The Rickie Report is working with the West Palm Beach Public Library Foundation of the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach to help them gather materials for their  upcoming exhibit, “Star Spangled Heroes”.  There are two ways you can get involved. They will highlight U.S. Veterans residing in Palm Beach County and they will be displaying U.S. Military memorabilia (1940 to present).  Please read and share!

West Palm Beach Public Library Foundation

Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach

“Star Spangled Heroes”

Memorabilia

Photo Exhibit

This Memorial Day Weekend, you will have a chance to browse and shop a terrific juried craft show.  The Rickie Report interviewed one of the artists,  Adriana Bottary, who is participating in the 16th Annual Downtown Delray beach Craft Festival.  A painter and leather worker, Adriana’s purses offer best of both worlds!  You can buy a painting and never worry about where it will hang – It will always be on your shoulder!

16th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival

May 25 – 26, Saturday & Sunday

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Delray Beach Tennis Center located at Atlantic Avenue and SW 3rd Avenue

 (201 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL)

This events supports the Arts, the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority and the Local Economy

   Free and open to the public

The 16th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival is a juried outdoor craft showcase, bringing over 150 different crafters from over 30 states.  The prices range from as little as $3. to $3,000. to suit all budgets.  The Crafters are hand-selected from hundreds of applicants and will be on site throughout the duration of the show to answer your questions about their artistry.

 There will also be a Green Market offering a wide variety of quality plants, gourmet items and dips.  The Craft media includes: Folk art, Pottery, Handmade Jewelry, Pottery, Personalized gifts, Scented soaps, Body products, Hair Accessories, Pet Products and much more.

TRR: Please tell our readers about yourself:

AB:

TRR:  When did you discover this fervor for artistic expression?

AB:

TRR:  Were members of your family artistic?

AB:

TRR: What did you do when you came to the United States?

AB:

TRR:  How did you start to paint on leather and make these wonderful handbags?

AB:

TRR:  What advice would you give to someone who loves art as much as you but doesn’t know where to start?

AB:

About American Craft Endeavors:

American Craft Endeavors (ACE) produces some of the nation’s most exciting high-end juried craft shows in many of Florida’s vibrant downtown areas and popular tourist destinations including the Lauderdale by the Sea Craft Festival (Fort Lauderdale, FL), the Holiday Craft Festival on the Ocean (Jupiter/Juno Beach, FL), the Downtown Stuart Craft Fairs (Stuart, FL), the Siesta Fiesta Craft Festival (Sarasota, FL) and the Downtown Sarasota Craft Festivals (Sarasota, FL) among others. The group’s founders personally select unique, culture rich cities for their show locations providing a complete outdoor experience unmatched by other festivals.  All crafters are hand-selected from hundreds of applicants in order to ensure a superior event featuring diverse art media and the highest quality of original handmade crafts.

For additional information on the 15th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival and other Howard Alan Events art and craft shows across the country, visit www.artfestival.com or call 561-746-6615.

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

With today’s technology, artists are no longer constrained to showing their work in galleries. Exhibiting your art on the internet literally opens up a whole world of potential clients.  But at what risk? The Rickie Report welcomes Attorney Matthew Harrison, as he writes this Guest Column about protecting your artwork on the Internet.

Matthew Harrison is a leading expert on the legal issues regarding photography and other visual arts. His specialties include copyright and trademark matters, release forms, and the potential legal pitfalls of using the internet for self promotion. While he maintains a practice in Massachusetts, all of the topics written about either apply nationally or are specifically written for the Florida artist.  
He can be reached via the web @ photosandthelaw.com

 THE INTERNET AS A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD:

Protect yourself while getting the most out of the promotional opportunities

By Matthew B. Harrison, esq.

How many of you have your own website that showcases your art? How many of you use other websites – such as facebook, flickr, twitter, tumblr, pintrest, et al., to display your work? The Internet can be an amazingly inexpensive way for you, as a artist, to 1) be able to showcase your work and 2) hopefully bring in potential business through these self-promotional efforts. However, before you run out and get yourself a website to showcase your work, I would like you to think about protecting yourself and your property, so that you do not end up falling into the group that answers affirmatively to the next question.

Of those who do display their work online – how many of you have had the pleasant experience of surfing the web and seeing your artwork somewhere without your permission? It may not happen for all artists… but it happens to visual artists more than any of us would like to admit. You need to be aware of this phenomenon so that you can adequately protect yourself.

As a point of reference, this article is about non-commercial use of the image by an unauthorized party as opposed to a commercial use. Unauthorized commercial use is an entirely different animal and may be outlined in future articles.  

Here’s one example… shifting point of view to the viewer.

Pretend for a minute that you are not the intelligent and informed reader of The Rickie Report that you are, but instead are “my cousin Vinny.” While he may think he is of sound legal mind, he is not a lawyer. He’s just a normal guy who doesn’t really know much about anything – and even less about technology. He may know what a computer is – but his main purpose for using it is the access to free adult material.

So while I can write about copyright protection until the cows come home, and declare by edict that materials on the Internet cannot be used without permission – do you think that “my cousin Vinny” is going to listen to what I am talking about – let alone follow by my words? Not a chance – even if I had a scantily clad model holding up a giant sign.

But Vinny! You are committing a copyright violation by taking that image off someone else’s website and posting it on your page – or sending it out via email to your buddies – or even using it on your desktop as a background image.  His actual response: (after the shut up kid… you bother me) “Hey… I got it for free on the Internet… If they didn’t want me to have it, why would they put it out there?”

What Vinny is trying to get at is a fair use argument. Does his justification have merit? Perhaps. That’s a simplistic look. It gets complicated. What about the budding photographer who shoots a wedding inexpensively thinking that some of the cost will be made up in print sales, and the bride and groom don’t order prints and take the web sized proof images that they feel they paid for and put them all over facebook.

What is fair use?

Fair use is a copyright principle based on the belief that the public is entitled to freely use portions of copyrighted materials for purposes of commentary and criticism. For example, if you wish to criticize a novelist, you should have the freedom to quote a portion of the novelist’s work without asking permission. Absent this freedom, copyright owners could stifle any negative comments about their work.

So what is Fair Use?  The only guidance is provided by a set of fair use factors outlined in the copyright law. These factors are weighed in each case to determine whether or not a specific use qualifies as a fair use. For example, one important factor is whether the potentially infringing use will deprive the copyright owner of income. It seems straight forward, but unfortunately, weighing the fair use factors is often quite subjective. For this reason, the fair use road map is often tricky to navigate.

The Fair Use statute: The doctrine of fair use developed over the years as courts tried to balance the rights of copyright owners with society’s interest in allowing copying in certain, limited circumstances. This doctrine has at its core a fundamental belief that not all copying should be banned, particularly in socially important endeavors such as criticism, news reporting, teaching, and research. Under the Act, four factors are to be considered in order to determine whether a specific action is to be considered a “fair use.”

These factors are as follows:
• The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
• The nature of the copyrighted work;
• The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
• The effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

So getting back to Vinny – if a work is freely available on the internet – making a copy will have little or no effect on its market simply because no commercial market for the work has been established or claimed… and that is not good for the photographer or artist who gets ripped off from someone like Vinny. It means that as long as you were not selling the particular image copied (in the form that was copied) whoever did the copying has a pretty strong argument for a fair use defense.

Getting back to the facebook example – if a person’s usage is only on their facebook profile, and it’s the same web sized image that had been presented to them as a proof, it would be hard to argue that the intent was copyright protection.  So how do you protect yourself from falling into the trap of a fair use argument?

While I hate to say this because as an artist myself the following advice pains me…

An artist NEEDS to identify their work and claim the value of it on their website. One way to identify the owner of the work is to watermark the image; and if you really want to protect yourself at the cost of devaluing the overall aesthetic of the image – the watermark should be towards the center of the image so that it cannot be cropped off. By doing this – it is painfully obvious that the work belongs to someone.

By offering licensing to use the image, or making the image for sale in the form of a print on your website, you are evidencing actual financial value to the image on the site – and to any reproduction made by the image. This will, in the least, provide you with an argument against a proposed fair use defense that an infringer may have.

Matthew B. Harrison, an entertainment and media attorney, is a senior partner with Harrison Strategies, LLC based in Springfield, Massachusetts. He can be phoned at 413-565-5413 or e-mailed at matthew@matthewharrison.com.

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

This is your chance to see 3 artists who will show their pottery, clay, and porcelain creations in one space.  John McCoy, Nena Escobar and Karla Walter will be part of the 3rd Annual John McCoy Pottery Show and Sale.  The Rickie Report suggests you mark your calendars for May 25 – 26.  The exhibit and sale includes functional as well as decorative pieces. More information is in this article.

John McCoy Pottery

Presents:

3rd Annual Pottery Show and Sale

Featuring the work of:

John McCoy

Nena Escobar

Karla Walter

Saturday May 25 & Sunday May 26

10am – 4 pm

58th Court North   West Palm Beach, FL 33411

Tea Set by John McCoy

John McCoy Pottery will be hosting its 3rd Annual Pottery Show and Sale on Saturday, May 25th and Sunday, May 26th from 10 am to 4 pm.  Local clay artists, John McCoy, Nena Escobar and Karla Walter will exhibit their most recent work which includes functional stoneware, porcelain, wood fired pottery and clay sculpture.  

Functional Pottery by John McCoy

John tells The Rickie Report, ” I hope this show continues to be an annual event where local artists get a chance to meet their neighbors and share their work with our community.”   John is a nationally recognized artist, potter and educator with many years of experience.  His work can be found in private collections throughout the United States.  John’s focus is stoneware and wood fired functional pottery.

Functional Porcelain by Nena Escobar

Nena Escobar specializes in elegant functional work made in porcelain.  Karla Walter creates beautiful animal and bird sculptures in clay.

Pitcher by Karla Walter

For directions or to see more of their work, please visit: www.JohnMcCoyPottery.com/more   .   For directions go to this link and click on “where to find me”  or call: 561-328-3984.

The Rickie Report knows that to truly appreciate her artistry, you have to see Lisa Kraemer’s “Tree” in person!  Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery is proud to introduce you to Lisa Kraemer, their first of many invited guest artists.  Lisa is a resident of West Palm Beach. She has become a fixture in the ceramics community.

  Clay Glass Metal Stone Cooperative Gallery

Presents

Lisa Kraemer, Guest Artist

 April and May

15 South J. Streets, Lake Worth

Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery welcomes Lisa Kraemer as guest artist for the months of April and May.  Lisa is the first local guest artist to be invited to display in a prominent position at the front of the gallery.  This will begin a tradition of guest artists in the gallery’s new home at 15 South J. Street in Downtown Lake Worth.

Lisa is a self-taught artist of great passion and skill.  Her works in clay are seen in shows and galleries throughout the county.  She is well known to her sister and brother ceramic artists at the right hand assistant to Betty Wilson, owner/director of the Craft Gallery, West Palm Beach’s center of learning in clay and fused glass techniques.  Lisa assists and attends the many workshops at the Craft Gallery absorbing great technique and knowledge from the wide range of teaching artists.  This she has translated into hundreds of works that are wanted by collectors throughout the Palm Beaches. 

The Guest Piece displayed in the Clay Glass Metal Stone Cooperative Gallery is that of a nearly seven foot tall tree.  It is crafted from clay with branches and twigs.  Following the Mexican Huichol Indian tradition, the clay is then wound in a yarn pattern giving it texture and life. The yarn, in this case, is an off-white color.  This gives it the appearance of the majestic bleached trees of the forests that stand in memory of their past life.  Roosting on the branches are white ghosts of birds past.  This is, indeed, a dramatic and powerful exhibit.

Visitors to the gallery are welcome to come in and view this remarkable work of art along with all of the other creations of local artists, members of the gallery.  Until purchased, the tree will be on exhibit through the end of May.

ClayGlassMetalStone Cooperative Gallery is sponsored by the Flamingo Clay Studio, a non-profit arts organization whose mission is to provide affordable studio and gallery space for three-dimensional artists.  The gallery is located at 15 South J Street in downtown Lake Worth. Hours are Sunday thru Tuesday, 10AM-5PM. Wednesday thru Saturday, 10AM-10PM.   Gallery openings are the first and third Friday of each month from 6-9 PM with many special events in-between.  For information call Joyce Brown-215-205-9441 or   JCLay6@aol.com.  Gallery phone: 561-588-8344.

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

Justin Riney, Founder of Mother Ocean, will be at the Lighthouse ArtCenter on Sunday, May 26th!  Justin will share his adventures of circumnavigating Florida by paddle board.  In addition, there will be Open Ceramic Studio, Raku Firing,  An Ocean-themed art exhibit, Art Contest for Children, Interactive Mural Painting, Refreshments, Raffles and Music!  The Rickie Report will see you there!

 Lighthouse ArtCenter

Presents

Mother Ocean Festival, featuring Justin Riney

Mark the Arrival of Expedition Florida 500 in Tequesta

Florida Artists celebrate ocean-themed art

Sunday, May 26, 2013  11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Lighthouse ArtCenter School of Art

395 Seabrook Drive, Tequesta

Free admission

Justin at Pavilion (photo by Constance Mier)

The Lighthouse ArtCenter will be presenting an ocean-themed festival on Sunday, May 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This community celebration for all ages will feature an art contest for children, open ceramic studio, interactive mural painting, raku firing, raffle, music and refreshments.

Justin Riney, founder of Mother Ocean, will share the tales of his adventure of circumnavigating Florida on a standup paddleboard. He will be arriving in Tequesta on Day 147 of his 365-day journey. Riney will present a slide show about Mother Ocean’s Expedition Florida 500 (“XF500”) at 1 p.m., followed by a question, discussion, photo opportunity and autograph signing.

The children’s art contest will be judged at 2 p.m. The grand prize winner receives a 1 week scholarship at the Lighthouse ArtCenter’s 42^nd Annual Summer Enrichment ArtCamp. Raffle drawing for a one-of-a-kind raku-fired Florida inspired pottery created in the Lighthouse ArtCenter’s kiln will be at 2:30 p.m.

An invitational exhibition at the Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, Gallery & School of Art showcases ocean- and water-inspired art created by Florida artists. The works of art highlight humanity’s deep connection to waterways in Florida, and will celebrate the arrival of Justin Riney to Tequesta.

Justin Riney (Photo by Jackson Berger)

A signature event of VIVA Florida 500, XF500 is a modern-day exploration of Florida’s coastlines and aquatic ecosystem, as seen through the eyes of waterman Justin Riney. As founder of Mother Ocean, a non-profit foundation, Riney is “creating, inspiring and empowering ocean advocates worldwide.”

As Riney explores Florida on a standup paddleboard, he focuses attention around the state on environmental challenges within coastal communities, as well as honoring the local history and culture.

As Floridians, our lives are deeply connected to the water. It’s our need for healthy oceans for our livelihoods, recreation and inspiration that makes XF500 such a powerful project. “It is our passion that leads to action, and the desire to protect what we love and believe in,” says Riney. Follow his journey at www.facebook.com/XF500.

The Mother Ocean Invitational Exhibit will be spotlight select pieces in various media, including paintings by Gerri Aurre, Julie Silk Beaumont, Jackson Berger, Judith Boland-Caruso, Tony Cisek, Gwen Eyeington, Duane Hatfield, Ashton Howard, Jack Keough, Deborah Lawrence, Ted Matz, Deborah Neuhaus, Lisa Leffler Riney, Manon Sander, Randall Scott, Roseanne Williams. Also included will be mixed media works by Judy Flescher, Debbie Mostel, Paul Slater and David Willison. Photographers include Tony Arruza (surfboard art), Malcolm MacKenzie, Melinda Moore, Greg Panas, Ruth Petzold and Barry Seidman. Norman Gitzen’s famous mermaid sculpture, “The Siren,” will grace the School of Art’s front yard.

Justin Riney (Photo by Billy King Kraus)

Justin Riney’s original Mother Ocean Tahoe standup paddleboard, which he rode from Pensacola to Key West, will be on display. The 14-foot custom paddleboard carried more than 130 pounds of gear, and shows the wear and tear of hundreds of miles of rough passage. The board features an original painting of a whale’s tale by famed ocean artist Wyland.

Justin and Wyland, Islamorada

Children and adults will be inspired by the ocean art on display, as well as informed about Riney’s environmentally focused adventure.

Following the festivities at the Lighthouse ArtCenter, there will be a group paddle on kayaks and paddleboards. The public is invited to join Riney on the water, leaving from Tequesta at 3:30, and arriving at Guanabanas Restaurant, 960 A1A, Jupiter, for an early evening reception. Call Cynthia Trone regarding launch details (561) 629-3765.

The Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, Gallery & School of Art, a member-supported nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, provides visual and performing arts for the community through unique collections, engaging exhibitions and cultural programs, a dynamic School of Art and diverse outreach activities.   Lighthouse ArtCenter School of Art, 395 Seabrook Drive, Tequesta, Fla, 33469. (561) 748-8737. www.lighthousearts.org.

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

Wait until you see the new art work at Artists Alley!  The Rickie Report hopes you’ll stop by on Thursday, May 16th for their Open Studio Night!  It’s easy to get a bite to eat either before or after in Delray Beach.  In this article, we’re going to take a quick preview!

Open Studio Visitors at Cacace Gallery

ARTISTS ALLEY

 

OPEN STUDIOS

 

THURSDAY, MAY 16th

6 – 9 PM

 

 

 

Amanda Johnson surrounded by her Creations

 

 

Vladimir Prodanovich’s Outdoor Sculpture Greeting Visitors

 

 

Laszlo Janoska Working with Color and Texture

 

Jeff Whyman’s Sculpture Pieces waiting to be assembled

 

Vladimir Prodanovich Greets Guests in his Gallery

 

Steven Blackwood’s Sweet Cuba Clock at Cacace Gallery

 

Ellen Levinson’s Sculpture and Art Work

Harry McCormick’s work in the Linda White Gallery

 

One of Ian Levinson’s Pots

 

 

 

Tropical Colors by James Kerr at Cacace Gallery

 

A Bowl of Rattles at Abby Funk Studio

 

 

Vincent Cacace’s Black/White/Sepia Paintings at Cacace Fine Art

 

 

ARTISTS ALLEY is an independent group of accomplished artists collaborating to establish a grass roots working colony with a vibrant marketplace for “Art created in Delray Beach”. This exciting new, warehouse arts area is in the Pineapple Grove Arts District in downtown Delray Beach. Check out our new website- ArtistsAlleyDelray.comLOCATION - The alley runs north and south between NE 3rd and 4th Streets, east of 3rd Avenue and west of the RR tracks.EASY DIRECTIONS - From Atlantic Ave. go north on Federal Hwy., go west on NE 4th St., cross the RR tracks, go 80 feet and make a left into Artists Alley. Make your second or third left into the warehouses. You can print a map at www.CacaceArt.comFREE PARKING - in the city lot on NE 3rd Avenue just south of NE 4th St. This is the best parking for our events. It’s a well lit parking lot a half a block away.FREE SHUTTLE TO AND FROM DOWNTOWN - For a quick and courteous service, call the Downtowner for a FREE ride from anywhere in Downtown Delray. 561-702-8519

Cacace Fine Art, CacaceArt.com,cacacefineart@icloud.com   561-276-1177 or 561-523-5300
-Vincent J. Cacace, James P. Kerr, Steve Blackwood, Valerie Vescovi, Alene Egol

Linda White Gallery, BocaArtGallery.com, 561-394-2833
-Eric Bossik, Rebecca Kline, Harry McCormick, Jane Bazinet, Lenore Robbins, Jean Pierre Rouselet

Laszlo’s Painting Studio, LaszloJanoska.com, 561-330-2203

Cloud House Pottery, CloudHousePottery.com, 561-862-9222
-Ian Levinson, Ellen Levinson

Amanda Johnson, etsy.com/shop/AmandaChristabel, 443-823-5057
-Madeline Gallo

A. Funk Studio, etsy.com/shop/afunkstudio, 718-312-2304

Vladimir Prodanovich Studio, VPstudios.net, 305-304-2120

Jeff Whyman Studio, on 3rd Ave. next to Brenda’s Birds, 561-322-8867

Amy Reshefsky, AmyReshefsky.com, 561-289-4542, 819-681-6769

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

Ian Levinson, a pottery creator and teacher will be discussing his art at the next BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) event at the Ortiz Smykla Gallery | Studio on May 18th.  The Rickie Report knows Ian will not only be informative, but he will also be raffling some of his signature hand made mugs to those in attendance. Kudos to Evelyn and Jonathon Ortiz-Smykla for bringing artists to the Northwood neighborhood.  This is a great opportunity to learn and then dine out!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

You’re invited

  BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair)

 Lecture Series

5 pm – 7 pm

Ortiz-Smykla | Gallery-Studio

Meet Potter, Ian Levinson

 Free Drawing for attendees:

•  2 “squishy” tumblers
•  $80 vase
• 2.5 hr One-On-One lesson on the potters wheel

500 Northwood  Village  West Palm Beach, FL

Corner of Spruce and Northwood Road

Welcome to OSGS Gallery’s second in a series of lectures titled BYOB (Bring Your Own Chair).  OSGS [Ortiz-Smykla | Gallery-Studio] is featuring one of it’s own incredible artists each month by which she/he will share a short biography, how they got started, how they decided on their medium(s), techniques used, and how their work has evolved and where they see it going.  Bring a comfortable chair, relax, and learn from the best.  We know it will be time well spent, entertaining, and inspiring.

Visit OSGS’ current exhibit filled with local artwork that ranges from oil painting to sculpture to glass art and beyond.  If you have not yet been to the Gallery it is located in the heart of Northwood Village, just East of 95 in West Palm Beach and only blocks from downtown off of North Dixie.

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

The Rickie Report is excited to share so many events and activities that are available here in Palm Beach County!  Family-friendly arts and cultural activities are abundant!  No need to hear “I’m bored” anymore!

 Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

invites you to experience

family-friendly arts

cultural activities,

venues and

locales

Right Here –  In Florida’s Cultural Capital^®

Explore hundreds of family-fun things to do online at http://artscalendar.com/thepalmbeaches

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County invites visitors to enjoy a fun variety of family-friendly activities, venues and locales taking place all over the county and discover why it’s called, Florida’s Cultural Capital^®! With a colorful and diverse array of arts and cultural activities, offerings and fun, there’s sure to be something for families of varying age, taste, and budget. Check out happening events on tap, visit websites, and even purchase tickets by visiting: http://artscalendar.com/thepalmbeaches.

It’s all about `Outdoor Florida’ on the South end of Palm Beach County at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Nestled along AIA in Boca Raton, this venue offers visitors an expansive outdoor nature center with its Sea Turtle Garden, container garden of herbs and local flora, gopher tortoise exhibit and a butterfly nursery. Nature Craft for Father’s Day is planned to take place on June 15; 11 a.m. – Noon; ages 7 – 12; RSVP (561) 544-8615.

Enjoy live theater by taking the family for a “peek” ‘under the sea’ through the eyes of the Sol Children Theatre Troup’s musical play adaptation of Disney’s Broadway production, The Little Mermaid, Jr. July 4–5, Olympic Heights Performing Arts Theater, in Boca Raton; 561.447.8829.

Just north of Boca Raton in the heart of Downtown Delray Beach, visitors will find the charming and whimsical Puppetry Arts Center of the Palm Beaches. Robin Hood, by Master Puppeteer Jerry Bickel with the Bits ‘N Pieces Marionettes takes the stage 10:30 a.m., May 16, 17; and 2 p.m., May 18;

A short walk from the Puppetry Arts Center finds Arts Garage, home of jazz, blues, big band, live theatre, comedy and more! Dance in your seats to the popular family musical, “Footloose,” May 16 – May 19; table reservations available; show times vary. 561-450-6357, orinfo@artsgarage.org.

On the western end of Delray Beach visitors can experience the magical and serene setting of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. This year, its annual Sushi and Stroll event offers several dates and themes to enjoy. On June 7, from 5:30 p.m – 8:30 p.m. `Sip while you stroll’ at the Morikami’s Sip & Stroll: An All-About-Sake Evening event. Enjoy a unique selection of sake and menu items from the Cornell Café and learn all about the appeal of this age-old Japanese spirit. www.morikami.org.

Nature enthusiasts can also enjoy a visit to the Sandoway House Nature Center, found along AIA in northern Delray Beach.  Sandoway is home to the largest private collection of shells in southeast Florida with 10,000 museum quality shells on display.  Shark feeding anyone? Plan to arrive at 1:30 p.m. sharp, Tuesday through Sunday, to participate in this thrilling local favorite. If getting your toes in the sand is more your thing, sign up for its May 25 Beach Walk, taking place from 11 a.m. – noon. www.sandowayhouse.org.

For those who like to shop until they drop, explore artsy and trendy Lake Avenue in Downtown Lake Worth. At the corner of Lake and L Street, visitors will not want to miss stopping in at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County to find over 1200 artist-created items for sale in its Uniquely Palm Beach Store. While there, check out its exhibitions by Palm Beach County artists: Artist as Author through May 18; and, County Contemporary: All Media Juried Show – June 14 – Sept. 7.  In the Cultural Council’s Cultural Information Center, take advantage of utilizing its interactive, touch-screen Explore Board to peruse arts and cultural venues; pick up brochures, event calendars, maps, the Winter issue ofart&culture magazine, and fill your day book or extended stay itinerary with destination stops sure to fulfill your quest for exciting arts and cultural happenings fun for the entire family – found all over the county. www.PalmBeachCulture.com

Just north of Lake Worth, in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County’s world class community youth choir, Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, presents “Ubuntu”, a special 10th Anniversary performance at the Annual Spring Concert on May 19. This award winning community chorus featuring 350 of the area’s top, talented youth voices; 7 p.m.; 561-832-SHOW; 1-800-KRAVIS-1.

A constant nearby draw for visitors of all ages is the Palm Beach Zoo, with exciting and educational encounters available to help you get to know some of the county’s resident animals. Daily Keeper Talks and `informative feeding and enrichment’ events give visitors an up close and personal look into topics like: What makes tigers so “chuffed” (happy); how alligators and pelicans eat; and what monkeys like to do when they, `monkey around.’ Open   9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily; www.palmbeachzoo.org.

Archelon, part of the “Savage Ancient Seas” Exhibit at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium

Hop across the street to see what’s new at the newly-expanded South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, formerly known as the South Florida Science Museum. Celebrate with fun, interactive science 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on June 7 – “Community Opening Day.” Admission is Free. Experience the first blockbuster exhibit to fill the newly open exhibit hall, Savage Ancient Seas: Dinosaurs of the Deep.  Kids and adults alike will gasp in awe at Archelon, a  17-foot-wide sea turtle.  Archelon will be on display as part of the Museum’s newest traveling exhibit – Savage Ancient Seas: The Ancient Aquatic Deep -  opening to the public on Friday, May 17.   www.sfsm.org.

Have a budding artist in the family?  Every first Saturday of each month The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach offers, `Art on the go!’ ages Kindergarten to 5^th Grade. These art workshops are designed just for kids. Dates vary; RSVP:  www.armoryart.org

It’s well-known that the acclaimed Norton Museum of Art, in Downtown West Palm Beach, has permanent collections and exhibitions of masterpiece works of art year-round, but did you know it also offers family-friendly hands-on activities for kids of all ages?  On June 20, the museum invites guests to Be a LEGO® Architect. Begin in the classroom and learn about types of buildings. Next, participants draw designs and take plans to the LEGO® building activity area to construct it in 3-D on a special city map. Are you a Florida Resident planning a staycation? The Norton offers free admission for Florida residents in June, July and August and free admission to Palm Beach County residents every Saturday from June 1 – Aug. 3. www.norton.org.

Nearby along the intracoastal waterway finds the serene and tranquil Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. Gain rare insight into the life’s work of American Sculptor Ann Weaver Norton by exploring Ann’s studio, gardens, and historic home. The vast, meticulously landscaped property is adorned with Ann’s monumental sculptures. Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wed. through Sunday; closed in August. www.ansg.org.

A natural, outdoor setting that invites guests to set their own pace and explore nearly three acres of striking sculpture and native landscape is the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach. The gardens are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and there is no charge for admission. To learn more, visit www.fourarts.org/gardens.

North Palm Beach is home to the beautiful, tucked away John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Learn about the park’s ecosystems and history with an array of events. Enjoy a Butterfly Walk on May 25; 11 – Noon; Daily nature Walks at 10 a.m.; Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Free with Park admission. Guided two-hour Kayak tours occur daily at high tide; Turtle Walks, May 28 – July 19 with RSVP required; 8 p.m. – 11 p.m., or later, depending on the turtles. 561.624.6952.

North on U.S. 1 is Juno Beach’s Loggerhead MarineLife Center, filled with nature-based exhibitions to explore, and a state-of-the-art turtle rehabilitation center.  Each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. children under 5 can bring their own “hatchlings” to share and enjoy ocean-inspired stories, crafts, and more with Hatchling Tales story time. Enjoy books, music, and group activities-Free; Celebrate World Oceans Day at Loggerhead on June 8 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. to honor the body of water which links us all and to learn ways we can all generate awareness about conserving and protecting our world’s oceans- Free. www.marinelife.org.

Participating cultural and arts organizations say, `Welcome to Palm Beach County” – where Culture has found its place in the sun®. For a wide preview of family fun events and other arts and cultural offerings in Palm Beach County, visit the Cultural Council’s Arts Calendar at: http://artscalendar.com/thepalmbeaches

About the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County:  The Cultural Council is Palm Beach County’s official arts agency and serves non-profit cultural organizations and professional artists throughout the county. It’s responsibilities include marketing the county’s cultural experiences to visitors and residents, administering grants to organizations and artists, expanding arts and cultural education opportunities, advocating for funding and arts-friendly policies, and serving cultural organizations and artists through capacity building training and exposure to funders and audiences. For more information, see  www.palmbeachculture.com.  Admission to the Cultural Council is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291