Photo of the Day - November 18, 2012

Pompano Drum Circle

One that I can always count on in my work life is that I will NEVER be bored.

Since August 1, I have been the Interim Director of the Broward Cultural Division.  The pace of my day has changed to a whirlwind and I am no longer in control of my schedule.  However, I am not complaining.  Each day starts quietly since I choose to arrive early, before anyone else.  This gives me time to get settled . . . get my cup of chai tea, eat my Greek yogurt, catch up on email.  Then as the staff arrive, the noise level increases, the phones start ringing, the appointments begin and I am off!  At the end of the day, as I am driving home, I unwind by calling my daughter, who is now in her senior year of college.  If she is available, we chat for a bit, but sometimes she is in class or at a meeting and we can't connect.  But that is when my iPhone comes in handy since I have all of my favorite tunes out there and I just turn up the volume and reflect on my day.

This week we prepared for a ribbon cutting event that took place on Saturday morning for the new transfer transit center in Pompano Beach.  Because of the Broward Cultural Division's two percent public art ordinance, public art was part of this new transit center and the grand opening of the public artwork, Pompano Drum Circle, was the same day.

The artist, Bill Buchan, who is also a percussionist who has performed at Carnegie Hall and on Broadway, was on hand to demonstrate how the artwork can be "played" and I say that because the artwork is made up of five different types of drums made out of stainless steel.  

After the ribbon cutting ceremony and the speeches of all of the elected and appointed officials, we moved over to the Pompano Drum Circle.  These photos are from the artist's demonstration as well as some local artists who brought their own percussion instruments to play along!  My friend and colleague, Bill Nix, from the Palm Beach Cultural Council drove down to participate!

This was such a wonderful event.  Not only was the weather perfect, a clear, blue sky with temperatures in the low 70s, but there was a steady breeze so that the hot sun didn't feel so hot!!  There were about 50 people in attendance and I could see them swaying with the beat of the instruments, tapping their feet and there were smiles.  Many, many smiles.

That is what art is all about.  It connects us.  And that is what the public art was all about.  This is why I love what I do.  

So when I come home and I am tired from a long day of being Interim Director, all I need is one day like Saturday to remind me of why I do what I do!