Willer Newman performed at the Current Galleries in Sanford.

Posted on by Thor

The Home Show at the Current Galleries (202 E.1st Street Sanford Florida)  was the debut event in the new galleries. The venue welcomes new artists and edgy space for professional seasoned artists as well. Frankie Messina curated the show. He has an amazing ability to bring together talented artists of all disciplines. Wheeler Newman performed an earthy set of his original music. Abstract 60s patterns were animated on the screen behind him. His wife came up to sing one song with the solo acoustic guitar as back up.

In the background is a small conference room. Every wall had art on it. In the conference room one conceptual piece consisted of a blender filled with free water and a live gold fish. This piece made me uneasy and rather annoyed. It reminded me of the Japanese practice of self in small plastic key chains with live animals, like turtles and fish trapped inside. Once the oxygen runs out, the animals die. It is incredibly inhumane. In another way it reminded me of Sea World’s killer whales who have to live in enclosures rather than the open ocean. Art is meant to elicit an emotional response, and on that level, it succeeded

In front of the stage was an old fashioned type writer and some books. This hinted at the fact that the evening also featured some poetry. There were several chairs throughout the venue and once occupied, there would be an impromptu poetry reading. Naomi Butterfield sat down and read one of her poems. There was performance art and art installations in the back hall. There was something happening at every turn. , could have stayed all night, but the was already my second sketch, and I decided to call it a night.

On Saturday January 16th, The Current Galleries featured Paper Trail. The opening was from 5pm to 11pm. Frankie explained, “This is the first Installation, (a 4 month work in progress) of 27
year plus years of collected history of Central Florida’s growth in
Arts, Music, Writing, Film, Nightlife, Business, and all Culture as
captured in print media, newspapers, circulations, zines, newsletters,
chapbooks, novels, club flyers, art show posters. A cultural history
that you can touch! ” Featuring in the (soon to be) famous “round room” a special collaborative installation by newly married couple Kimme and Ededron.

Other upcoming shows at Current Gallery.  

January 23rd solo show. 

January 30th solo show. 

February 6th solo show.

February 13th solo show. February 20th Swan Song.

Home at the Current Galleries in Sanford Fl.

Posted on by Thor

Frankie Messina of Apartment E is something of an Orlando institution. For years he has brought artists together from all disciplines. Visual artists mingle with writers, musicians, an performers of all kinds. He has begun curating shows at The Current Galleries (202 E.1st Street Historic Sanford Florida). ” The theme of this show held in March 2015, was Home. “The road to a friend’s house is never long.” It was a collective art and performance show where pieces or expressions were of “your home” or what “home” means to you.

This was the debut event in in the new galleries and Frankie was excited to build new relationships and connections between Sanford, Orlando and all the cities around and in between. The new Gallery was kicked off with an amazing opening night during the monthly Sanford Art Walk  that featured poets, instillation art, musicians and of course visual artists.  Tais Phillips combined poetry with an overhead projector to create an interactive experience where poets could see their words projected large on the wall. 

In the room next to me, mailboxes were mounted on the wall. Patrons were invited to write an inspirational note and put it in one of the mailboxes for future patrons to read. Scott Pantke and his wife Nicole from Blast Studios occupied a studio space where they encouraged people to give air brush painting a try. Just dropping off a painting for the show was an adventure, because Frankie had artists meet him behind the gallery and a spiral staircase lead up to the second floor gallery.

Admission was to the public and the opening was more like a non stop party rather than a formal opening. A 10% commission off work sold went to Apartment E’s Blanket Orlando Project for the homeless, held every year in November. This in itself is an inspiring story of how one person with a pick up truck and a big heart, can make a big difference when they decide to make a positive change. Every year that true gets filled to overflowing to help people who need to battle the cold through Orlando’s winter months. One of Frankie’s favorite sayings is, “What you don’t give away, is lost.”

Christmas Day

Posted on by Thor

As we went to bed the night before Christmas, Terry stood at the foot of our bed as I crawled under the covers and fluffed my pillow. I curled up on my side and she was still standing there staring and smiling . “What?” I asked. “Is there something on my face. I slapped my forehead 3 Stooges style and wiped. She just kept smiling like a little girl. It looked like she might burst. She couldn’t stand it any longer, she said, “Look under your pillow.” There was a small flat present there. It was after midnight so officially it was Christmas day. I sat up and unwrapped it. She had given me a “Toy Story 3” DVD. The next day we both watched the movie as our Christmas dinner cooked. I had seen the movie in the theater so I knew what I was in for. Even so, I got all choked up at the end when the story ‘s theme became clear… be there for someone, no matter what. Odd that some computer generated toys should open my heart to life’s lessons of commitment and unquestioning love. That caring selflessly about someone else’s happiness is more important than worrying about if they care about you and you are never abandoned if you have friends.

Other presents consisted of a fog free shower mirror for shaving and a warm silk sweater. I gave Terry a nice silver bracelet and a beautiful pink and purple hairpiece from a local artisan named Karie Brown. Terry wore the hairpiece and bracelet all day. Basting the turkey took all day as well. We thawed the turkey in a plastic chlorine bucket outside. Every 15 minutes the water had to be dumped out and new water added with a hose. I planned to relax and I sat outside near the bucket all morning. I simply watched the clouds roll by. There were no plans to sketch any cultural events. I could spent the whole day relaxing with Terry.

When she began preparations for our private Thanksgiving style dinner, I couldn’t resist the urge to sketch anymore. I caught her as she pealed and cut the onions causing her eyes to burn with tears. Zorro our pet cockatoo supervised her every move and he eyed me with curiosity as I sketched him. I set the dining room table with our fine china and silverware. I was watching “Christmas Story” when the turkey came out of the oven at about 7pm and I began carving it up. The stuffing tasted amazing and I kept stealing tastes as we bought out all the dishes. By the end of our meal we were both stuffed and close to comatose. “It seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table, but you only want the things you can’t have…” Once again Desperado was ringing in my head. I believe we both felt grateful and happy to spend a whole day together. For once I wasn’t running around seeking out others who love their life and work. I had time to appreciate what I had at home.

The next morning was cold and windy but I had to go for my 3 mile run to get my blood pumping, feeling bloated from yesterday’s feast. I wore a sweatshirt and baggy yoga pants to stay warm. I passed a young boy learning to ride an 8 foot high unicycle which he must have gotten for Christmas. He never fell but the winds kept pushing him around precariously. The entire run out the wind was in my face stinging my lungs. How is it then that the wind was in my face on the entire run back? I passed another runner going the other way in nothing but a tee shirt and shorts. We nodded to one another. I actually saw my breath. I began to loose my will to run in the last quarter mile or so, but then I ran across pine needles which cushioned my steps. It was like a golden sienna carpet laid down for me. I imagined myself as a steam engine and in my mind I stoked the fire so it would burn brighter. For the first time I realized the street I start and stop my run at is called Windjammer Lane. I sprinted towards it knowing full well the only race I had to win was in my head.

War and Peace

Posted on by Thor


Terry is almost finished reading Tolstoy’s “War and Peace”. She says it is a very modern novel. When Tolstoy discusses the waste and futility of war or the quirks of socialites he could very well be discussing people and events of today. Zorro our cockatoo is perched on Terry’s shoulder.