New Smyrna Beach Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Robert Redd Historian & Author

Posted on March 21, 2023April 15, 2024 by Robert — Leave a comment

Exhibit by Candace Knapp in New Smyrna Beach

Flower, wood, 24 x 14 x 10 — The sculpture Flower is in wood and measures 26 x 14 x 10 Candace Knapp exhibit in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Make your plans to visit Arts on Douglas in downtown New Smyrna Beach between April 1 and May 27, 2023 for a new exhibit, Rites of Spring: Painting & Sculptures by Candace Knapp.

On April 1, there will be an opening reception from 4p-7p featuring live jazz music from TRio.

On Friday, May 12 at 11 a.m. there will be an artist talk you won’t want to miss.

Arts on Douglas
1213 Douglas Street
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
386-428-1133

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday through Friday 10a-5p
Saturday 10-4p
Sunday and Monday CLOSED

To learn more about Candace Knapp, I recommend visiting her website (where I have taken this biography and resume from.)

BIOGRAPHY

Candace Knapp portrait photo courtesy the Dabbert GalleryCandace Knapp exhibit New Smyrna Beach Florida — Candace Knapp, courtesy the Dabbert Gallery

My father was a toy designer, and I was encouraged to indulge my imagination. I earned a BFA in sculpture from the Cleveland Institute of Art and an MFA from the University of Illinois. I have had many teachers. I have learned about clarity from the Buddhists, fierce joy from the Sufis, magical holiness from Christian Mystics and life energy from Taoist TaiChi. The main influence in my life and work, however, is my ongoing relationship with nature, with birds, animals, insects, clouds, stars, microbes and especially trees. I have spent most of my life carving wood and feel a strong kinship with trees.

I have enjoyed traveling in Europe, Africa and Asia and lived in Sweden for a year with my husband, Bjorn. In Florida we had a company called Andren & Knapp in which we designed and produced furniture and statues for churches. We also worked together on Public Art commissions. All the pictures on this site were taken by Bjorn Andren. He is a gifted photographer.

I have done installations at the Brevard Art Museum (later named Foosner Art Museum), Florida
Museum for Women Artists, Florida Craftsmen Gallery in St Petersburg, the Morean Art Center,
and Mt Dora Center for the Arts and sometimes included composed background sounds as part
of the work. My work is in the permanent collection of the Miaoli Wood Sculpture Museum in
Sanyi, Taiwan (where I was invited to have a show in 2007) and in the Memphis Brooks
Museum of Art in Memphis TN. Lately I have been painting.

RESUME:
COLLECTIONS

Miaoli Wood Sculpture Museum, Sanyi, Taiwan ( 5 sculptures in the permanent collection)
TungHai University, TaiChung, Taiwan (“Flight of Mother Theresa”)
Tampa General Hospital (“Collected Memory”)
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis, TN, (“Tango Solo”)
The Ameriway Bank, Houston, TX, (“The Enfoldment”)
The Mobile Oil Corporation, Stockholm, Sweden, (“Three Sisters”)
The Northwood Institute.Collection, West Palm Beach, FL (“Wind in the Trees”)
HageGården Music Center, Edane, Sweden, (“Nyutsprungen”)
City of Tampa, FL (“Underwater Ballet” and “Sunlight on the Lake”)
Tampa Water Dept., Tampa, FL “The Waterbearers” (bronze fountain )
All Children’s Hospital, St Petersburg FL ( “Daydreamers” 12 mobiles for the emergency room)

PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS

City of St. Petersburg, FL, “The Enchanted Mangrove Forest”, (Central Avenue) 1995
Hillsborough County, FL (Pavilion Floor and History Walk , Courthouse Square, downtown Tampa)
Hillsborough County, FL (“Litigation” sculpture, County Courthouse)
City of St Petersburg, FL (“The Happy Town Players” nine large sculptures at the Main Library)

EDUCATION

Master of Fine Arts Degree in Sculpture, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, 1974,
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Sculpture ,The Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH, 1971 ,
Awarded “Helen Green Perry Traveling Scholarship” , traveled through Europe and West Africa
(across the Sahara) looking at art and people.
Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Skowhegan, Maine. Summer, 1969, Full Scholarship.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a
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Artists Magazine – $29.95

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History Talks at Halifax Historical Museum

Join us on September 3rd at 10:30 am for our new “History Talks” speakers’ program with Robert Redd. Enjoy coffee and donuts provided by Krispy Kreme donuts on International Speedway Blvd, as Robert discusses his book on New Smyrna Beach postcards. There will be an assortment of books for sale. Robert Redd is the former Director of the New Smyrna Museum of History, a graduate of Stetson University and American Public University, and serves as the County of Volusia Cultural Coordinator.

This event is free for Members. Non-members are $10.00.

All of Robert’s books will be available for purchase.

This event is sponsored by Krispy Kreme Donuts and Arcadia Publishing.

Posted on July 5, 2022April 21, 2023 by Robert — Leave a comment

Chisholm High School Family Tree Monument in New Smyrna Beach

In the days of segregation, the city of New Smyrna Beach was no different than
communities across the country. African American students were routed to schools
that were clearly separate but not equal. While not having the financial resources
that were allocated to white schools, that did not mean that students, faculty and
staff, did not have pride in their community school.

Are you interested in learning about the businesses of the Historic West Side, in New Smyrna Beach? You need a copy of History of New Smyrna Black Businesses with Present Area Businesses written by Fannie Minson Hudson. Click the link or the image to the left to order your copy today!

While there is no doubt that the end of legal segregation in education has been a positive for students of all races, it was a difficult shift and has not been without issue. Many believe that the end of segregation often brought the end of community schools and contributed to a breakdown of local community.

Florida State University professor of economics and past director of African-American
Studies, and current associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Patrick L. Mason stated that teaching was considered to be one of the highest professions that educated African-Americans could achieve. “They were blocked from most other professions, so you get all these exceptional people who become teachers.”

Dr. Michael Butler of Flagler College has written an incredible book on the struggles of integration in Escambia County, FL. Beyond Integration is highly recommended.

Mason points out that one of the tragedies of integration was the loss of certain
black institutions, of which schools were most prominent. Black schools such as
Chisholm High School were shuttered and students were forced to white schools.
“We went from our schools, which were a thing of great pride, to their schools,
where we were tolerated.” Principals, teachers, and other staff, were often demoted
or put into roles well below their skill level.

Chisholm Wildcat located at Babe James Center in New Smyrna Beach

As Chisholm student Michael Williams relates, “It was a neighborhood school, principals and teachers went to the same church, and these people were our role models.”

Roy Brooks, a 1968 Chisholm graduate stated, “At Chisholm, we had personal contact, not only between the teachers with the students, but also the teachers with the parents.” This interaction is something that is missing in the world of education today.

Chisholm High School can trace its roots to the turn of the 20th century. It was then that Leroy Chisholm, a local barber, turned two adjoining houses into classrooms for black children. Chisholm would later fund the Chisholm Academy, a school for middle school aged children. When grades 10 through 12 were added to the Academy, the name was changed to Chisholm High School.

Chisholm High School was closed after the 1969 academic year but its legacy is
not forgotten. The Chisholm Alumni Association is rightfully proud of their
school. On July 14, 2012, the association dedicated a monument on the site of the
Babe James Center in the heart of the Historic West Side of New Smyrna Beach.

The text of the marker reads:

The Chisholm Family Tree

As a mainstay of shaping and cultivating
Our academic growth and maturity, we
Reflect on our proud high school heritage.
We hereby salute the students who
Attended Chisholm High twelve days,
Twelve months, twelve years; teachers
Who inspired and encouraged us;
Administrators and staff who nurtured us.
You were there for us! Let this monument
Be a reminder of our educational, cultural,
Athletic, and social experiences as we
Prepared for a whole new world. We heard
Your words, “Depart from here and use

Your mind toward making a resounding
Positive impact on the lives of others and
This world.” The Chisholm Family Tree Wall
Is dedicated to you and all the Chisholm
Family members world-wide. Thank you
For the memories and we are forever
Grateful. Come back again for a visit.

“Oh Chisholm High Forever Our Dear Alma mater Dear”

Dedicated on this date July 14, 2012 and sponsored by
Chisholm High Alumni Association

If you have information on Chisholm High School you would like to share, please
reach out to me or leave a comment to this post.

To learn more about Chisholm High School I recommend contacting the Mary S.
Harrell Black Heritage Museum.

In addition, you should reach out to the New Smyrna Museum of History.

The Chisholm High Alumni Organization has a Facebook page. If you attended
Chisholm High School, you are encouraged to get in touch with them.

Sources:

Daytona Beach News Journal July 14, 2018

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.

Essence
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Written with the African American woman in mind, Essence discusses a wide array of topics including fashion, entertainment, beauty tips, and culture. Click the link or the image for exclusive deals on a subscription and begin enjoying issues shortly.

New Smyrna Museum of History Book Discussion

Join Robert at the New Smyrna Museum of History on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 6:30p when he will be discussing his newest book, Hidden History of Civil War Florida. Robert is proudly published by Arcadia Publishing.

Free admission for members, non-members $8 for adults, ages 11 to 17 $5, 10 and under free.

They will have copies of all Roberts book available for sale and he will be glad to sign them for you.

For more information call the museum at 386-478-0052 or email at nsmofhistory@gmail.com .

Posted on May 27, 2022April 12, 2024 by Robert — Leave a comment

Public Art Shark Sculptures in New Smyrna Beach Florida

Many years ago, New Smyrna Beach was known by the moniker WSBB, or
World’s Safest Bathing Beach. Even today, there is an AM radio station using
these call letters. Now visitors and residents of New Smyrna Beach can find painted shark sculptures throughout town.

Over time, the marketing slogan has gone by the wayside, replaced by something a
bit more ominous sounding, the Shark Bite Capital of the World. It is ominous
sounding but the odds of receiving a shark bite are miniscule at best. As WESH
reported, in 2021 there were sixteen shark bites in waters at Volusia County. These
tie for the second highest number of bites in the last twenty years. In fact, the
International Shark Attack File reports only 137 bites throughout the world in
2021. Despite being the intruder, you are safe in the ocean.

An example of the Atlantic Blacktip Shark

Experts reply that this locally high number is not due to an increase in shark population but rather an increase in the number of humans visiting beaches. Typically, these bites are from blacktip sharks, a species known to frequent the shallow waters where they may be feeding on baitfish or perhaps giving birth. The majority of bites occur near Ponce Inlet, an area known to have a large quantity of baitfish. This area is also popular with surfers so man/nature interaction is to be expected.

Despite some locals not wanting to continue the seemingly negative image, a group of high school students, along with City of New Smyrna Beach elected officials have created a new public art initiative featuring whimsical version of these often feared predators.

In May 2019, the Youth Council Task Force presented the idea to the city
commission of painted sharks, along the lines of what other communities have
done. Logistical issues, including design and cost of the sharks, where they would
be placed—public lands or at private businesses, and later COVID-19 delayed, but
could not stop, this initiative.

With the assistance of Rick Hardy, a taxidermist at Unique Species, Inc., the
project moved forward. Hardy crafted five shark sculptures, each seven feet long,
two feet tall, and one foot wide. The Youth Council selected local artists to give
these sculptures their own painted interpretation. These individual works of art
were then installed at city owned facilities throughout town.

Cathy Berse
City Marina 201 N. Riverside Drive

Cathy Berse is well known in local art circles, having lived in the area for more
than thirty years. Her goal is to show that New Smyrna Beach is about more than
being the shark bite capital of the world. Her work is an attempt to bridge the
mainland and beachside, with one side of her shark representing each.

Eliza Midgett
Brannon Center 105 S. Riverside Drive

Ms. Midgett states that color is a part of who she is. Her shark inspiration came
from growing up at the beach. A News-Journal article quoted her, “Images of sand
dunes and the paths through them etched indelibly into my memory.” Her
contribution “Sam the Shark,” features bright colors and nods to New Smyrna
Beach such as a crab, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, and condominiums.

Eliza Midgett shark at the Brannon Center — Eliza Midgett painted shark at the Brannon Center.

Eliza Midgett painted shark at the Brannon Center.

Shyriaka Morris
Live Oak Cultural Center 1050 Live Oak Street

Shy, as she is often called, is a fourth generation New Smyrna Beach resident. She
and her daughter worked on the design together. “We decided to paint happy kids
enjoying time at New Smyrna Beach swimming on their floats in the ocean. We
also included a landscape so viewers would know it’s the beach and not a pool.”
Morris is glad to see public art projects like this and hopes the city continues
offering artists these type opportunities.

Shy Morris painted sharkNew Smyrna Beach Shark Sculptures — Shy Morris painted shark at the Live Oak Cultural Center.

Shy Morris painted shark at the Live Oak Cultural Center.

Randal Preston
Alonzo “Babe” James Community Center 201 N. Myrtle Avenue

Ms. Preston, who is a teacher at Indian River Elementary School, named her shark
“Ponce.” The inspiration for her shark came from “all aspects of my life,”
including her family and teaching experiences. According to Ms. Preston, art “can
influence, entertain, and educate your audience, and most of the time without even
using any words.”

Randal Preston painted shark at the Alonzo “Babe” James Community Center.

Randal Preston painted sharkNew Smyrna Beach shark sculptures — Randal Preston painted shark at the Alonzo “Babe” James Community Center

Margo Wenzel
Development Services Building 214 Sams Avenue

While many consider the food scene in New Smyrna Beach to be a highlight, Ms.
Wenzel uses music as her theme. “I was inspired by NSB’s offerings of music for
my shark theme. There is live music in town at the farmer’s market, Old Fort Park,
Riverside Park, the various street fair events, countless bars and restaurants, and
The HUB on Canal.”

Margo Wenzel painted shark. New Smyrna Beach shark sculptures. — Margo Wenzel painted shark at the Development Services Building.

Margo Wenzel painted shark at the Development Services Building.

You may take a tour of these amazing pieces of art with my YouTube video. Please consider subscribing to my channel to enjoy more of the interesting places I visit. I hope to be posting to YouTube more frequently.

Sources:
Daytona Beach News Journal. January 19, 2022.
Hometown News. January 14, 2022.

Buy Me A Coffee donation link — Click the image to support this site through Buy Me A Coffee. Your support pays for web services, research trips, photocopies, and photo usage fees.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a
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HistoryCon at Museum of Arts and Sciences

Authors Robert Redd and Bob Grenier will be attending the inaugural summer edition of HistoryCon at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach. Bob and Robert will both have copies of their books available for purchase. Both authors are proudly published by Arcadia Publishing.

For more details visit HistoryCon on the web.

Admission to HistoryCon is included with museum admission.

HistoryCon

July 30, 2022 10am-3pm

Museum of Arts and Sciences

353 S. Nova Road

Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Robert — Leave a comment

New Smyrna Beach Mural Ordinance to be Considered

The City of New Smyrna Beach, a self proclaimed art town, is currently reviewing an ordinance that would provide regulation on current and future murals.

The proposed ordinance (ordinance no. 13-22, first reading on April 26, 2022) creates a definition for murals, non-residential primary structures, and residential primary structures. The intent of the ordinance is that art or graphics “be permitted within certain non-residential zoning districts of the City to aesthetically enhance otherwise blank walls and building side and rear wall.”

Those seeking to have a mural placed on their building will now file for a permit, with the appropriate $50 application fee of course, with the city Department of Development Services. The city has created a listing of requirements, including size limits for art based upon wall size. Advertising and written messages are not permitted. Current murals will be granted a five year window to be in compliance with new guidelines (if passed).

While I agree that there does need to be a set of approved guidelines for murals and public art, it appears that city staff did not include the art or business community when drawing up the proposed ordinance. From my research it appears they have only reviewed guidelines from other local governments. Who those local governments are is not stated in agenda packet.

If staff and the city Planning and Zoning Board had worked with interested local parties they would have found out that many of the murals currently in place, and enjoyed by thousands of visitors and residents, do not meet the proposed guidelines. As Jane’s Art Center has posted on Facebook , this ordinance may impact current art. It appears no exceptions have been made for artist signatures. Is that considered a written message and thus not allowed? The beloved shark mural on the side of the HUB on Canal will need to undergo extensive work to be in compliance if the proposed ordinance passes.

Ordinance 13-22 had been on the agenda for the May 10, 2022 city commission meeting but was pulled. Public comments appear to have been allowed however.

For art in public places enthusiasts this is an issue that we need to keep our eyes on. Not living in New Smyrna Beach I don’t have a feel for what individual commissioners may be thinking on this. Common sense regulation will help keep murals that are negative or detrimental to the city image from being created. Regulation will also mandate that murals be maintained and allow for code violations should they fall into disrepair. It does however become a fine line between property rights, free speech, and what may be best for the larger community. Bringing stakeholders to the table will help create the best ordinance possible and will provide for reasonable grandfathering in of existing murals.

Please click the link below to read the current ordinance as posted on the April 26, 2022 City of New Smyrna Beach city commission meeting agenda.

New Smyrna Beach Mural Ordinance

Posted on March 1, 2022March 16, 2022 by Robert — Leave a comment

Restaurant Review–Touch of Italy in New Smyrna Beach, FL

Located beachside in New Smyrna Beach is a gem of an Italian restaurant by the name of Touch of Italy. It is easy to find, driving south just look for the large Dollar General Market on the west side of South Atlantic Avenue. It is in that shopping center.

Sal, the owner, is about the nicest person you will meet. Chances are he is the one who will greet you when you come in the door and he will show you to your table or booth. If you go back a second time there is a strong possibility he is going to recognize you. He is just that type of person.

The menu offers traditional American Italian cuisine. You can get everything from pizza to pasta to sandwiches during lunch hours. All of it is cooked to order and delicious. Pizzas come in traditional or deep-dish Sicilian style. Several specialty options are available or create your own from a list of toppings. This is much better than any chain you will find and priced very competitively.

Touch of Italy--lasagna — The delicious lasagna at Touch of Italy

On our most recent visit, we opted to order pasta dishes rather than pizza. We have ordered this way before so we knew we would not be disappointed. The meal starts with a breadbasket. The bread is delicious but don’t fill up here. With our entrees came a salad option. We both opted for the Caesar, which came with dressing on the side making it easy to control and customize to your preference. My wife ordered the baked ziti and I opted for lasagna. The sauce is delicious and my wife’s favorite locally. It is a thinner, more tomato based offering. It is not loaded up with sugar, as you will find in most processed sauces. Her portion was quite large and she was able to make two meals out of it. My lasagna (pictured) was perfect. Layers of pasta, sauce, meat, and plenty of cheese delivered bubbly hot. For some you might add a dash or two of salt to the sauce but I passed in order to enjoy the recipe as created.

We did not partake of dessert or view the wine list so I am not able to comment on either part of the
menu.

The service was excellent. Sal greeted us the door immediately and showed us to a booth. My wife has
eaten there many times though she and I have not been in several years. He remembered her and was
able to remember details about her mother as well. Service like that is near impossible to find. Our
server was friendly and attentive but not overbearing. She brought new drinks without any hesitation.
Once our food was delivered she and Sal both stopped by to check and make sure everything met
expectations.

The restaurant was clean, staff made sure tables were bused quickly, with tables, and booths, wiped
down and sanitized. The carpets were clean and it was easy to see that staff takes pride in their work.
A Touch of Italy is a bit out of the way if you live on mainland but it is worth the drive. The food and
service are both top notch. We will certainly be adding this restaurant back to our regular rotation.

You can visit Touch of Italy at:

4198 S. Atlantic Avenue
New Smyrna Beach, FL
386-423-8956

Review the menu below.

Looking for pizza options in the New Smyrna Beach area? Look no further. Take a look at my listing of non-chain options and find a delicious pizza made just for you.

Touch of Italy logo

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Robert — Leave a comment

Florida Surf Film Festival Coming in Novemeber

Florida Surf Film Festival

Make your plans now to attend the 2021 Florida Surf Film Festival being held on the campus of the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach. Tickets for the two day event are available online now starting as low as $15.

Whether you are a seasoned surfing veteran, a novice, or a film buff, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Film makers scheduled to attend include Jack Coleman and Isaac Halasima.

Jurors in attendance for the 2021 festival include Matt Warshaw, Encyclopedia of Surfing, Scott Hulet of The Surfer’s Journal, and Matthew Shaw, The Surfer’s Journal writer.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.

Tag: New Smyrna Beach