hall each year.
- This year will mark the 25th anniversary of the annual Heathrow Lake Mary Festival of the Arts, which will take place Nov. 5-6 just off the Lake Mary Boulevard exit from I-4.
- Gyenes will be hosting the fifth annual Hoooowl for the Arts fundraiser, featuring local artists, hand-designed masks and the local band Simulcast (featuring Mix 105.1 deejay Scott McKenzie and WOFL-Channel 35 anchor Bob Frier) on Oct. 22 in Sanford. The event will benefit the Seminole Cultural Arts Council.
There are many other cultural opportunities available throughout Seminole County. Keep your eye on the events calendar in Lake Mary Health & Wellness, visit your city’s website for information about local happenings or check out the Seminole Cultural Arts Council’s website at www.SeminoleCulturalArts.org.
“Discover the arts,” says Gyenes. “Add color to your life by going out and exploring new and different happenings that you may not have considered before or even known. Each community has unique and special offerings and the majority of them are low-cost and exist to improve your quality of life.
“Discover the arts,” says Gyenes. “Add color to your life by going out and exploring new and different happenings that you may not have considered before or even known. Each community has unique and special offerings and the majority of them are low-cost and exist to improve your quality of life.
“Enjoy and savor these opportunities,” she adds. “That’s what the arts are for.”
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