Florida

Children are the world’s most valuable resource and the best hope for the future – JFK

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Taking a clue from the book, I painted the modernist bridge against the anachronist Red lighthouse. My contemporary approach in the lighthouse art painting is a delightful, refreshing and compelling contrast to the historic lighthouse. 

The Art Guild of Orange Park is partnering with St. Johns Day School for an exhibit at their new Performing Arts Center. See breathtaking art by artists from local artists. Orange Park, Florida now through January 6, 2025. 

I selected my painting of the Little Red Lighthouse, or Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse, as it reflects the power of children to create change.

Made famous by the children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde W. Swift and Lynd Ward, the story inspired hundreds of children to write letters that saved the lighthouse.

Today, it stands as the last lighthouse on the Hudson River and the only remaining one in Manhattan. A tribute to the power of youth. 

A meet and greet for students begins on October 28 at 2 pm and concludes at 4 pm with parents joining in on the discussion. 

elainemariefineart.com

St. Augustine’s Crucial Role in the Civil Rights Movement

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

In 1871 during Florida reconstruction, Congress appropriated $100,000 for a new St. Augustine Lighthouse. African Americans were a part of the work crew.

In the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King and leaders of the Southern Christian Conference Leadership undertook a pivotal journey to St. Augustine, Florida. Their mission was to galvanize the nation in support of civil rights, recognizing the city’s potential to shape the racial landscape of Florida. Dr. King, addressing issues such as federal funding for the city’s segregated 400th birthday celebration, sought national attention.

As St. Augustine geared up for its quadricentennial celebration, racial tensions escalated, drawing national attention due to violent acts by the Ku Klux Klan, white citizens, and local police against peaceful protesters. Amidst this turmoil, an assassination attempt was made on Dr. King during his May 1964 visit. Subsequently, his arrest in June, stemming from a request to be served at a whites-only hotel, further highlighted the city’s struggles.

Despite facing adversity, Dr. King resisted leaving St. Augustine when a Grand Jury advised him to do so, aiming to prevent negative repercussions on the stalled Civil Rights Bill in Congress. In response to the unrest, Florida’s Governor formed a biracial committee on June 30.

Interestingly, the leaders of the National SCLC left St. Augustine just a day before the historic passage of the Civil Rights Bill on June 1. Some argue that media coverage of the tumultuous events in St. Augustine played a pivotal role in garnering support for the Civil Rights Bill. Dr. King himself later reflected that St. Augustine bore the cross of “suffering and violence” that contributed significantly to Congress passing the Civil Rights Bill of 1964.

kinginstitute.org

elainemariefineart.com

Grab your flip flops, sunshades and imagination

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Explore the Miami Beach Art Deco District through of the eyes children. Splash and Color is an 18 page multicultural coloring book featuring popular sites in Florida’s second most popular destination.

This year, Miami Beach Art Deco Weekend celebrates Florida’s Historic Coastal. These destinations alone draw tourists from around the world. Close to 100.00 visitors attended Miami Beach Art Deco Weekend last year.

The event has expanded, offering free fitness classes, a Classic Car Show, live jazz, an Artisan Market, Kids Zone, and more.

The Arf Deco Dog Walk adds a playful touch, while tours and sketch walks provide additional highlights.

The weekend not only honors Barbara Capitman’s contributions but also advocates for the preservation of the city’s rich architectural heritage,

Capitman’s unwavering vision and determination gave rise to the iconic Art Deco District, the first 20th-century neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She was the founder of the Miami Design Preservation League.

elainemariefineart.com

splashandcolor.com

Grab your sunshades, flip flops & imagination

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Splash and Color is an 18 page multicultural coloring book featuring popular sites in Florida’s second most popular destination.

Miami Beach is a hub of creativity. In December, Art lovers from around the world flock to its sunny shores during Art Basel; the United States biggest art fair.

Art Deco Weekend continues the momentum and fanfare on January 13-15. Its 800 plus Art Deco buildings are the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world.

Explore the Miami Beach Art Deco District through the eyes of children. Splash and Color is an 18 page multicultural coloring book featuring popular sites in Florida’s second most popular destination.

splash and color.com

Behind every child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first. Matthew Jacobson

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Because shuttle launches were loosening the prism of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse’s fresnel lens, in 1993 a high powered searchlight replaced it.

Mae Jemison has always reached for the stars. In 1992, she became the first African American woman to become an astronaut.

Jemison was born in Decatur, Alabama. When she was three years old, her family moved to Chicago in pursuit of better education for their children. Throughout Mae’s early school years her parents were supportive of her talents and abilities.

When she was young she had a love for science. Jemison dedicated time in her school library reading books on science, especially astronomy.

When she graduated in 1973 as an honor student, Jemison entered Stanford University on a National Achievement Scholarship. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering in 1977.

After entering Cornell University, Jemison led a study for the American Medical Association in Cuba. She also worked in a Cambodian Refugee Camp in Thailand. Mae Jemison graduated with an MD from Cornell then worked as the area Peace Corps medical officer for Sierra Leone. She is fluent in Russian, Japanese and Swahili.

In 1985 Mae Jemison decided to pursue her childhood dream. She was chosen out of 2,000 candidates for the NASA astronaut training program in 1986. As a science mission specialist she was responsible for conducting crew-related scientific experiments on the space shuttle. Jemison flew into space on September 12, 1992, with six other astronauts aboard the space shuttle Endeavor.

MaeJemisonBio

elainemarieartist.com

When dreams take flight

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

During airshow season, the Blue Angels team is stationed at Fort Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Their mission is to bring aviation to men, women and children across America. For over 70 years they have mesmerized over more than 450 million spectators.

It is in the nature of a child to dream. Adults sometimes dismiss these dreams as wishful thinking forgetting they once had childhood dreams.

As planes flew over his family farm in Georgia, Donnie Cochran began dreaming of becoming a pilot. The farm seemed to beckon the aircraft. Because the planes’ flight path was over the farm, the daily sighting became a ritual.

When he became older he pursued his dream and became a Navy pilot. The challenge of flying the fighter and flying off a Navy ship inspired him. In 1976, he graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the Navy.

In 1986, Commander Donnie Cochran became the first African American to become a member of the Blue Angel Flight team. He also made history in 1995 and 1996 by becoming the first African American Blue Angels commanding officer.

DonnieCochran

elainemarieartist.com

Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make together for our children. Sitting Bull

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Kenneth Triester designed the sculpture at Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach that took more than four years to build. It was officially dedicated in 1990.

The United Nations has set aside January 27 as International Holocaust Day. It is the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of 7,000 prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp by Soviet Troops.

Super Heroes in Miami Beach

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Children can often rally the super hero in parents.

We love stories about the underdog. Seeing others overcome incredible odds empowers us. Perhaps that explains the appeal many have for super heroes. But there lies within us the same power. It is often during a crisis we harness the super hero within us.

Two years after moving to Miami, Barbara Capitman’s husband died. Instead of packing up her bags and feeling sorry for herself she decided to make new friends and help others. She looked at Miami Beach and saw the old boarded up buildings and the needy people living in them. Developers only saw the buildings and wanted to tear them down.

Barbara Capitman fought developers and city officials “tooth and nail” to preserve the historical buildings. She briefly laid in front of bulldozers to block demolition of a building. She literally laid down her life for the buildings in Miami Beach.

If not for Capitman’s vision, fortitude and perseverance, there would not be an Art Deco District. It was the first 20th century neighborhood placed on the National Register of Historic Places much to her efforts.

After learning about Capitman, I became an avid supporter of preservation. I began painting Miami Beach Art Deco Buildings and created my Art Deco coloring book.

Splashandcolor.com

Miamidesignpreservationleague

The Magic of Mangroves

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

“Mangroves are magical forests where we discover nature’s secrets. They straddle the connection between land and sea and nature and humans.”

I love manatees and manatees love mangroves. They provide food and a safe place for young manatees.

Mangroves help protect Florida’s coastline by preventing erosion and absorbing storm surge during hurricanes.

Sanibel Island is a place where humans and nature peaceably coexist.

They capture carbon monoxide and greenhouse gases. They serve as a habitat and refuge for Florida wildlife.

Mangroves provide a habitat for 80 percent of finfish and shellfish sought by commercial and sports fishermen.

Notifications to the city of Sanibel are always required before taking any action involving mangroves.

They improve water quality by filtering out harmful pollutants.

nature.org

mysanibel.org

worldwidlife.org

elainemarieartist.com