Culture pops at Maitland's art center

“It’s a plausible reality,” said artist Jake Fernandez describing his new multi-media exhibit Constructed Landscapes at the Maitland Art & History Center.

The same could be said of the events held there the same evening featuring a mashup of art exhibit, fashion show, concert and food festival.

The concept is simple. The execution, however, is a bit like a juggling act.

Culture Pop! is the A&H’s event series featuring a variety of so-called “pop-up” exhibits – one-night events showcasing local artists doing what they do best. The public is invited to mingle with the artists and experience the sights and sounds of art in action.

January’s Culture Pop! theme was the Dapper Date and featured vintage clothing stylist Dana Marie Roquemore of Other People’s Property, local duo Chasing Jonah, the opening night of Fernandez’s exhibit, as well as food from Quick Dinners and beverages from Cigar City Brewing and Joel Gott Fine Wines.

A&H members got in for free; General admission of $5 includes a free drink.

The event exudes the atmosphere of an open house, with guests invited to wander from one setting to another enjoying anything in any order.

Guests who wandered through the art gallery before 9 p.m. chatted up featured artist Jake Fernandez, whose mixed media works included an intricate photo collage reminiscent of an impressionist painting. Visiting from France, Helen Vinson couldn’t help herself, tugging Fernandez’ arm to get his attention while he was chatting with another patron.

Then she broke with taboos by asking to touch his art, though she knew it wasn’t allowed. With a nonchalant gesture, Fernandez waved at his painting and invited her Vinson to touch it.

“Just don’t let them see you,” he said of the gallery staff.

As she reached out to touch the piece delicately, Fernandez deepened his voice and called out, “Hey, You!” in his best security guard voice, bringing a ripple of laughter from Vinson and her friends.

Just across the narrow street, the opening cords of Chasing Jonah’s dreamy set were beginning as patrons gathered to hear them play while chatting over drinks in the garden courtyard.

Mingling with the guests, models dressed in vintage fashions from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, ranging in style from glamorous evening wear to dresses that looked straight out of LIFE magazine.

Under the moss-drenched oak trees, the garden courtyard was a dimly lit oasis of conversation as guests wandered in and out sampling food, drink and music.

At the back of the courtyard in a grotto that looked like it belonged in a Mayan pyramid, Other People’s Property, owned and operated by Roquemore, set up a pop-up vintage shop for guests to browse.

Culture Pop! returns to the Maitland Art Center at 7 p.m. Feb. 14. Visit artandhistory.org for more information.

Offerings included dresses similar to those worn by the models, priced at around $30, vintage purses and jewelry that could have come from your (ultra-cool) grandmothers closet and a good selection of stylish vintage coats, perfect for warding off the chill in the air.

Rochelle Womack lives just around the corner from the A&H and came over to browse the vintage clothing for sale.

She ended up taking home a flirty little red dress that will, as she said, be the highlight of her wardrobe.

“I really like what they are doing here,” said Womack. “It’s a perfect combination.”

Mary Helmers brought her husband of 42 years along for date night and she also seemed extremely pleased at the fashion-as-art theme.

“I love vintage clothing and the art center, so I couldn’t resist,” she said. “He loves me, so he couldn’t resist either.”

Jan. 10’s event was indeed a plausible reality with guests from all walks of life gathered in one place for one purpose: to enjoy each other and a little culture.

It didn’t seem to matter whether they were there for the art, the fashion or the music, each patron brought their own perspective to the event and that seems to be what Culture Pop! is all about, exposing the community to something new without any preconceptions.