Flamingo Gardens Announces Receipt of The Community Foundation of Broward’s 40 for 40: Spread the Love Grant

Davie, Florida – Flamingo Gardens is proud to announce that the Flamingo Gardens’ Eco-teers are a proud recipient of the Community Foundation of Broward’s 40 for 40: Spread the Love Grant.
To celebrate its 40th Anniversary, the Community Foundation awarded a total of $400,000 to 40 Broward County nonprofits, investing in projects and initiatives that make life in Broward better and supporting innovative and impactful opportunities for nonprofits to help our community.
Among the eligibility requirements for the grant was a call for creative ideas to incorporate the number 40, while staying true to the organization’s mission. In celebration of the Community Foundation of Broward’s 40 years and their inaugural funding of the Flamingo Gardens’ Eco-teers, they will install 40 rain barrels across the county in their honor. Over the course of the next year, the Eco-teers will identify and secure placement for 40 rain barrels at community gardens, schools, businesses, and non-profits throughout Broward County. Materials will be provided at no cost to the partner agencies, and the members of the Eco-teers will install each of the rain barrels and provide training and routine maintenance.

Conservation of water via rain barrels is important to fostering sustainable water management practices and mitigating environmental impacts in communities. By capturing and utilizing rainwater, rain barrels significantly contribute to several key benefits such as reducing costs for both household and commercial water usage, preventing drought, decreasing resilience on water municipalities, preventing pollutants due to runoff, and reducing flooding. By far the biggest impact this project will have will be in terms of educating the public. The long-term goal of the project is to give back to the community, monitor water usage vs. water conservation efforts, and track where larger-scale adjustments can be made.

Like all Community Foundation grants, this new anniversary-themed wave of support is made possible by the dedicated Fundholders who partner with the Foundation to create charitable funds to fuel their philanthropy. The Community Foundation now shepherds 532 charitable funds and over 40 years they have provided more than $190 million in support for: student achievement, the arts, career readiness, seniors in need, HIV/AIDs prevention, equity and social justice, environmental resilience, health care, affordable housing, disaster relief, empowering nonprofits and much more.

Flamingo Gardens is grateful to the Community Foundation of Broward for its on-going support of projects and programs and looks forward to carrying out this new program – Celebrating Sustainability – 40 Rain Barrels for Broward – in their honor.

If you would like more information on joining the Eco-teers, or if your school, small business, or non-profit is interested in receiving a rain barrel, please contact Ashley Vieria at [email protected].

Rewild Florida

On Saturday, September 28m Flamingo Gardens presents:  Rewild Florida – The Art of Stephanie McMillan, a whimsical exhibit of drawings of South Florida plants and wildlife by Fort Lauderdale artist Stephanie McMillan. Her art portrays iconic species such as the Florida panther, manatee, and alligator, as well as less widely appreciated species like the spiny orb weaver, larraflower, and the ring-neck snake. For McMillan, creating art has become a spiritual practice that opens possibilities for connecting with plants, wildlife, and the human community. The underlying message of this collection is: “Let’s get to know the wild beings around us and participate in the web of life with love and respect for all.”

Stephanie McMillan’s colorful paintings and drawings are inspired by her love for the plants and wildlife of South Florida, where she is a third-generation resident. Her playful style, infused with humor, evolved from 25 years as an award-winning and widely published cartoonist and illustrator.

McMillan received a BFA from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University (1987), and her work has been included in many exhibitions worldwide including at the San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum, the Andy Warhol Museum (Pittsburgh), and SCOPE International Contemporary Art Show (Miami). She is an Artist-in-Residence at the New River Inn History Museum in Fort Lauderdale, in the downtown area where her wildlife art is also featured on utility boxes. She sells her art, prints, greeting cards and more from her studio on the third floor of the museum, as well as on her website.

Created digitally (using Procreate on an iPad) and printed on fine art paper, the artwork in this series features familiar native species such as the white ibis and the gumbo limbo tree, as well as those non-native creatures that have become a part of the background of life in South Florida like the Muscovy duck and bitter gourd. The exhibit is interactive as well; visitors have the opportunity to get creative and color their own copies of McMillan’s art to take home. Additionally, guests will find a QR code in the Gallery, linking to Flamingo Gardens’ Instagram. Like and follow the account where a daily photo will be posted of one of McMillan’s prints hidden within the gardens. Find it and it’s yours to keep! This “scavenger hunt” will take place every day throughout the exhibit.

“Rewild Florida” opens September 28th and runs through December 31st. The Gallery is open from 9:30 to 4:30.

Stephanie’s website, featuring prints, notecards, stickers and more, is www.stephaniemcmillan.com

Follow us on Instagram: @flamingogardens

The Florida Highwaymen: Pioneers of Art and Culture

Harold Newton (1934 – 1994)

The Florida Highwaymen were a group of 26 African American artists who emerged in the mid-1950s in Fort Pierce, Florida. These self-taught painters, including notable figures like Harold Newton and Alfred Hair, created vibrant and evocative landscapes of Florida’s natural beauty.

Who Were the Florida Highwaymen?

The Highwaymen were primarily young African American men (and one woman, Mary Ann Carroll) who faced significant racial and economic barriers during the segregation era. They were mentored by A.E. “Beanie” Backus, a prominent white landscape artist who encouraged them to paint Florida’s lush scenery. Despite their talent, mainstream galleries and art institutions in South Florida refused to represent them due to the color of their skin.

Alfred Hair (1941 – 1970)

What Did They Do?

The Highwaymen developed a unique and efficient painting style, often referred to as “fast painting.” Using inexpensive materials like Upson board and house paint, they were able to quickly produce large quantities of art. Their paintings typically featured idyllic scenes of Florida’s coastlines, swamps, and forests, characterized by bold colors and dramatic lighting.
Unable to sell their work through traditional galleries, the Highwaymen took to the roads, selling their paintings door-to-door and from the trunks of their cars along Florida’s highways. This entrepreneurial spirit not only provided them with a livelihood but also brought their art directly to the people, bypassing the racial barriers of the time.

James Gibson (1938 – 2017)

Cultural Significance

The Florida Highwaymen hold a special place in American art history for several reasons:

  1. Breaking Barriers: They challenged the racial and cultural barriers of the Jim Crow South, making a name for themselves in a segregated society.
  2. Economic Independence: By selling their art directly to the public, they asserted their economic independence and agency during a time when opportunities for African Americans were severely limited.
  3. Artistic Legacy: The Highwaymen created over 200,000 paintings, capturing the essence of mid-century Florida and preserving its natural beauty for future generations.
  4. Cultural Impact: Their work has been recognized as “The Last Great American Art Movement of the 20th Century,” and their paintings are now highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts.

In the 1990s, renewed interest in their work led to greater recognition and appreciation of their contributions to American art and culture. Today, the Florida Highwaymen are celebrated not only for their artistic achievements but also for their resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity.

The story of the Florida Highwaymen is a testament to the power of art to transcend barriers and bring people together. Their legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and art lovers alike.

At Flamingo Gardens for a limited engagement

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of “A Disappearing Landscape: Art of the Highwaymen,” an evocative gallery exhibit celebrating the distinctive artistry of the Highwaymen. The exhibit features a selection of paintings that highlight the region’s serene coastal vistas, sprawling wetlands, and sun-drenched horizons. Featuring a selection of rarely-seen works from private collection, on display in the Gallery.

Open January 4 – February 23, 2025, from 9:30 – 4:30 daily.

On display in the Gallery and included in admission.

Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org), National Museum of African American History and Culture (nmaahc.si.edu), State of Florida (dos.fl.gov), Florida Highwaymen Exhibit (floridahighwaymenexhibit.com)

Annual Photo Contest

“Dinner Time” by Maggie Jung

Each year, Flamingo Gardens hosts an Annual Photography Contest, open to members and the general public. This year, in preparation for our spring garden and Gallery exhibit, “Microsculpture”, the theme of the contest was “Macros”, and the exhibit ran from February 3 – 25. You still have time to view these photos through this Sunday, 2/24.

The Photography Contest once again brought out the best of the best; 37 photographers submitted 105 original works, all taken at Flamingo Gardens. In the end, the selection committee narrowed that down to 59 beautiful photos to be hung in the exhibit. Sailboat Bend Artist Loft’s resident-artist Jeremiah Jenner, also a certified photography and Photoshop instructor for Broward County Schools and The Art Center South Florida, was the guest judge for the exhibition. He is the executive director of JMJ Photographic Services in downtown Fort Lauderdale where he instructs studio lighting classes and private photography workshops. We’d like to thank Jeremy for all that he does for Flamingo Gardens and our Camera Club, and for lending his expertise to judge this year’s contest.

Awards were given in the following categories:

Best of Show: “Waiting to Exhale” by Janet Riley

First Place: “Teeny Backlit Cassius” by Ginny Milu

Second Place: “Dragonfly Lunch” by Gail Santini

Third Place: “Resting” by Maria Marta Cubillas

Best Digitally Enhanced Photo: “Venue Rising” by William Bracht

Judge’s Recognition: “Shedding the Past” by Dalia Latife

Judge’s Recognition: “Bumblebee in Flower” by Anita Allen

Judge’s Recognition: “Getting Close” by Claudia Masella

Judge’s Recognition: “Precious Blooming” by Penelope Hughes

Judge’s Recognition: “Happiness in Pink” by Barbara King

Additionally, throughout the exhibit visitors voted for their favorite photograph to receive the People’s Choice Award. There were many favorites, but with the majority of the 135 visitor votes, that award went to Bev Cameron for her photograph “Monarch Dream”.

Thank you to all that submitted works, and congratulations to the winners! Stay tuned for next year’s photo contest applications this fall!

The spring garden exhibition “Microsculpture: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss” opens March 2nd and runs through May 5th. This exhibit is a series of beautiful high-magnification portraits that capture the microscopic form of insects in striking large-format and high-resolution detail. Created by award-winning British photographer Levon Biss, the exhibition showcases the insect collection of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, artfully displayed throughout the botanical gardens.

To learn more about Microsculpture, watch the video here and visit Flamingo Gardens March 2 through May 5, 2024.

Irreplaceable – an ephemeral art exhibition

In May of 2023, Flamingo Gardens had the pleasure of hosting artist Sharon Lee Hart for a photo shoot of some of our rehabilitated animals, particularly those species that are endangered or at-risk.

Sharon Lee Hart is a South Florida-based artist currently exploring ecology, ephemerality, and time through experimental and cameraless photography. While maintaining an active studio practice, Hart serves as an Associate Professor of Art at Florida Atlantic University. With an environmental focus, she has also served as an artist-in-residence at Joshua Tree National Park (Joshua Tree, CA), The Hambidge Center for Creative Arts & Sciences (Rabun Gap, GA), and The Studios of Key West (Key West, FL). Hart received the 2023 SECAC Artist’s Fellowship Award. Her work is in several permanent collections including the King County Public Art Collection (Seattle, WA) and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, Missouri), and has been featured in solo and group exhibitions, both in the U.S. and internationally.

Hart’s current project, Irreplaceable features anthotype portraits of at-risk and endangered flora and fauna native to Florida. An anthotype (from the Greek anthos “flower” and typos “imprint”) is an image created using photosensitive material from plants under the influence of light from the sun. In the case of Hart’s work, the anthotypes are made by crushing plants (leaves, petals, etc.) and mixing them with a bit of alcohol or water to make a liquid which is then painted on paper. After several coats and once dry, a photographic transparency is placed on top of the coated paper and then it bakes in the sun. Anthotypes are ephemeral – they will eventually fade – much like the subjects of the prints will eventually disappear from the planet.

In Florida Panther, the face of a panther emerges from an atmospheric burnt orange haze. The monochromatic effect, wrought from turmeric-coated paper, gives it a ghostly appearance. This critically imperiled big cat seems to gaze at us, perhaps aware that only 200 of its kind remain in the wild. Other plants, mostly foraged from her yard and kitchen, yield similar colorfield washes. These include red dragon fruit, petunia, chard, beetroot, blackberry, spinach, turmeric, butterfly pea flowers, among others. The properties of the plant pigments determine each print’s eventual color and dictate its required sun exposure duration, influenced by the season and weather. Consequently, exposure times for individual anthotypes range from hours to months.

The subjects of the Irreplaceable portraits are initially photographed within their natural habitats and at local conservation organizations*. Subjects range from a deep red morning glory found exclusively in the pine rocklands of Miami-Dade County (Man in the Ground/ Ipomoea microdactyla) to the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta), threatened by habitat loss and incidental capture by commercial fisheries. Reviving a nontoxic 19th-century technique pioneered by the Scottish scientist Mary Somerville, the contemplative anthotype process now merges historical and contemporary photographic methods to underscore a sense of time that is both circular and finite. Inviting viewers to contemplate their beauty and precarity, the images serve as a reminder that some of these anthotypes could outlast the plants and animals they enshrine without further conservation efforts. Above all, Irreplaceable urges us to protect these vital life forms while we can and reminds us that the ecological systems they sustain—and are sustained by—include human beings.

Installation views of Sharon Lee Hart's Irreplaceable at The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery, 2024. Photography by Zachary Balber.

Irreplaceable, along with Sharon Lee Hart’s other project Dark Tracing, can be viewed now as part of a group exhibition titled Ephemeral Construct on display at the Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery and Exhibit Hall in Pembroke Pines.

Ephemeral Construct: Four Solos

February 8 – May 18, 2024

The Frank, located at the Charles F. Dodge City Center

601 City Center Way

Pembroke Pines, FL 33025

www.thefrankgallery.org/p/exhibitions/now-on-exhibition

https://sharonleehart.com/section/526570-Irreplaceable%20%28Ongoing%29.html

 



* Flamingo Gardens, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Fairchild Botanical Gardens, and Loggerhead Marinelife Center

The Truth About Bats

They’re often misunderstood to be blind, squeaky creatures who suck blood and get tangled in your hair, but bats are an important species. They impact our lives in ways we often don’t appreciate, like eating mosquitoes, pollinating our favorite fruits, and more!

Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years. With over 1,400 species, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents.

Next time you see a bat in your yard, consider these ways in which they enrich our lives!

The Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) is a large bat native to Australia which helps pollinate fruit.

Without bats, we could say goodbye to avocados, mangoes, bananas and more! Most flowering plants cannot produce seeds and fruit without pollination. This process also improves the genetic diversity of plants. From deserts to rainforests, bats that drink the sweet nectar inside flowers pick up a dusting of pollen and move it along to other flowers as they feed. Over 300 species of fruit depend on bats for pollination. Bats spread seeds, including those of the cacao plant. So, without bats, our chocolate supply would be greatly reduced!

Florida’s Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) feeds on beetles, flies, mosquitoes, flying ants, flying termites, many other insects.

Bats can eat their body weight in insects EACH NIGHT. Farmers have bats to thank for helping to protect their crops from insects. By eating insects, bats save U.S. agriculture billions of dollars each year in pest control. Some studies have estimated that service to be worth as much as 53 billion dollars annually.* That doesn’t even take into account the volume of insects eaten in forests and how that impacts the lumber industry, nor the importance of bats as crop pollinators.

An extract from the saliva of the Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) is used for medicine.

Bats inspire medical innovations. About 80 medicines come from plants that rely on bats for pollination. Doctors have studied bat echolocation and used it to develop navigational aids for the blind. Bat research has also led to advances in vaccines for humans. Scientists have extracted a compound from vampire bat saliva and turned it into medicine (aptly named Draculin). Studies have found this anticoagulant drug to be very useful for stroke patients. Scientists are also studying bats’ resistance to DNA damage and malaria parasites in hopes of learning more about human DNA damage and how to better deal with malaria.

Bat guano (excrement) is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and is used to fertilize lawns and gardens. Nitrogen promotes rapid, green growth, and phosphorus promotes root growth and supports flowering, while potassium helps plants grow strong stems.

Interested in learning more about bats? Check out the traveling exhibit “Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats” in the Gallery now through January 28th. Learn about how gentle bats really are, and their many benefits to the environment through lifelike models, multisensory interactive displays, and environmentally realistic settings.

(Information courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Wildlife Federation)

*https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-bats-important

Botanical Mystery Solved!

“Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it” - African Proverb

Recently, one of Flamingo Gardens’ outstanding volunteers, Simone Kaplan, solved a botanical mystery for our Horticulture department. Simone is 17 and a student at Archbishop McCarthy High School.

The project was part of this year’s High School Summer Research Internship at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens. Simone had already been working on a research project studying Sclerotium rolfsii (a fungal pathogen) in Vanda orchids at Flamingo Gardens, under the mentorship of Dr. Jason Downing and Dr. Nichole Tiernan, research botanists from Fairchild. During a trip to Flamingo Gardens to work with her plants, a chance discussion about our baobab trees between Dr. Downing, Dr. Tiernan and our Director of Horticulture, Chris Maler, led to the impetus for this summer research project.

Using modern molecular techniques (DNA sequencing), Simone was able to identify species for the baobab trees in Flamingo Gardens’ collection. The baobab is a deciduous tree native to Madagascar, mainland Africa, and Australia, of which there are eight species. Some baobabs can store up to 32,000 gallons of water in their trunk to endure harsh drought conditions, and they are among the most long-lived of vascular plants, with specimens dating well over 2,000 years old!

Simone shared that she had to change her DNA extraction procedures to accommodate for the fact that baobab leaves are full of slime! Formally called mucilage, the slime deters animals from eating the leaves. Unfortunately, it also makes DNA extractions rather difficult!

The results of Simone’s research project showed that most of the baobab trees at Flamingo Gardens belong to a few of the species from Madagascar (Adansonia za, Adansonia grandidieri, and Adansonia rubrostipa). These trees are much rarer than the sub-Saharan African baobab species (of which Flamingo Gardens also has specimens). This project is the first step in starting an organized DNA identification program at Fairchild. In most botanical gardens, many plants on display do not have visible and accurate labels. The program will allow gardens to correctly tag unidentified trees from botanical gardens like Flamingo Gardens and Fairchild. Not only is this information useful for visitors wanting to learn more about a particular tree, but it is extremely important for future research and propagation.

Flamingo Gardens is grateful to Simone and the team at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens for their efforts to correctly identify our baobab trees, and we look forward to the discoveries that will be made when she completes her orchid research project as well.