Pre-Pandemic: The Accidental Historian

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The Accidental Historian Exhibition was at the Orange County Regional History Center through January 20, 2020, so the exhibit came down just prior to the start of the pandemic. On January 21, 2020, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in the United States in the state of Washington. The patient had recently returned from Wuhan, China.

The exhibit featured people who might be historians without even realizing it. That’s certainly true of many bloggers, urban sketchers, photographers, and more. This engaging exhibition, created at the History Center, was about individuals who are absorbed in documenting the world of today accidentally becoming some of Central Florida’s finest historians for the future. The exhibit offered a glimpse into some of our favorite collections that were created for the now – more than 100 years ago.

The Accidental Historian featured both historic and contemporary work and collections, including drawings by the renowned artist and teacher Ralph Bagley and Urban Sketchers Orlando, poetry by Orlando’s inaugural poet laureate Susan Lilley, audiovisual work by food blogger Ricky Ly, historic images by photographer T.P. Robinson, and more.

This panel discussion featured three contributors to the exhibit. At the podium Catherine Duffy asked each panelist questions in turn.

Photographer J.D. Casto had documented the Pulse Nightclub shooting’s aftermath. His photos capture Orlando’s love and hope following the shooting. One of his photos of an auditorium hung next to a similar photo from one hundred years ago and it was as if time had stood still.

Ricky Ly founded Tasty Chops, a blog for local foodies. The exhibition featured several of his videos of local restaurant owners discussing their offerings.

Robin Katz, is a member of Urban Sketchers Orlando. She uses her sketchbook as a journal to document the Central Florida community. Samples of Robin’s sketches were featured in the exhibit.

 

 

Weekend Top 6 Picks for October 12 and 13, 2019

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In honor of National Library WeekSaturday October 12, 2019

10am to 1pm $5. Urban Sketching Workshop: Capturing Brutalist Architecture. Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801. The Accidental Historian
Young Artists Urban Sketching Workshops.
“Ink and Twig: Capturing Brutalist Architecture in Urban Sketch”
For students 14 to 24 years old.
Brutalism
was an architectural movement that flourished from the 1950s to the
mid-1970s. The term originates from the French word for “raw” as used by
the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier to describe his choice of
material as béton brut (raw concrete). The aesthetic appeal of Brutalism
sprang from its sculptural potential, and the style was generally
favored by architects who saw buildings as works of art. Brutalism is a
very cerebral style. The Orlando Public Library exemplifies the style,
with its “raw,” textured concrete facade. The original, easternmost
section, 60,000 square feet, was built in 1966 and was designed by John
M. Johansen. From 1982 to 1985, the building was enlarged to 290,000
square feet, with Schweizer Associates guiding the expansion to follow
Johansen’s design.
The sketching technique of Chinese ink and
twig perfectly captures the “raw” pure art form of Brutalist buildings.
With only a bit of ink and a sharpened twig, you will capture the raw
textural facade. In this workshop taught by landscape architect Art
Esteban and architect Gay Geiger, participants will learn a bit about
the history of the Brutalist architectural style in Orlando and how to
sketch with ink and twig to capture an urban setting.
This
workshop is open to students aged 14 to 24. All skill levels are
welcome. Sketching materials will be provided by Sam Flax Orlando. The
sketching portion of the workshop will take place outdoors. Participants
should dress appropriately for the weather and bring water and a snack.
Participants can bring a folding chair or stool to sit.
Workshop schedule
• 10 a.m. Meet inside the Orange County Regional History Center
• 10:05 a.m. Introductions
• 10:25 a.m.Tour of The Accidental Historian exhibit
• 11:15 a.m. Sketching instruction outside of Orlando Public Library
• 12:30 p.m. Sketchbook Throwdown

About the Instructors: Art Esteban and Gay Geiger
Art
Esteban is a landscape architect, off-road cyclist, and avid urban
sketcher. He has traveled to several Urban Sketchers Symposiums and
taken ink-and-twig workshops with the Malaysian sketcher and instructor
Kiah Kiean. Follow Art’s adventures on Instagram @artistotle_05.

Gay
Geiger is an architect with SchenkelShultz Architecture in Orlando. She
grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, learning to sketch from her
father. She moved to Central Florida in 1980 and has been practicing
architecture since 1987. Although Gay sketched buildings and entourage
for many years, it wasn’t until 2015 that she was able to define her
sketching interests as “urban sketching.” See more of Gay’s work on
Instagram @gaygeiger.About the Series: The Accidental Historian Young Artists Urban Sketching Workshops
Catch
the world around you one sketch at a time! Join Urban Sketchers Orlando
for any, or all three, sketching workshops in downtown Orlando for
artists aged 14 – 24. In conjunction with the History Center’s newest
exhibition, The Accidental Historian, these classes for all skill levels
will get you sketching on location and capturing history as it happens.
All art supplies are included, courtesy of Sam Flax!

4pm to 6pm Free. Young Voices. JB Callaman Center 102 North Parramore Ave Orlando FL. Teen Open Mic Every second Saturday of the Month. 

8pm to 10pm $5 Second Saturdays in Sanford. 202 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL. Live music event featuring 2 stages, drink specials and more. 

Sunday October 13, 2019

10am to Noon. Free. Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation Class. University, 5200 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32811. The Method of Heartfulness A simple and practical way to experience the heart’s unlimited resources. 

1pm to 4:30pm Free. Family Day on the Second Sunday. The Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803.

The
make-and-take craft table is open from noon-2:30 p.m., and docents are
available to give mini-tours of the museum. Then it’s open house in the
galleries until 4:30 p.m.

3pm to 5pm Donation based.  Fundraiser Historic Preservation. Black Bottom House of Prayer, 921 Bently Street Orlando, FL 32805.

Accidental Launch

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The Accidental Historian will be on exhibit at the Orange County Regional History Center (65 Central Boulevard Orlando FL) from September 21, 2019 to January 19, 2020. I accidentally did this sketch because it made no sense to drive all  the way home just to drive back downtown to meet a friend for a drink. Rather than burn gas, I decided to sketch as this huge transparency was framed and installed. A custom frame had to be made which was also a light box. Sliding everything into place was a team effort.

When the framed piece was plugged in the rocket laugh glowed blindingly bright. The framing was inspected and a few spots were found where wires touched the transparency creating awkward puckering effects. Everything had to be taken apart again to resolve the issue. Two people held the frame while a third pulled out the plexiglass. I thought I had found a spot where I was out of the way but the plexiglass had to pulled out in my direction and I got up to  get out of the way. Once it was dismantled I sat back down.

The space launch photos going on display are by Red Huber and Klaus Wilkins. Besides these bold images there will also be pitch place panels on the wall with holes punched in it which will look like stars when illuminated from behind. It is going to be an impressive display and I can’t wait to see it all in place. There is an amazing amount of work that goes into the install of a temporary exhibit like this an the small staff at the History Center are all flexing new muscles to go the extra mile to create such an amazing display. Just as in theater there is much chaos in the rush to open the show.There is excitement and uncertainty in the creative chaos. I am happy I got to be a witness if only for a moment.

Accidental Historian Events

Stay tuned for details

  • Accidental Historian Youth and Family Days

    September 21, 2019 and November 16, 2019

  • Cuisine Corner: Cross Creek Cookery

    September 28, 2019 (At the Orlando Public Library)

  • Accidental Historian Panel Discussion

    October 20, 2019

  • Urban Sketchers Workshops exact times and more details to come.

    Workshop 1: Saturday, October 12, 2019 – Instructors; Gay Geiger and Art Esteban will have artists sketch the brutalist architecture of the public library using Chinese ink and twigs.

    Workshop 2: Sunday, November 10, 2019 – Instructor; Thomas Thorspecken. Sunday in the Park with Thor. At this workshop we will sketch the historic Sperry Fountain at Lake Eola
    which is actually the second fountain on site. Students will have a historic 1920s photo by T.P. Robinson for inspiration.

    Workshop 3: Saturday, December 14, 2019 Instructor; Greg Bryla

  • Historically Poetic

    November 7, 2019

  • Coffee with a Curator

    November 17, 2019

First Friday Lunch and Learn Series

History Center staff offer a behind-the-scenes look at the museum and share their research.

Accidental Historian Install

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The Accidental Historian Exhibit will be on display the the Orange County Regional History Center (65 East Central Boulevard Orlando FL) from September 21, 2019 to January 21, 2020. I went in to sketch during the install of the exhibit. I was  intrigued with the fact the eight years of my sketchbooks were stacked like the Tower of Terror inside a glass museum case. The staff tried to just stack the books but it swayed uncontrollably and they had to come up with a plan B. A clear plastic spine was created that supports the high column of books but even with that solution, the tower slumps forward just a bit like an old man reaching for a cane. On top of the tower one sketchbook is open to a sketch of a giant inflatable alligator that was once in front of the History Center thanks to Heather Henson. A laser level stood sentry like a War of the Worlds armored attack vehicle. It stood on spindly legs staring at the sketchbook tower perhaps judging how fragile it looked.

In this exhibition, created at the
History Center, you get to learn how individuals who are absorbed in documenting
the world of today accidentally become some of Central Florida’s finest
historians for the future. You can also catch a glimpse into some of the museums
collections that were created for the now – more than 100 years ago.

The Accidental Historian features both historic and
contemporary work and collections, including drawings by the renowned
artist and teacher Ralph Bagley and Orlando Urban Sketchers , poetry by
Orlando’s inaugural poet laureate Susan Lilley, audiovisual work by food
blogger Ricky Ly, historic images by photographer T.P. Robinson, and of course a some Orlando sketches by myself.

Visitors to the exhibit can create 19th-century “tweets” and step
into a larger-than-life, Instagrammable photo station, along with other
fun features. The exhibit is fully bilingual, presented in both English
and Spanish. Related programs range from preservation workshops to
poetry readings and a historical food-based demonstration.

In my sketch, I focused on the huge open sketchbook in the corner of the room where Orlando Urban Sketchers work was displayed. I am proud that these artists who work together to explore Central Florida with their sketchbooks are now seeing their work exhibited in a museum. Their vision is unique in a time when people tend to shoot homogenized selfies with thoughtless abandon. These artists take the time to truly see the world around them.

The Accidental Historian

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The Orange County Regional History Center (65 E. Central Blvd. Orlando, Florida 32801) is creating an exhibit that will run from September 21, 2019 through January 19, 2020 called The Accidental Historian. The premise is that every day citizens could be historians without even realizing it! That’s certainly true of many bloggers, urban sketchers, photographers, and more. In this engaging exhibition, patrons can learn how individuals who are absorbed in documenting the world of today accidentally become some of Central Florida’s finest historians for the future. Catch a glimpse into some of the museum’s favorite collections that were created for the now – more than 100 years ago.

I was  invited to contribute to this exhibit. The above sketch was done in front of the History Center in the exact spot a historical photo was shot back in the 1920s.  It was fascinating to see what has changed and what has not changed. The 55 West building is certainly new but many of the buildings on this street look exactly the way they did 100 years ago. If you go to the History Center web site you will see that this sketch was married to the old photo from the past creating a unique split screen view of this intersection at two separate points on the timeline. A larger than life framed version of this split screen is being created so that people who go to the exhibit can walk inside my sketch for a family photo opportunity. Anyone on the black and white photo side will be shown in black and white and anyone on my sketch side off the scene will be in vibrant color. I cant wait to see how this turn out in practice.

Besides my contributions to the show, other members of Orlando Urban Sketchers will have their work on display since the artists of today will be each leaving behind a unique view of what it is like to live in Orlando. So put September 21, 2019 on your calendar and come to see the history being recorded in unique ways every day right here in Orlando.