Recently, we did a benefit concert for the Artist's Workshop and I wrote a blog about its history. Now I want to talk about another artist community that is coming to fruition. It's called The Hub.
Former NSB mayor Sally MacKay and other supporters including myself, are are excited about the rental lease approved by the city for a building on Canal Street for artisans.
In addition to the art studios there is space for cinema, dance studios and a coffee, wine and beer cabaret-style mezzanine. It is an excellent concept and if it is realized will bring a lot of foot traffic to Canal Street.
Now here is the rub. Sally is looking for CRA money from its rental assistance program. I do not have a problem with that because the CRA and/or city are supporting Canal Street and Flagler Avenue events on a very regular bases. I think the city should support artists’ communities. New Smyrna Beach has a national reputation as an arts community.
There are many who think that CRA money is for "bricks and mortar." I personally think any effort that is artistic, retail, manufacturing or industrial that brings good and controlled growth to this area should be supported by tax dollars. The magic word in the previous sentence is "controlled." I want to see our community flourish, but in a way that does not make our community loses its distinctiveness.
A short story: In 1968 when I got off the road with a national recording group, I lived in Maitland and performed. There was a very successful architectural firm in Winter Park owned by two brothers.
One of the brothers was Nils Schweizer, who had been a student of Frank Lloyd Wright - the other brother was Mark Schweizer. Mark had a beautiful singing voice and sang in a vocal ensemble that I was then directing. At that time, the firm was principally doing church design with a striking modern-day exterior. We met regularly for lunch and talked about art history, music, religion and philosophy. They were wonderful friends and as I reflect, it was a very good time in my life.
Kevin Schweitzer, Nils' son has an architectural firm here in NSB. I must meet him one day. Anyway, the Schweizer, an attorney named John V.A. Holmes and another architect named Lowell Lotpeich plus local merchants on Park Avenue thought it would be a good idea to have an art show in Winter Park.
Because I was involved in music in Central Florida, I was asked if I could provide the music for the art show. That first weekend of art show, we had music ensembles from high schools, Rollins College and a variety of professional musicians who were friends of mine.
Friends of the Schweizers contributed fine art, crafts, glass work and other art mediums to the outdoor event. It was a wonderful success. Our first show was the summer of 1968 ( or '69 – I can’t remember) in the park on Park Avenue. Need I say anymore?
The Winter Park Art Festival thrse days draws thousands of people to its annual art show. There is no reason for a New Smyrna Beach not to one day enjoy something as fantastic as that.
What we need now is for our city leaders to be visionaries with projects like The Hub and not politicians looking over their shoulder to cover their butts. The arts bring a better life to our community.
