Live Painting, Fundraising During Arts Warehouse Monster Drawing Rally & Art Throwdown
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Arts Garage holds Spellbound fundraiser (9) Work on your summer body (20) Learn about StrawFish (34) The Ray headed to Delray (39) DELRAYNEWSPAPER.COM JULY | 2019 Two Delray Live painting, fundraising during Arts Warehouse employees resign as Monster Drawing Rally & Art Throwdown investigation of grant By: Jan Engoren Contributing Writer monies begins It started with four blank canvases in By: Marisa Herman Associate Editor the middle of the room. Little by little those white canvases began to take on Two Delray Beach city employees resigned on June 5 as color and the detail of their creator. an investigation into their office’s distribution of grant money began. Billed as ‘part performance, part art- walk, part artist throwdown and part Director of the Delray Beach Neighborhood and Com- art sale,” the Monster Drawing Rally munity Services Department Michael Coleman and and Art Throwdown at the Arts Ware- his assistant director Jamael Stewart resigned from house in Artist Alley on June 7 was all their positions. They both began working for the de- that and more. partment in 2015. Inspired by San Francisco artist-cen- The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics, the tered nonprofit Southern Exposure, the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office and the event was created to bring local artists Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General will and art appreciators to the arts district look into grant distributions, according to interim city for a night of creating, appreciating and manager Neal de Jesus. collecting art, all in a fun environment. The Neighborhood and Community Services Depart- “This is an opportunity to raise aware- ment is responsible for overseeing code enforcement, ness and funds in a fun, interactive neighborhood safety and sanitation. [CONT. PG 2] setting and to see the artists create live works of art,” Arts Warehouse Director Jill Brown said. “It’s fun and accessible and people can purchase original art at affordable prices while supporting the local artistic community and the Arts Warehouse and artist services/pro- grams.” The Arts Warehouse is an arts incu- bator with many artists’ residences, including local artists Agata Ren and Colleen Thompson, who specializes in custom pet portraits. Arts Warehouse artist in residence, Colleen Thompson, posing with one of her pet portraits. Photo by Jan Engoren. While DJ Al Johnson pumped out the beats, the four throwdown artists - During a 90-minute painting frenzy, ol Wong were among those minglers, Gregory Dirr and Peggie Batia Lowen- audience members milled about and along with filmmaker Damian Fitzsim- berg of Boca Raton, Eric Karbeling of a dozen or so drawing artists lined the mons, owner of Brave Man Media. Miami and Brazilian artist Luciana perimeter of the room. Delray’s Director of the Delray Beach Neighborhood and Commu- nity Services Department Michael Coleman is one of two employ- Boaventura, of Delray Beach picked up Fitzsimmons will have Delray Beach residents Gabe and Car- ees who resigned as an investigation into the department began. their paint brushes. a studio in the building [CONT. PG 2] Photo courtesy of city of Delray. Your stay includes private beach club 2 YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | JULY 2019 Live painting, fundraising during Arts Warehouse Monster Drawing Rally & Art Throwdown [FROM PG 1] and just finished shooting his first feature film “Off The Rails,” in the Arts District, as well as a music video, “Fools Gold,” with the Raggy Monster band of West Palm Beach. “I’m very excited to move into the Arts Warehouse,” said Fitzsimmons, who hails from the UK. Once the competition began, Karbeling, a muralist, threw down a coat of black paint on his canvas, sketching an outline of a skull. Lowenberg, a painter, public artist, and community arts educator, splashed some azure and white as her backdrop, all the while moving to the beat of the music. Boaventura, known for her abstract and imaginary figures, chose a sea-foam green to build a scene of lush foliage. Dirr, who admires the paintings of J.R. Tolkien and PBS artist Bob Ross, outlined his canvas in tones of blue with a sun-like glow in the center. Boca Raton artist Gregory Dirr in the process of Participating mixed media artist Marilyn Behar Delray Beach based artist Luciana Boaventura cre- creating his Tolkien-esque painting. Photo by Jan The pieces evolved. Lerman. Photo by Jan Engoren. ating her winning painting. Photo by Jan Engoren. Engoren. Karbeling’s once black background mor- ture-inspired canvas, where she attempts wasn’t expecting to win.” Timothy Hall, a business owner, pur- to draw parallels between the natural chased Karbeling’s work for $225 and a se- phed into a series of brush strokes in pri- Every piece sold. mary colors of red, yellow and blue reveal- world and human nature. rious collector (aka Boaventura’s husband, ing an abstract skull in the center. Dan Pollitt, an equity trader from Boyn- Luis) purchased Boaventura’s winning Winners were determined by audience ton Beach purchased Dirr’s painting for painting for $275, saying “She deserves it.” Lowenberg’s theme of ladders stretching reaction. $125 and was ecstatic about the purchase. skyward revealed itself from the blue. She All proceeds support the Arts Warehouse Boaventura’s completed painting received “I thought his painting was a winner,” Pol- has created a series of 30 paintings with and winners will receive a one-month art ladders as the theme. “They are reaching the most enthusiastic audience response, litt said. “I’m a gamer by heart and there is exhibition in the Arts Warehouse back- toward heaven, connecting heaven and while the other three shared equally in the something nostalgic for me in his painting.” earth,” she said. audience’s appreciation, as determined by room gallery. applause. Ashley Martinez of West Palm Beach was Dirr’s final reveal was a surrealistic Lord- thrilled to purchase Lowenberg’s ladders The Arts Warehouse is located at 313 NE of-the-Rings-esque theme, while Boaven- “I’m very excited,” said Boaventura, who to hang above her staircase. “I’m so moved 3rd St. For more information visit artsware- tura put the finishing touches on her na- was helped out by her daughter, Gaby. “I by it,” she said. house.org Delray CRA gets new director Two Delray employees resign as Staff report the board. “We work hand-in-hand and side-by-side.” Renee Jadusingh has been promoted investigation of grant monies begins from assistant director of the Del- Board members agreed that Jadusingh is [FROM PG 1] Coleman took over as di- ward,” de Jesus said. “The community we ray Community Redevelopment ready to take over the job. rector in July 2015 after serve deserves that, and I have full con- Agency to executive director. he retired from the Delray Beach Police fidence in Captain David Weatherspoon “She is ready to go,” board member Department at the rank of captain. Stew- to do the job with the highest of ethical She received the new title last Angie Gray said. “I think she is more art joined the team in Dec. 2015. standards.” month from her bosses, the CRA than capable.” board. Coleman declined to comment when Commissioner Adam Frankel said he Costello became executive di- reached by phone. couldn’t discuss details either. The decision came after ex- rector after his boss resigned ecutive director and long- from the role in 2014. Costello While the probe is going on, three other “Because of the ongoing investigations time Delray employee Jeff worked in the city’s planning employees in the department have been into the matter by the Palm Beach Coun- Costello submitted his res- department for 18 years and reassigned. David Weatherspoon, a po- ty Commission on Ethics, the Palm Beach ignation to the board. Renee Jadusingh is the new exec- then for the CRA for 12 years. lice captain who has worked for DBPD County State Attorney’s Office and the utive director of the Delray CRA. Photo courtesy of CRA. since 1993, will run the Neighborhood Palm Beach Office of Inspector General, Originally, he proposed stay- He worked on projects like iPic, and Community Services Department I cannot comment on the changes in the ing on board to transition for the Arts Warehouse and the re- until a replacement is chosen. Neighborhood and Community Services a 90 day period. His contract stated he only development of West Atlantic Avenue. Department. However, we are confident needs to provide a 30 day notice. “Because of the multiple ongoing investi- “I am really proud of the accomplishments in the city’s position and look forward to gations, I can’t discuss details of the two the conclusion of all investigations” The board agreed 30 days was enough of a in the CRA that have occurred,” Costello recent resignations. However, I can say transition period. His last day was June 28. said. “The investments are strategic. The that the Neighborhood and Communi- It is unclear the timeline of the investiga- plans are in place, the foundation has been “Jeff has been preparing me,” Jadusingh told ty Services Department will be run with tion and what allegations the employees laid and you have an excel- [CONT. PG 5] professionalism and fairness moving for- face. JULY 2019 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 3 snap a pic for $1 OFF any frozen dessert! 44 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach FL, 33444 LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF 1ST AND ATLANTIC AVENUE IN DOWNTOWN DELRAY © 2019 HDIP, Inc. Offer expires 6/30/19 4 YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | JULY 2019 things you need to know this July in Delray Beach been appointed as Director Emeritus.