Andy Warhol Exhibit Opens At The Cornell Museum of Fine Arts

By Samantha Sharma

WINTER PARK, Fla. — The “Andy Warhol: Personalities” exhibit, located at The Cornell Museum of Fine Arts at Rollins College, is showcasing Polaroid’s taken by Andy Warhol himself. The exhibit opened on June 5 and will run until Jan. 3.

Warhol is most known for his art featuring the Campbell’s Soup Cans, Coca-Cola bottles, and famous celebrities and socialites such as Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger and Elizabeth Taylor.

Warhol was born in 1928 and from a young age displayed a talent in art. He succeeded with his brand of pop art and revolutionized an era with his paintings.

“The Polaroid’s and his art give us a look into his glamorous world,” said Leslie Spencer, one of the many museum observers.

The Polaroid’s were a gift from the museum by Photographic Legacy Program of the Andy Warhol Foundation. The Polaroid’s are of celebrities and socialites that Warhol worked with such as Pia Miller, Carolina Herrera and Wayne Gretzky, to name a few.

“My idea of a good picture is one that's in focus and of a famous person,” said Warhol in his book “The Philosophy of Andy Warhol.”

“The Polaroid images were a type of post-modern sketchbook,” said Tracy Gore, the museum’s education coordinator. “The Polaroid’s reveal the intimacy between artist and model.”

Warhol’s work became popular in the 60s’ and along with the popularity came controversy. Through the years Warhol faced much scrutiny along with the admiration and praise.

Warhol died in his sleep in 1987 in New York; his death was the result of a post-operative problem. Warhol after his death continued to influence other artists and have movies made about him and bands and songs dedicated to him.

“Warhol is such an influential artist, and this exhibit gives people the opportunity to get a glimpse into his process,” said Dana Hargrove, an art teacher at Rollins College.

Valencia's SGA President Speaks At News Conference

By Samantha Sharma

ORLANDO, Fla — A news conference was held at Valencia Community College with the new president of the Student Government Association on June 16 at Valencia's West Campus. President Robert Stio spoke about his goals for SGA and the ideas he plans to implement. 

Stio comes to the position of president with an “extensive background in the film and television industry.” Stio has worked on “full-length feature films, television shows and commercials” and plans to use his "professional experience to bring the SGA to a new level.”

“Mass media is the future,” said Stio, who plans on incorporating “marketing and publicity” to alert students about the SGA. Members of the SGA are currently in the process of creating an online monthly magazine called the Gavel, a SGA website, as well as using technology such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, video recordings and "word of mouth" in order to spread the word of the SGA.

Stio, 35, had initially ran for the position of vice-president, winning his position un-opposed. When the former president Warren Levy was not able to fulfill his duties due to “personal issue” Stio stepped in and assumed the role of president.

“I don’t have any power, but I know how to set things in motion,” said Stio.

Stio gave a brief presentation at the press conference on his goals and hopes for the SGA before opening the floor to questions.

Stio expressed that “students and student awareness” was the main goal of the SGA members. “We want to let students know that we really are listening and using their ideas,” said Stio.

Increasing student participation was another main concern of SGA members. "Anyone can get involved ... get involved, it is a benefit, there is money behind it," said Michael Scott, SGA's chief-of-staff, who accompanied Stio to the press conference. The SGA plans to have more one on one time with students and train SGA members in public relations in order to build a connection with students. The SGA also has planned an array of events in hope that they can get to hear from students and create awareness about the SGA.

SGA members are working on outlines and hammering out details to their ideas that they hope to have in effect soon. Stio’s current task is setting up the senate, which consists of senators he will appoint, and a swearing in ceremony on June 30.

For more information on the Student Government Association or how you can get involved email Rob Stio at SGAWPres@valenciacc.edu or visit the student leadership office in Building 3 Room 154.

Author Kyra Davis Promotes New Book

By Samantha Sharma

ORLANDO, Fla. — Author Kyra Davis visited Barnes & Noble on E. Colonial Drive, on June 9, to promote her new “comedic female driven mystery” novel “Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss.” The book is the newest addition to Davis’ Sophie Katz series.

The series follows Sophie Katz, a writer living in San Francisco, who happens to find herself amidst a world of mystery and crimes. In “Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss” Sophie becomes entranced with a Victorian house that she just must own, but when the owner turns up dead Sophie must uncover the truth of his death and deal with a suspicious ex-boyfriend.

Davis describes Sophie as “my alter-ego who is braver than me and kicks butt.”

Davis started off the event with a reading from the new novel, and then she spoke to the audience about the writing process of the new book. Davis began to then take audience questions and proceeded with signing books.

“I explored Sophie more in this book and the readers get to know her a lot better,” said Davis, who expressed that this book was a “delight to write” and her “most beloved” of the series.

“They’re fun books that take you out of your reality and into fantasy,” said Alexis Rangel, a soon-to-be University of Central Florida freshman.

Davis never expected to become a writer. “This was not a life long dream,” said Davis. “This was never my initial career path.”

In the beginning Davis was trying to start a career as an actor in New York, but when she realized that she might not be able to make a living with acting she moved onto fashion. After going through a divorce, and the aftermath of September 11 Davis “needed an escape from the darkness.”

“I began to write my own story, write my own escape,” said Davis. “50 pages into this I realized this could be more than an escape but my new direction.” Her mother paid for her to attend a writer’s conference where she met her first agent and inked a three-book deal.

“I saw the cover and it was pink with a coffee mug and I knew that she wrote it for me,” said Monika Fewell, as she spoke on what propelled her to read the Sophie Katz series. “I drove to the bookstore and started to read it immediately.” Fewell who lives in Texas made sure to make Davis’ book signing apart of her trip to Orlando.

Davis is currently writing her fifth book in the Sophie Katz series that will be out in June 2010. “Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss” is on sale now and can be found, along with Davis’ other books, at most bookstores. To learn more information about the author or any of her novels visit www.kyradavis.com. 

Children Build Confidence As They Read to Dogs

By Samantha Sharma

OCOEE, Fla. — An Orlando-based volunteer organization, Be An Angel Therapy Dogs Ministry, had members visit the West Oaks Library on March 23 to give young children the opportunity to be a part of their "Paws to Read" program.

Joan Quimby, a senior volunteer with the organization, gave a brief presentation about the purpose of the Paws to Read program and their hope for young children. “Paws to Read is a program that helps to encourage children to read,” said Quimby. 

Children were then able to pick books and have the chance to read their books out loud to one of the dogs. “The purpose of this program is to help children be confident in reading and we saw that dogs could help in that aspect,” said Quimby.

Hailee Johnson, a first grader at Ocoee Elementary, sat with Jakayla a German Shepherd as she read to her Dr. Seuss’ "Green Eggs and Ham." “I like reading and I like dogs so it is fun,” said Hailee.

“Children have the chance to read out loud to dogs who are never critical of their reading,” said Quimby. “This helps to build confidence within a child."

“I believe that reading is so important and this is a great way to help children build their confidence and hopefully find a love for reading,” said Sophia Johnson, mother of 6-year-old Hailee.

To find out more information about the organization visit www.beanangeltherapydogs.org