May Brings History, Culture, and Fine Arts to the Center for the Arts

Source:  Anastasia Dengerud / Bay Arts Alliance / [email protected] / 850.640.3670

PANAMA CITY, Florida – The Bay Annual Competition and Exhibition returns for its 59th year this May at the Center for the Arts. Joining this exhibition will be the Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month exhibit in the Miller gallery and Angel Martinez’s work in the cafe.

In the 1960’s, the Panama City Artist Association started the Bay Annual juried competition and exhibition, a tradition we are honored to continue. Artists from all fine arts mediums (except photography) are welcome to submit works on any topic. The Bay Annual Exhibition is open to artists of all ages residing in 16 counties in the Panhandle area.

“We’re so excited to be hosting the Bay Annual again,” said Jayson Kretzer, director of Bay Arts Alliance. “This show is always the perfect opportunity for our local creatives to reconnect with each other. We hope the community will come out to see and support the work of some of our area’s most talented artists.”

This year’s judge is Tallahassee artist Brinda Pamulapati. She is the artist, owner, and director of the Venvi Art Gallery in Tallahassee, Florida. Brinda has served as a judge for many local arts organizations in the Tallahassee area, including but not limited to: Artist League MOFA 2018, Artopia 2017-2019, 2021, the panel discussion in Gadsden Museum of Art, and the COCA Cultural Grant Program Panel 2019.

In celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage month, the Miller gallery will include a variety of Asian art pieces, ranging from textiles and scrolls of art to common household items.

Jeannie Millaway, a local writer and engineer, organized this heritage exhibition in collaboration with other families in Panama City, collecting family heirlooms and other staples in Asian art to educate and fascinate visitors.

While preparing for this exhibit, Jeannie stated, “My search began with Asian Immigrants like myself, but I soon discovered that connections to Asian culture are beyond skin colors. Asian art and objects were treasured by military families, through friendships across borders, or sometimes just a simple appreciation of their uniqueness. I was amazed by the enthusiasm of those contributing items for this exhibit, and humbled by their willingness to let me tell their stories.”

The cafe gallery will be displaying works by local photographer Angel Cervantes this month.

Angel’s passion for art and nature has led him to develop a style that involves various mediums, experimenting with oils, watercolors, charcoal, photography, clay, and acrylic paints.

In this exhibit you can expect to see a photography series that celebrates our incredible biodiversity and the effect of experiences on our perspectives, as an individual and collective consciousness.

These exhibitions will be on display Friday, May 6, through Saturday, May 28. An opening reception will be held Friday, May 6, from 5-7pm and competition awards will be announced at 6pm. The Center for the Arts is open and free to the public Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-5pm, and Friday, 10am-7pm.

Panama City Center for the Arts:  It is located in downtown Panama City is housed in the beautiful 1925 historic City Hall building. The Center for the Arts is managed by Bay Arts Alliance and provides visitors and the local community with creative enrichment through monthly art shows and exhibitions, films, concerts, educational art classes for all ages, and special focus classes for Bay County school trips. The facility and grounds are under the ownership of the City of Panama City.