Local artists and businesses let their creative juices flow for this year's Bra-Vo event, an annual art bra fundraiser for free or low cost mammograms in Lake County. 

The exhibit will run October 1-25 and highlight the many artists, students and sponsors that have taken the challenge to submit a creative and inspiring art bra entry.
Bra-Vo, installed at the Mount Dora Center for the Arts Gallery,  features entries from four area high schools business and artists.  

One of this year's entries is titled, "She Wore Diamonds on the Inside" by Sonya Watson for Sonya Watson Jewelry.  This inspired piece includes a mended heart jewelry piece that is sterling silver with gold filled wire stitching and is included in its own jewelry box in the back of the piece.   

Another entry by Tavares store Hoity-Toity Mercantile is called  " Shine On! " and represents the inner hope everyone posseses.  The table-top sculpture, by artist George Buigas, glows from the inside and was constructed from scraps of metal from industrial machinery.
 
The public is invited to visit the gallery and support the event by buying one or more votes for their favorite bra entry either by voting at the Gallery or by voting online at www.Bra-Vo.org.  Each vote is $1, and all funds go to support the cause.  People's Choice Award will be announced through Bra-Vo's website.

Some bra entries will also be available as part of a silent auction while others will be part of a live auction at the Artist Reception & Gala , "Hope for a Lifetime" on October 9, 5-9pm.

Bra-Vo will also have flamingos available for purchase in honor of a friend or family member fighting cancer at Artisans on Fifth throughout the month of October .The cost for a flamingos is $10--one flamingo goes home with purchaser and a tag is filled out for member of our flamingo "flock". All flamingos will have a descriptive tag with the honoree listed.  Flocking (placing of the flamingos in a flock) will take place throughout Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis during the month of October and be announced on Bra-Vo website and Facebook page

Gallery Hours and information:
Monday - Saturday:  10am to 4pm 
Sunday 11-5pm
Mount Dora Center for the Arts Gallery
Artisans on Fifth,
138 and 134 E. Fifth Avenue, Mount Dora, FL

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Get lost.  And have a blast doing it.  

The annual corn maze at Long & Scott Farm opens on October 3.  The popular seasonal attraction brings in an estimated 1500-2000 weekend visitors, according to Rebecca Ryan, the farm's agri-tainment manager.

A soldier along with other military elements are cut into pathways in the 6-acre corn maze to convey this year's theme "A Salute to Our Armed Forces".   Visitors that dare can enter the maze and attempt to find their way out of the tall and twisting corn field.  No need to panic.  It's a friendly day of fun and before an anxiety attack kicks in, participants can raise a flag to surrender and be promptly rescued.   


There is also a one-acre corn maze for smaller guests, plus a 3-acre live Tree Maze in the shape on an ear of corn.  The popular attraction also includes an over-sized jumping pillow, 60' super slide, kids' zip line, picnic area, mist maze, hayrides, country market and other activities. This year the farm will also feature a new obstacle course and Tot Lot play area for younger kids.

Scott's Maze Adventure is open on Saturdays (10 am-5 pm) and Sundays (1 pm-5 pm) between Oct. 3 and Dec. 13.   It is recommended to get there early to avoid long lines.    The maze season runs through December 13.  The farm is located at 26216 County Road 448A, Mount Dora.  

Large groups can make reservations for admission on Tuesdays-Fridays.  Cost for children is $9 and adults is $11.  

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Maybe it's something in the water.  Something that ignites the right side of the brain with intense musicality and creativity.   Whatever the reason, Mount Dora seems to be an incubator for emerging music artists. 

One local singer and songwriter, Jeff Whitfield, apparently drank much more than his share of the water.  Read more...

Amid the vibrant shops and diverse restaurants,  Mount Dora's prize gem is its creative subculture. 

Sitting atop a short hill, a large contemporary building veils its treasure trove of artists from sight.  The three-story Baker Building on 3rd Avenue and Baker Street is the current epicenter of the city's growing colony of artists.

The top two floors of the building feature the working studios and galleries of some of the city's most noted artists with original works ranging from paintings and multi-media to weaving and jewelry.  

Award-winning Jane Slivka's coastal and still-life original paintings fill the walls of her studio gallery.  Her widely recognizable impressionistic style gains her entry into the state's top juried art shows.   Slivka's popular acrylic workshops attract aspiring artists from across the state who wish to expand their talents in a relaxed environment.  

Across the walkway is the weaving studio of MM Waite.  The bright space boasts an impressive loom as a focal point and features the Mount Dora native's functional textile artistry.

The top floor of the building is home to six working studios with respected artists ranging in styles and media.  Professionally trained painter and instructor, Liz Wincup, uses a modern palette of acrylics to create her large canvases of bold abstracts.  In an adjoining studio, Emily Lewis provides a contrast of style by painting vivid, tropical landscapes.   

Watercolors are represented in the studios of Jackii Molsick and Cathy Caine.  Molsick predominantly chooses landscapes and natural subjects, while Caine expresses a different style in her watercolors of tropical florals.

The top floor also features an additional retail gallery and two studios.  Sonya Watson's Jewelry Gallery features her inspired original designs of silver and gold jewelry that balance the blending of industrial textures with contemporary and vintage design.   The adjoining space is the home of Two B's Studio, the working and teaching space of contemporary jewelry silversmith, Barbara Boyce.   Both jewelry designers are regular exhibitors at juried art shows throughout Florida. 

The building's studios aren't the only places where creativity flows.   The cozy, first floor wine bar, Norm's Palette, exhibits art by various local artists tucked into its nooks and crannies.  The bar's owner, artist Norme Rinne, also features his own large canvases throughout the eclectic space.

The creative generosity of the Baker Building artists is, at the very least, impressive.  They continually support each other and eagerly share their passion by offering affordable art classes and workshops in their studios.  This generosity of spirit is what nourishes the continual the growth of the city's creative community. 

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Ahead of the tourist invasion this fall, crews of one-eyed pirates will be descending on Mount Dora this month.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day has been celebrated by downtown's Cupcake Delights for the past three years after its owner, Judy Owens,  looked for something fun to do during a slow month when her daughter, Taylor,  suggested the pirate event.   Taylor loved the Pirates of the Caribbean series and talking like a pirate and thought it would be a fun event.    

The first year, the local sweet shop offered cupcakes for two dollars to everyone that came in and talked like a pirate.  Last year, they did the same offer and added a free cupcake to anyone that dressed like a pirate.   64 pirates of all ages arrived and roamed the streets of downtown Mount Dora.

This year, Owens turned the festivities into a town-wide event to include local restaurants and stores. Presently,  20 businesses are offering special deals and discounts on September 19th to people dressing or talking like pirates.  Participating downtown businesses will have a pirate on their door.

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