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Arts United ‘Art Explosion’ A Spectacular Show Poetry Readings, Book Signings, and Fine Art Generate An Evening of Enterta Mary Damiano, Express Gay News The creative community gathered March 20 at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale for the opening night of Art Explosion. The evening featured the work of about 135 performing and visual artists who displayed and presented their work in a sprawling gallery atmosphere. Art was everywhere—staged play readings took place in the auditorium; a conference room was set up as the Rainbow Cafe and writers, including local authors Karen Dale Wolman and Paul Gallotta, read from their work; bands and artists performed in an area in the back of the venue. Guests snacked on food provided by a local restaurant, Primavera, and cookies courtesy of Stork’s Bakery. The bar was donated by Georgie’s Alibi, with the proceeds going to ArtsUnited, the nonprofit group who sponsored the event. Chuck Williams, chair of ArtsUnited, estimated the evening’s attendance at a about 500 people, twice as many as last year. Event Chairman Chris Yoculan was thrilled with the turnout, and said he’s looking forward to reading the comment cards that attendees filled out during the evening. The jam-packed parking lot was one indication of how successful the event was, and Yoculan felt that ArtsUnited accomplished their goal. “Our mission is to incorporate all the arts, so that we can search and seek out that higher dollar in funding and grants,” he said. Naomi Parker, who is also a board member of ArtsUnited, said the facet of the evening that made her most proud was the diversity of the crowd. “You have to have different perspectives,” Parker said. “The one thing tonight about this event that strikes me is the people here. I watch all the different ethnic groups and age groups coming in, older women and men, teens, and that to me is the ultimate of this evening.” Jim McDonough, a writer from Delray Beach, came to Art Explosion as a spectator and was impressed with the quality of work. “I’ve lived here a couple years and have found myself fairly frustrated by the lack of cultural events and to find this, with queer artists, is just wonderful,” he said. “I’m really happy to see the turnout and to see artists and writers and poets because I’ve been wondering, where are these people?” Plantation writer Roxanne McDonald welcomed the opportunity to give a reading of a racy passage from her novel-in-progress. “It always feels good to be able to get up and express and share what I’ve been working on and make a connection,” she said. The culmination of the evening was a special standing room only screening of an episode of Queer as Folk, which will not air on Showtime until March 30. This is the second year Showtime signed on as an event sponsor. One of the artists whose work was on display, Cosimo Zitani, said he was brought into Art Explosion local writer David Leddick. “It’s great to meet other artists and enjoy this sense of community” he said. “But as an artist, you need an audience as well. Art is to be seen, and this is a great place to share work.” In some cases, the art carried over to the artist’s clothing. Michael Bauman, who calls himself The Mosaic Man, wore a jacket that complemented his sculpture, David Disco Dick. The black blazer, which Bauman purchased at Poverello for five dollars, was embellished with mirror shards, beads and other novelties, that Bauman put together in 20 minutes. Art Explosion was Bauman’s first show. “The artists are incredible,” he said. “I have seen some beautiful art here tonight, and I’m really proud to be involved with them.” Bauman, an ex-jeweler, has only been creating his art for the last five years. He thinks of it as his therapy. “I build my pieces to last longer than I will,” he said. “I’m HIV positive for eight years, and that’s what it’s all about, making an impression that will go on longer than I will.”

Art Explosion 2002 Schedule of Events   6 to 10 pm       Tour the JM Family Enterprise Gallery.   The Gallery contains over 150 paintings, photographs and sculptures created by 66 local artists. All original works are available for purchase this evening unless otherwise labeled. More information about the artists may be found on the Artists’ Table located outside the auditorium. The artists represented are:   Tank-A                                      Justine Alexander                                Berta Alfonso Betro Alvarez                            Kuchim Aman                       Jose E. Arce Jr. Andy Armano                          Michael Bauman                  Michael Betancourt Lamarr Bower                            Lee Brady                              Wayne Brown Alicia Cabarroacas                   Roberto Caffaratti                Barry Carmichael Wes Carson                              Thom Cassotta                     Bob Cauvel Peter Cocuzza                           Jamie Cordero                       Dennis Dean Patrick deCastro                       Mary Diddle                          Tommy Doodle Ian Drew                                    John Dwight                         Shelley Wentz Evans H. Gordon Fleming                   Abby Frank                           Robert Gaines Mario Garcia                             Ginette Gibeault                    Alexander Grabowski Melanie Halcomb                     Hans Heubel                         Don Hanover Mike Hisey                                Kevin Hopper                       Allison Lefcort                     Amory Lewis                            Frank Liberty                        Chris Linden                         Manuel Lubian                         Thom Lupari                         Carla Margari                        Tim McCarron                          Nicholas R. Moore               Beth Newman                       Raymond Noland                     Mark Peyton                         Hegina Rodrigues                Cristobal Sanchez                    Carlos Solorzano Smith       Dewey Smith                         Jonathan Stein                          Steve Sticht                           Carol Strick                            Dick Sweet                                Shirley Tiano                        Diamonds Trost                   Helene Weiss                           Peter Wyman                        Gozde Yilmaz         Christopher Yoculan               Vilma Zeno                            Cosimo Zitani                       Stonewall Library & Archives   6 to 8 pm         Meet the Authors and Book Signings.   Nine published authors are available to discuss and sign their books.   Edmar Bernardes DaSilva – Feelings and Passions Dennis Dean – Within Reach E. Robert Dunn – Echelon’s End: Last Generation Ed Fassel – Chameleon “hanging by my tail” Paul Gallotta – Living and Dying in 4/4 time Dr. John Graves – Many Roads Traveled Robb Kvasnak – Foreign Language Made Easy David Leddick – Male Nude Now Karen Wolman – The Ancestor

6 to 8:40 pm    Performance Art   Twenty-five local performers will share their various talents on the main stage adjacent to the gallery throughout the evening.   John C. Graves                     Vicky Keller           Lady Kye               Angel Perez Ulysses Perez                       Henry Rajan          Brent Strachan      Sara Dacal Tropic Harmony - Members of Lambda Chorale: Randy Leonard (director)     Roger Rundle (accompanist) Carol Cormier                        Shaun Levin          Linda Newman      Monika Pavlik       JoAnn Schwarz                    Dana Mufson       Debbie Rase          Naomi Tegland Bill DiStanisloa                     Miles Johnson      Kevin Newell        Robert Artale        Tony Chimento                    Craig Curnow        Peter Sentowski                      6 to 8:40 pm    Rainbow Café   Sample the poetry, dance and writings of fifteen local artists in the Rainbow Café. Seating is limited. Check the menu board for times and performances.   Mari Alschuler – The Nightmare of Falling Teeth        Cary Michael Bass – Sweat Ian Drew – A Sunday Morning                                         Molly Ellowis – Poetry       Deborah Grayson – Poets for Peace                                                Roxanne McDonald–Fruits & Nuts Joseph Puleo – Pestilence                                                 John Schora – spoken word Jonathan Stein – On my own                                             Karen Wolman – The Ancestor Middle Eastern Belly Dance Performance:                    Brent Strachan - Journey    Cristina Andriani, Crystal Bretz Rich Delewsky, and Sara Dacal   6 to 8:40 pm    Play Readings in the Auditorium   Gather in the Auditorium for scenes from six local plays in various stages of production.   You Look for Me – written by: Paul Harris                 Performers:  Richard Ginsberg and Lester Turchin Galileo Prize – written by Jim Tommaney                  Performers: Luiz Fontanezzi and Jim Tommaney A Sure Thing – written by David Ives                 Performers: Luiz Fontanezzi Victoria Place & Change: A Family in Conflict – written by Robby Kendall Performers: Rian Harman, Robby Kendall, Doug Lacey, Catherine Lesko, Dwayne Tuttle The Greatest Story Ner’ Told – written by Lucky Bruno                 Performers: Jason Gomez, Christina Alexander, Porfilio “PJ” Jimenez, Michael A. Suarez and Joseph Alexander   8:45 pm           Gather in Auditorium for the Raffle Drawings 9:00 pm