By Paul Domenick
one of the artists in attendance was Gerard Delaney, who also works for the Broward Art Guild. Delaney is known for his niche work. When asked about the significance of the particular series of work he was showing, he said, Ò I want it to be erotic, but fun. To have a message. Art comes first. I donÕ t want it to be over-sexual.Ó he added, Ò My work is about nostalgia. Everything is relative, and itÕ s important to
S
PAUL DoMENIck
ome of the LGBt artistic community came out to celebrate erotic art this past Saturday night. hosting the show was Broward Art Guild, which recently opened its new gallery in Fort Lauderdale, 3280 NE 32nd Street. Conducting the show was ArtsUnited, the only non-profit arts organization in South Florida that provides art resources exclusively to the LGBt community. they have been conducting the “Naughty Show” for five years, and have been helping to host other reputable shows, such as Ò ArtsExplosionÓ and Ò Ribbons for the children,Ó since 1997. their mission is to Ò Use the arts to help fight bias and bigotry toward the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.Ó the Naughty Show featured several leading artists in the LGBt community. their work was judged by the owner of a Miami erotic art gallery. Taking first place was Pompano Bill, with his tantalizing photograph, Ò Silver.Ó Second place went to Alfred Phillips for his two-dimensional work, Ò tyler in his Element,Ó and third place pompano bill, next to his winning went to Greg Little, for his painting, photograph, Ò Silver.Ó “Dry 5.”
Staying Up with the Arts
28
MARY DAMIANo
w
hen we turn our clocks back next Saturday night, what will you do with that extra hour? While many will sleep and others dance a little longer at the clubs, more than 130,000 are expected to use that hour for cultural edification. Sleepless Night Miami Beach is the 13-hour arts festival that will stage more than 150 unique events at 80 venues across the city. this year will mark the third biannual festival sponsored by the cityÕ s cultural Arts council. “We chose the first Saturday in November because thatÕ s the week we change the clocks and we get an extra hour of nighttime,Ó explains Gary Farmer, head of Programming and cultural Arts. According to Farmer, Sleepless Night was
Robert Sheridan, with his painting, Ò michelangelo and David.Ó
be a part of the times. My particular series is a nod to the past. Back then, the types of images I used were construed very differently.Ó Another artist, Robert Sheridan, whose work Ò Michelangelo and DavidÓ was on display, said, Ò Erotic art is more than just naked bodies. ItÕ s the feeling a person gets when he sees the image.Ó the show concluded with the announcement of a costume-contest winner. two men in kilts took first place, winning the crowd over when they lifted their kilts. President of ArtsUnited, Peter Meyerhoefer, and local artist Delaney would like to see a lot more support, especially for the LGBt arts community.
ates the fact that the arts are a viable industry in this state and contributes millions to our economy,Ó Farmer says. Ò Businesses love it and arts groups love it because theyÕ re exposed to new audiences.Ó Farmer is especially proud that the 400 artists, technicians and modeled after a successsupport staff are paid, ful all-night festival in Paris, although some city emNuit Blanche, and launched ployees volunteer in the after the Arsht center (then 10 information booths named the carnival center) stationed around the city. opened in downtown Miami, Ò these are the best taking many of the arts of our local artists and organizations that used to we also get top quality call the cityÕ s Jackie Gleason artists from around the theatre home. world,Ó he says. Ò From Ò At the time, Miami Beach tony Finstrom dancers and performance was doing a marketing artists to music, film and visual arts, there is campaign called ‘25/7’ because there was so something for everyone.Ó much to do,Ó he explains. Ò It was natural.Ó SFGN readers may be particularly interThe first weekend in November is ested in several LGBt artists highlighted at traditionally slow for local businesses and the festival: the events in 2007 and 2009 broke sales Gay playwright tony Finstrom will have records for the merchants. his new play, Ò Murder on Gin Lane,Ó a clasÒ the success of Sleepless Night reiter-
Thirteen-hour arts festival Sleepless Night returns to Miami By J.W. Arnold
PAUL DoMENIck
ArtsUnited Gets Naughty
ArtsUnited was founded in 1997 when frustrated playwright, Eston Dunn, staged a reading of his original play, Ò Lip Sync.Ó When the play concluded, Eston made a pitch for financial support to get it produced. Since the play was gay-themed and he was openly gay he believed his homosexuality was the reason potential producers had rejected it. ArtServe staff member constance Avery happened to be in the audience, and suggested ArtServe might be able to help. With the help of arts-incubator, ArtServe, ArtsUnited, Inc. was created. Visit their website at ArtsUnitedOnline.org for more information.
sic whodunit set in the glitzy Hamptons, presented in a staged reading at the Byron Carlyle Theatre, 500 71st St., at 7 p.m. Artist Ricardo Bellino utilizes used Nespresso capsules for pop art installations featuring celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol and Elizabeth Taylor. his work will be on display from 9 p.m. to Midnight at the LordÕ s South Beach hotel, 1120 collins Ave. Gay performance artist tim Miller brings his new show, Ò Lay of the Land,Ó to the Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Rd., at 10 p.m. the internationally-acclaimed performer will explore the artistic, spiritual and political topography of his identity as a gay man. Farmer notes the crowds tend to thin out around midnight, but audiences pick up again for the closing events. A free shuttle bus is available all night long and the 420 Lincoln Rd. parking garage is offering a special $10 rate from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. For a downloadable program with performance schedules, go to SleeplessNight.org.
November 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com