Chili Fest 2023
2021 PTSA Plant City Reflections
Tonight, Kristine Trottier with the PTSA welcomed a gallery of students, parents and sponsors for the annual Plant City High School Reflections. Each year, the Arts Council sponsors this event where the school uses the funds for art supplies for their students to participate in this program. This year’s theme was ” I Will Change The World By…”
The Arts Council was honored to be asked to join and our very own Gwen Thomas spoke on our behalf. Keynote Speaker Keith Goodson (well known for the new mural in downtown) left a lasting impression for the fellow artists.
We would like to congratulate all the students who entered and walked away with a ribbon:
Photography:
Katherine Hamilton, It Starts with One– 1st Place
Ava Szekely, Soar– 2nd Place
Taylor Hogan-Ross, Save the Bees-3rd Place
Literature:
Katherine Hamilton, The End is Near– 1st Place
Barie Fry, What We Owe to Each Other– 2nd Place
Gabrielle Broeders, Chrysanthemum-3rd Place
Stephen Haley, Heroes of 9/11– Award of Merit
Visual Arts
Gabrielle Broeders, Eden– 1st Place
Madison Gould, I Will Save the World by Recycling-2nd Place
Scarlet Cabrera, Reaching fo the Impossible, 3rd Place
Leslie Simmons, Future Forests– Award of Merit
Happy Retirement Gil Gott
Gil has served the city of Plant City in various capacities for many, many years. He was a professor at HCC, Executive Director for the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Plant City Kiwanis Club, Board Member of the Arts Council, to most recently serving as the Executive Director for the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center since its inception- which is twenty-one years! Gil was recognized by the City of Plant City Commission with a Proclamation for his service. Mayor Rick Lott presented Gil with the Proclamation at the commission meeting on September 27 and again at his retirement celebration on September 30. We celebrated Gil and his service to our community on September 30 at the Photo Archives and History Center. Gil’s official retirement date was October 1, but he will continue to work behind the scenes for awhile to make a smooth transition for the new Executive Director, Samantha Poirier .
Summer Membership Social
We were fortunate to be able to bring back the annual Arts Council Membership Social this year. On Sunday, July 25, we hosted the social event at the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center. Food, fun, fellowship and friends was the recipe for a few hours of much needed time spent together.
Congrats to the Grads – Class of 2021
Arts Council of Plant City Scholarship Recipients
Sara Demolli is a graduating senior in the Theater Department at Howard W. Blake Magnet School for the Performing Arts. She was awarded one of the Arts Council’s $1,000 Scholarships this school year due to her inspiring essay and application. She lives in Plant City and attended Walden Lake Elementary, eventually going to school at Progress Village Middle Magnet where she studied dance, theater and chorus.
Sara has loved the theater since she saw Plant City Entertainment’s production of Brigadoon and was encouraged to audition for the summer show. She is an active member of many PCE productions, both on and off the stage. Her favorite role was ‘Ruby’ in Dames at Sea. Over the years she has performed at many Plant City events including Plant City Heritage Festival/Pioneer Days with Dance Connection, she sings at Christmas Lane as part of Ms. Sherry’s Studio, she has performed for the Arts Council of Plant City at their events including ChiliFest, and she performed at and is a volunteer for the Florida Strawberry Festival. She has won top honors in Thespian Competitions and received the Monti 2019 Hall of Fame Best Young Star Award.
Sara will be attending East Carolina University, where she will study for a BFA in Theater with a concentration in Music Theater. We look forward to seeing Sara in all of her future endeavors.
Liam has played a major role in the Florida Business Leaders of America and the National Juniors Classical League. He received 1st Place for the FBLA District Political Science. Liam’s goal is to help his community by restoration of many existing schools in our community as well as enhancing/developing the parks and recreational areas.
We wish Liam all the very best and look forward to seeing his architectural career unfold in the years to come.
Connor Woods is our third recipient for the 2020-2021- $1,000 Scholarship. Connor was an honor graduate at Strawberry Crest and is also Phi Theta Kappa at HCC. He participated in the Fashion and Yearbook Staff at Strawberry Crest.
He is an avid member for the charity, Boards for Bros. He received the award for “Just Showing Up,” and was also given the title of “Ambassador for his commitment and volunteer work as a Youth Skate Camp Counselor. Connor has dedicated more than 500 hours in refurbishing skateboards and giving them back to communities with kids who may not be able to afford them. He teaches the basics of skating and helps kids gain the confidence they need to pursue the street sport.
We’re encouraged by Connor’s willingness to give back to his community, and we wish him much success in his future plans.
Tampa History Center Field Trip
Gwen Thomas, Vice President of the Arts Council put together a field trip for the board to visit and dine at the Tampa History Center in downtown Tampa. We all enjoyed an afternoon learning more about Tampa Bay and having a delicious lunch at the Columbia Restaurant. Gwen was very surprised when her son called ahead and had a cake delivered at lunch. It was an eventful and tasty day!
Winthrop Arts Mobile Factory
In March, the Art Council was invited to see the unveiling of the newest art install made by the Winthrop Arts Mobile Factory. Bryant Martinez is the lead art instructor with Kathy Collins service as the Executive Director. The Art Factory has partnered with the Hispanic Services Council giving young artists a chance for weekly free art lessons as well as putting together larger art installs in Plant City. Earlier this year the Art Council donated funds for material and supply costs. Peggy Hyde a board member also matched the Art Council donation .
The students work can be viewed outdoors at the Krazy Kup.
Chocolate & Wine Sculpture Tour
The Art Council enjoyed a February walking tour of the sculptures led by Gil Gott. Gil did an outstanding job as our tour guide and included such interesting facts about each sculpture. The winners of the Snap a Selfie were also invited to join us and pick up their prizes. Thank you Gil Gott, Melanie Knox and the Plant City Photo Archives for this lovely event. We look forward to having the J. Seward Sculptures visit Plant City again.
Snap a Selfie Winners-2021
-Chili Fest 2021-
And the winners are :
MILD:
1st Place – Holloway Heat
2nd Place – Brick City Bricks
NOVELTY:
1st Place – Lawrence Valdez
2nd Place – Brent’s BBQ
SPICY: 1st Place – Holloway Heat
2nd Place – Scooby’s Outdoor Adventures
People’s Choice – Brick City Bricks (2 years in a row!)
