Ed's Heads does a month long exhibit of his work in the lobby gallery of the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne

THE ARTS

Self-taught artist brings tiki passion to exhibit

Culture Cues — Pam Harbaugh

See a collection of work by so-called "outsider" artists at an exhibition running through Nov. 2 in the lobby gallery of the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne.

The work is by four area artists — Ed Volonnino of Ed's Heads, Brian Dowdall, Kurt Zimmerman and the late Brevard musician Steve Mitter.

They are in Gary Monroe's new book, "Extraordinary Interpretations: Self-Taught Art in Florida."

Also called "primitive" art, this genre is very expressive, colorful and uninhibited.

For instance, Volonnino, known for his tiki carving, began working in clay while going to Cocoa Beach High School. For the past 25 years, though, he has hand-carved fantastical tiki faces primarily in palm-tree wood and cypress.

He was inspired to go into his area by watching his colleague and friend, Wayne Coombs, owner of Mai Tiki in Cocoa Beach, work in similar materials.

"I carve every day, seven days a week," he said. "I love what I do. Even if I won a lottery I would do it. It's like an addiction. I have to do it."

In addition to viewing his tikis at the King Center Lobby, you can see his work at Conchy Joe's Seafood Restaurant, 1477 Pineapple Ave., Melbourne, or by calling his studio at (321) 255-9835.

There will be a special lecture by Monroe and a reception for the four artists at 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at the King Center lobby gallery.

The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. Lobby gallery hours for the public are 1 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays except during matinee performances. Hours for ticketed King Center patrons are before and during intermissions at scheduled performances. Call (321) 632-1111, ext. 85100.

Take your child to a free family concert by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra on Sunday afternoon at the King Center for the Performing Arts.

The "Out of This World Family Concert" features spacey selections such as "Star Wars," "Jetsons" and "E.T." compositions.

Also, there will be post-concert lobby activities, including visits from "Star Wars" and "Star Trek" characters and an instrument petting zoo so your child can see musical instruments up close.

The concert is at 2 and 4 p.m. Admission is free, but tickets are required and are available at the BSO office, the King Center, Target, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Atlantic Strings, Brass & Reed, The Horn Section, Marion Music, Strings & Things and all Riverside National Banks.

Each ticket admits four people. Adults are admitted when accompanied by a child. Seating is first come, first seated.

Call (321) 242-2024 or e-mail [email protected].

Help support the Brevard Cultural Alliance's youth arts education program Saturday at a joint BCA-Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute art auction fundraiser.

Hubbs is raising funds for construction of a research facility in Melbourne Beach. The BCA is raising funds for its youth arts education program.

The connection comes through the visual arts, said Kay Beck, BCA president and CEO.

Over the years of working with Duane DeFreese, Hubbs' vice president of Florida research, Beck learned the two organizations have something in common — educating people by use of visual art.

"It's difficult to interpret science without the arts," she said.

The event features 150 pieces of artwork, including paintings, sculpture, jewelry and more, to be sold in both live and silent auctions.

It begins 6 p.m. Saturday at the HealthFirst Administrative Office, 6450 S. U.S. Highway 1, Rockledge. Admission is $50 and includes hors d'oeuvres, beverages and desserts. Call (321) 690-6817.

Volunteers are still being sought for the 20th annual Melbourne Art Festival, which will be April 24 and 25.

If interested, get to the organizing committee's next meeting, 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Henegar Center for the Arts, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne.

Call (321) 722-1964 or visit www.melbournearts.org.

Head case: The work of Ed Volonnino of Ed's Heads includes tiki heads hand-carved from palm-tree wood and cypress.

For FLORIDA TODAY

Send comments to Pam Harbaugh c/o Florida Today, P.O. Box 419000, Melbourne, FL 32941-9000.