Culture Pop, photo by Roberto Gonzalez

By PAM HARBAUGH

An intriguing project called Art31 is currently taking place throughout the Orlando area. Produced by the Art & History Museums Maitland, Art31 brings events and exhibits featuring works by internationally acclaimed artists Dale Chihuly, Jason Hackenwerth, Lorrie Fredette and Paige Smith. In addition, works by area artists Boy Kong, Dan L. Hess and Maria E are included.

During the 31 days of March you’ll find exhibits, talks, demonstrations, special senior days, family days and wearable art days throughout the Orlando area. To see a schedule of events, click here.

If you’re intrigued, then right away consider this: A drive Thursday to Winter Park where you’ll head to the gorgeous campus of Rollins College to hear Mr. Hackenwerth talk about his wild sculptural latex balloon installations. The talk is free and runs 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the college’s Sun Trust Auditorium. Expect a couple of the artist’s mobile latex sculptures to “pop up” during the lecture.

If you arrange your time, you can get to the Maitland Art Center Gallery to view Mr. Hackenwerth’s “It Tasted Like Lead” installation in the larger “Material World: Glass, Rubber & Paper” exhibition on display through May 1, 2016. For his installation, the artist used about 3,000 balloons to create organic and biological forms.

Here’s the press release bio on the artist: “Hackenwerth studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design and Webster University, St. Louis, MO. He is a past recipient of a Pollack-Krasner grant and has received acclaim throughout the international art world for his installations in Dubai and at Art Basel Miami and Hong Kong. His work has been in museums from New York to Edinburgh.”

Rollins College is at 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, FL. The Art & History Museums — Maitland is at 231 W. Packwood Avenue
Maitland, FL. Admission is $3 general, $2 students and free to members and seniors. Call 407-539-2181 or click here or click onto the ad on the right side of this page.