Neighborhood News Bureau

Author: mborchardt

  • PARC’S Florida inspired 2016-2017 exhibition coming to Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum

    PARC’S Florida inspired 2016-2017 exhibition coming to Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum

    PARC’s traveling exhibition featuring artists with developmental disabilities will be on display July 29 – August 13, 2016.        

    The Florida Inspired 2016-2017 features works of art from the Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC in St. Petersburg, a non-profit organization where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can express fully their artistic talents. More than 30 unique pieces of art are featured in the traveling exhibition will be on display at Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum.

    Alex J. and the Big Whale at a previous art exhibition.

               A large art piece, Big Whale by Alex J. encourages the community to be inspired and create their own piece of artwork, which is then included onto the art!

    “The goal of visitors to alter Alex’s painting is to show unexpected ideas, and an expanded conversation about the relevancy and creative values of diversity of abilities and experiences. With the traveling art exhibition, we are increasing opportunities for inclusion for emerging artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Florida’s diverse visual arts, creative industry and aesthetic dialogue,” said Maria Emilia Faedo, PARC’s originating exhibition curator.

    The Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum is located at 2240 9th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg.  Museum hours are noon – 5 p.m. on Tuesday – Friday. Admission to the museum is free, though donations are appreciated. The public is welcome to attend all special weekend events.

    “We are delighted to partner with PARC on this extraordinary exhibit with hopes that we might all be ‘inspired’,” said Terri Lipsey Scott, Chair of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum.

    Red House by artist Tyler C., who works and creates at the Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC, is on display at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum in St. Pete starting July 29 – August 13.

    Red House by artist Tyler C., who works and creates at the Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC

    Since 1953, PARC has been supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by offering a variety of services focused on their unique needs and goals. For more information about the Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC, call 727-341-6931.

    PARC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities to exercise their independence and experience life to the fullest.  Established in 1953, PARC currently serves more than 800 individuals in the greater Tampa Bay area. To learn more about PARC, call 727-345-9111 or visit www.parc-fl.org.

  • Celebration and remembrance at St. Petersburg’s MLK Parade

    Celebration and remembrance at St. Petersburg’s MLK Parade

    BY MIRANDA BORCHARDT
    NNB Reporter

    DOWNTOWN — An estimated crowd of 3,000 people filled the streets of downtown St. Petersburg to take in the 31st annual Drum Major for Justice National Parade celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, Jan. 18.

    This St. Petersburg tradition is the nation’s longest running Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade with the inaugural event being held on Jan. 20, 1986.

    Student Matthew Vorra, 15, and friends spent their school day off traveling from Seffner to experience the event but mostly to celebrate, remember and honor the legacy of the civil rights leader.

    King was “a man who fought for what he believed in,” said Vorra.

    The parade showcased local school marching bands, dance troupes and floats featuring community groups and local businesses who embraced the spectators with smiles, waves and by throwing beads to the crowd. There were even a few local celebrities who joined the two mile route from Tropicana field down to Vinoy Park including Mayor Rick Kriseman and former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.

    Yolanda Fernandez, St. Petersburg police spokeswoman, said attendance was average. Some attendees may have been deterred by the lower than normal temperatures for the day.

    While the crowd was all smiles some were pensive remembering the times of struggle while embracing their freedoms of today. Charles Payne, 80, of St. Petersburg, has attended for about 20 years.

    “Martin Luther King (Jr.) stood for nonviolence,” he said. “It is good to see so many people recognize (that).”