Pat Greene is Bungalower Media’s first sponsored Resident Reporter. Greene has joined our team as our Arts and Culture Correspondent, supported by the efforts of Interstruct Design + Build, an award-winning Orlando-based design and build firm.
I’ve never gotten a tattoo. Most of my friends have one. Maybe it’s a fear of commitment. I have thought about it—why not? I might not like that image next week or next year. I have a similar feeling about lists that rank in order. I am not a huge fan. I know people like these lists.
Since I do write this column for others, I have made a list.
These are my top ten for the year 2024.
10. The Alfond Collection is something that I’ve written about previously. It is a world-class contemporary art collection in the Alfond Inn in Winter Park. It’s a part of the Rollins College Art Museum. Barbara and Theodore Alfond came up with the concept and it is free to the public. It always felt like a secret gem. It features artists like Kara Walker, Carrie Mae Weems, Jack Whiten, Terry Winters, Francis Alys, Mel Chin, Tracey Emin, Charles Gaines, Trevor Paglen, Jenny Holzer, Isaac Julien, Alex Katz, Julie Mehretu, Vik Muniz, Shirin Neshat and Jeffrey Gibson.
9. The DTOLive! Program (Website) sponsored by United Arts and the City of Orlando is another favorite. Several locations in downtown Orlando have buskers and other performers performing most weekdays and the performers are paid $250 per session; activating the streets and local artists’ wallets.
8. Full disclosure, but this is an event that I help organize. Every fourth Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. most months, everyone is invited to meet for the Sort of Brutally Early Meetup (Website). There is no agenda or keynote speaker. The idea is to hear from anyone who is creative or is a fan of creativity. The idea is to connect with others. It’s an event to discuss and get input about projects you are working on or meet others. It always happens at CityArts. The next one is Wednesday, January 22 at 7:30 a.m.
7. The Cross Draft Gallery at FAVO (Website) is run by local art icon Richard Munster (Website), who I have described previously as a cerebral skateboarder. The work is primarily ceramics, as Richard is a ceramicist and art professor at Valencia College. He shows a lot of work that nobody else in the area does. His curation is excellent. The events are every month, on the first Friday and Saturday.
6. Grandma Party Bazaar (Instagram) happens every December at Stardust Coffee and Video in Winter Park. It is a spot for holiday shopping and buying locally made items. A lot of great items. This is much better than Amazon or the mall—another full disclosure. In 2011, my friend Alex Boeckl and I set up an anti-cannabis table during efforts to legalize medicinal marijuana. We thought it was funny. Several potheads disagreed.
5. Circuit Church (Website) is a synth collective anchored by Jared Silvia. It features electronic musicians, many of whom make their own equipment, and some are synthesizers. Some are unique creations. They perform every 4th Saturday at the Nook.
4. The Space Station (Instagram) is a lot of things. Aaron Sarkisian and his partner, Liz Bates, run a screen print shop in their new warehouse space in SODO. They were located in the Packing District for the last few years. They have hosted some of the best art shows in town and are open to creativity. They are also very community-minded.
3. Achromatic Aria Fresco (Instagram) might not ring any bells in your head. If you have been in downtown Orlando recently, you have seen it. It’s the vast, brilliant mural across the street from the downtown library on the corner of Rosalind and Central. The concept is Peterson Guerrier’s. Chris Jones and Claudia Rios comprise the rest of this prolific and immensely talented creative team. The image is of Peterson’s daughter. It’s a beautiful addition to our downtown.
[Editor’s Note: This mural will one day be torn down with the building to expand Lake Eola Park].
2. PUSH and Torn Apart are two Orlando Museum of Art (Website) exhibitions that run in tandem. PUSH features 80s skateboard photography by the legendary J. Grant Brittain. Torn Apart is a collection of Punk, Post Punk, and New Wave fashion, graphics, and culture. These exhibits have a lot of nostalgic value for me and many others. The Orlando Museum of Art has had some tough times. Curator Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon (Interview) has been instrumental in bringing in fresh material and energy.
1. SNAP (Website) has been a longtime cultural hub. The gallery has kept this city relevant.
Patrick and Holly Kahn are tastemakers in Orlando. You can count on powerful contemporary work and a fun party if they are involved. Their gallery on Church Street just closed. Patrick’s health issues are the main reason for the closing. They are my friends. They are friends to many of you. I can’t overstate their contribution as curators, organizers, community members, and human beings.
I am sad thinking about the idea that the gallery closed, and even more heartbreaking to think that my good friend Patrick Kahn is ill. I hope the momentum, energy, and good taste can continue through others.
Thank you, Patrick and Holly. You are loved.
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