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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Out of Our Hands Gallery

Artists’ handiwork displayed on hay bales

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People who enjoy viewing public art might want to check out six hay bales — painted by artists of various ages — that have been stationed around locations in Dade City.

The display is the Dade City Center for the Arts’ kick-off project, since being revived in July 2020.

This painting of a scarecrow’s face was done by Morgan Turgeon and Ethan Wiley, students at Pasco High School. The painted hay bale is at Price Park. (Courtesy of Dade City Center for the Arts)

Hancock Farm & Feed Co., provided and delivered the hay bales.

Those wishing to view the works can visit these Dade City locations:

  • Hardy Trail at Church Avenue, 37856 Church Ave.
  • Hibiscus Park, Seventh Street and Bougainvillea Avenue
  • Price Park, 37415 Magnolia Ave.
  • Agnes Lamb Park, 14200 Ninth St.
  • Naomi Jones Park, 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd.
  • Watson Park, on Main Avenue, between 17th and 19th streets

The paintings have been well-received, said Lucy Avila, of Dade City Center for the Arts, in a news release.

To find out more about Dade City art, check the art center’s website at DadeCityArts.com.

The center also has other projects planned to enhance downtown Dade City.

The arts center is headquartered at Out of Our Hands Gallery, 14245 Seventh St., in Dade City.

Published October 21, 2020

Who knows? The owl knows. This painted bale, located at Agnes Lamb Park, was created by Patty Resse and daughters, Cassidy, Delaney and Alissa Ross.
This painted bale, near the Hardy Trail, was created by Kevin Taggerty, a retired master sergeant of the U.S. Air Force, and his daughter, Ryah, a first grade teacher at Lacoochee Elementary.
This symbol of Halloween and all things autumn is located at Naomi Jones Park, and was painted by Casandra Moua and Kevin Taggerty.
This painting of a butterfly was done by Russ Taylor and can be found at Watson Park.
This truck hauling pumpkins was painted by Diego Grant, a senior at Pasco High School. The artwork is located at Hibiscus Park.

Outdoor art exhibit coming to Dade City

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“The Heart of Pasco County” moniker will soon be taken on quite literally in Dade City — in the form of an outdoor, permanent public artwork exhibit.

At least 10 or more large-sized heart-shaped sculptures will be installed at city-owned properties in and around the downtown area, per an art proposal OK’d by Dade City Commissioners at a Sept. 10 meeting.

The Dade City Center for the Arts is facilitating an outdoor, permanent public art exhibit that will bring large-sized heart sculptures to nearly a dozen city-owned properties in the downtown area. (Courtesy of Dade City Center for the Arts)

Plans call for 3D metal heart sculptures measuring approximately 36 inches by 36 inches by 8 inches that will be attached to 6-foot steel posts secured to the ground; artwork patterns will differ on each heart structure.

The entire project is being facilitated by the Dade City Center for the Arts (DCCA) and local artist Russ Taylor, who owns and operates Out of Our Hands Gallery on Seventh Street.

DCCA’s board of directors will select various artists to paint the myriad sculptures, enlisting the help of professionals and youth groups alike to submit ideas and designs.

Additionally, the art organization is partnering with Pasco-Hernando State College’s welding program to fabricate metal structures designed to withstand inclement weather and other conditions.

The initiative is to not only spruce up the downtown area, but also use public artwork as a photo opportunity and marketing tool, to encourage residents and visitors alike to stroll throughout city limits. More frills include installing QR codes on each sculpture mapping out the location of other city landmarks and providing information about a particular artist or meaning of the artwork itself.

The entire concept is similar to outdoor art events in other cities that bring together artists’ creativity with a sculptural icon that relates to the city. In Dade City’s case, its official seal has a heart shape surrounded by kumquats in its center.

Some proposed locations for the forthcoming heart sculptures include:

  • Hibiscus Park
  • City Hall/Police station alcove entrance or nearby
  • Green space entrance to Hardy Trail
  • Meridian Avenue/U.S. 301 intersection, near Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum
  • Naomi S. Jones Park
  • Whitehouse historical landmark on Old Lakeland Highway
  • Lock Street/Hardy Trail intersection
  • Agnes Lamb Park near Meridian Avenue
  • Price Park
  • Watson Park
  • Dade City Garden Club

Calls for artwork are out now. Sculptures are expected to be debuted in late January. There are also plans to organize a “Take Heart” art, music and food walk in mid-February, further showcasing the artwork throughout the city.

Shown here is a rendering of the type of large-sized heart-shaped sculptures that will be installed at city-owned properties in the downtown area. The 3D sculptures will measure approximately 36 inches by 36 inches by 8 inches and will be attached to 6-foot steel posts secured to the ground. Image is for example only, and not representative of actual completed artwork.

City leaders expressed enthusiasm about the forthcoming project.

Said Mayor Pro Tem Jim Shive: “I think art’s a great thing. It’s a great motivator for the young people. I think it’s going to be great to have art in Dade City.”

Mayor Camille Hernandez added: “We look forward to seeing it come to fruition, and just adding that creative touch and some excitement for the town.”

Dade City staffers are likewise “very supportive” of the installation of public art objects, said Melanie Romagnoli, city’s community and economic development director.

“Coming from a staff perspective, for the locations within our CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) as well as in our comprehensive plan for the entire city, public art is encouraged as part of an attraction as a destination for people to come visit,” Romagnoli said.

A final agreement at the administrative level is expected to make DCCA responsible for repairing any wear-and-tear the sculptures incur, like if the original paint fades or chips.

Aside from heart-shaped sculptures, the DCCA, too, has ideas for other community art projects.

The group is expected to facilitate a wall mural visible from the Hardy Trail, that would be painted on the exterior of a nearby building.

Like with heart sculptures, the DCCA would similarly arrange for a mural’s funding and labor, pending city approval.

Published September 30, 2020

Dade City to hold first monarch festival

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Dade City is getting ready for its first Monarch Butterfly Festival.

The Dade City Monarch Butterfly Festival will offer visitors insightful tips on caring for the monarch butterfly species. (Courtesy of Dade City Garden Club)

The Oct. 12 event, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will celebrate Dade City’s induction as a  Monarch City USA. The designation refers to the city’s efforts in maintaining the survival of monarch butterflies.

Vendors will offer food and items for sale, including pottery, birdbaths, metal art and jewelry, to name just a few of the options.

The day also includes educational presentations on the monarch butterflies. There will be butterflies there, too, of course, as well as their eggs and caterpillars.

Plants will be on sale, too, including milkweed – a nutritional source for monarch butterflies.

There will be a kids’ area where butterfly-themed crafts can be designed and photos can be taken with an oversized butterfly.

Visitors will be able to take a stroll and view wildlife, and also can purchase tickets for a chance to win a hand-crafted potting bench. Tickets will sell for $2 each, or six for $10.

Admission and parking are free.

The function will be held at Hibiscus Park at Seventh Street and Bougainvillea Avenue in Dade City. It is being presented by the Dade City Garden Club and the Dade City Youth Council.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Out of Our Hands Gallery, 14245 Seventh St. in Dade City or on the day of the event.

For additional information, contact Joan Hepscher at (908) 890-4630 or at .

What: Dade City Monarch Butterfly Festival

Where: Hibiscus Park, Seventh Street and Bougainvillea Avenue in Dade City

When: Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Details: Dade City will celebrate its induction as a Monarch City USA, which means it aims to help maintain the survival of monarch butterflies. Educational presentations and plant sales will be available, along with activities for kids.

Info: contact Joan Hepscher at (908) 890-4630 or at .

Published October 2, 2019

 

Monarch City art show

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The Dade City Monarch Project Art Show will soon display various art pieces from 30 artists.

Multiple pieces of artwork will be on display at the Dade City Monarch Project Art Show from Oct. 5 to Oct. 19. (Courtesy of Russ Taylor)

The public event is in recognition of Dade City being inducted as a Monarch City – tending to the survival of the monarch butterflies.

It will be held from Oct. 5 to Oct. 19 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., unveiling various paintings, photography and sculptures for sale.

Artwork also will be judged.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez will choose a piece worthy of a top award, as will the Dade City Garden Club.

And, first and second place winners, among three different categories, will walk away with ribbons and cash prizes.

Admission and parking will be free.

The function will be at the Out of Our Hands Gallery at 14245 Seventh St., in Dade City.

For further information, please contact the Out of Our Hands Gallery at (352) 437-3204 or by visiting OutOfOurHandsGallery.com.

What: Dade City Monarch Project Art Show

Where: Out of Our Hands Gallery, 14245 Seventh St., Dade City

When: Oct. 5 to Oct. 19 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost: Free

Details: An art show in honor of Dade City becoming a Monarch City, where various pieces will be on display and for purchase. The opening reception will be held on Oct. 5 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., offering refreshments.

Info: Call Out of Our Hands Gallery at (352) 437-3204, or visit OutOfOurHandsGallery.com.

Published September 25, 2019