CRESTVIEW — The world, as interpreted by painter Rita Benz, unfolds on Crestview Public Library’s north exhibition wall, and it’s an enjoyable, interesting look at subjects ranging from fascinating world locations to nature at its most glorious to people in various frames of mind.

The subjects’ diversity makes the exhibit, which will be up until the end of October, particularly intriguing. I found her paintings of individuals especially captivating. Now and then, an artist exhibits works that force the viewer to pause and contemplate. Several of Benz’s people portraits do just that.

What was going on that captured that child’s interest in the flickering candle in “Mesmerized”? What is behind the young man in the T-shirt’s pensive look in “Intensity”?And what’s the story behind the sobering image of a youth in a hoodie in a cold wintery park in a painting called “Lost Soul,” a title that only increases the enigma?

These and Benz’s other people paintings fill the viewer with curiosity, empathy and even compassion, drawing you back after you’ve admired works such as her lively, colorful flowers and the delightful flitting butterflies in “Monarch.”

As an art lover infected with wanderlust, I likewise appreciated Benz’s series of travel paintings from Rome. The simplicity of the artist’s style leaves it up to the viewer to imagine the splash of the “Vatican Fountain” or the burble of the Tiber River as it flows through the Eternal City.

How an artist views his or her world on canvas, or in other media, also offers the viewer a glimpse into the artist’s soul.

Step into Rita Benz’s world — and, perhaps, peer into her soul — at the Crestview Public Library.  

Artist Rita Benz’s exhibit is open during regular library hours.

Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Rita Benz’s paintings on exhibit at library

CRESTVIEW — Since the Crestview Public Library inaugurated its Music at the Library series a couple of years ago — shattering the stereotype of hair-bunned librarians in cat-eye glasses shushing patrons —two particular acts have returned for multiple encores. In addition to guitarist Rick Sanders, the Niceville Noodlers delight library users repeatedly.

The dulcimer players happily pluck and strum the native Appalachian instrument from a semi-circle generally seated near the tutoring rooms in the front of the library. Their leader, Omar Wiseman, sits in the center.

Crestview member Dr. Ned Couey, who also belongs to the Crestview Community Chorders, a local dulcimer group, said that, for many players of the instrument, a major appeal is its simplicity.

“It’s a pretty simple mountain instrument,” Couey said. “We play the mountain dulcimer. It’s a relatively simple string instrument to play. You can get pretty good at it pretty fast. People can even play along with fiddles because you can play that fast.”

The dulcimer originated among Scots and Irish immigrants in the Appalachian Mountains early in the 19th century. It features a graceful curved body and anywhere from two to 12 strings, but averages three to four. The strings are generally plucked or strummed as the instrument is held in the musician’s lap, but some versions can be played with a bow.

“It just has a beautiful sound to it,” Couey said. “I really enjoy it myself.”

The Niceville Noodlers will next perform at the Crestview Library on Sept. 18 from 6-8 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mountain dulcimer group performs during Music at the Library

CRESTVIEW — During Riverside Elementary School orientation, Darien Culler was excited to add a special component to his kindergarten curriculum.

"I signed up for art!" he told his mom, Amy.

Area students are eagerly dabbling in visual and performing arts at each of our schools. Opportunities are as diverse as dance for elementary school kids and digital graphic design for high schoolers.

At Crestview High School, popular art teacher and department chair Laurel Breaux’s resignation has Principal Bob Jones searching for a replacement.

Tonnar Estingoy, the school's other visual arts teacher, has such as full schedule he is unable to accommodate Breaux's classes, Jones said.

New to the area is the Northwood Arts and Science Academy, integrating visual and performing arts with other academic subjects. Students have two weekly fine arts classes and will participate in arts showcases.

"Arts integration is an approach to teaching and learning across content areas in which students experience, demonstrate, and deepen understandings through the arts," the school's website explains.

"Students engage in higher-order thinking, including creative processes, to connect the arts and other subject areas."

Abracadoodle, a for-profit arts instruction program, offers two six-week courses at Antioch, Bob Sikes and Riverside Elementary Schools this year. Tuition is $85 for each course.

"We've had a real good response," the local franchise's Teri McGinnis said. "This is going to be a good, strong year."

Abracadoodle's first series is a self-portrait class called "One in a Million," because "when kids are starting school, it's all about them," McGinnis said.

Community artist volunteers will also continue to offer OVAL Art in some schools, in which students are exposed to classic works of art, and then interpret them in their own style.

North Okaloosa arts programs

Baker School: Instrumental and choral music, high school and middle school: Tony Chiarito

Crestview High School: Instrumental music: Jody Dunn and Charlie Andersen; Choral music: Kevin Lusk; Drama: Annette Gebhardt; Visual arts: Tonnar Estingoy

Laurel Hill School: Digital graphic design, high school: Wanda Cooper

Antioch Elementary: Music: Patti Mitchell; OVAL Art: community volunteers; Abracadoodle Art Education

Bob Sikes Elementary: Music: Gayle Vickers; Abracadoodle Art Education

Davidson Middle: Instrumental music: Chris Treadway; Choral music: Keitha Bledsoe

Northwood Arts and Science Academy: Music: Jeri Downs; Drama: Peggy Pierce; Dance: Jasmin Roser

Riverside Elementary: Music: Betty Avery; Abracadoodle Art Education

Shoal River Middle: Instrumental music: Kim Whaley; Choral music: Steve Box

Walker Elementary: Art: Sarah Harris

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New visual, performing arts coming to Okaloosa schools this year

CRESTVIEW — Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park’s grand opening runs through 5 p.m. today.

Activities include zookeeper talks, animal encounters and children's activities. Food and drinks will be available.

The park, formerly known as the Sasquatch Zoo, features more than 100 animals from around the world.

Regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Last entry time for visitors is 4 p.m.

Want to go?

What: EmeraldCoast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park’s grand opening

When: through 5 p.m.today. Last entry time is 4 p.m.

Where: 5262 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview

Cost: $8, adults; $5, children ages 2-10.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Zoological Park celebrating grand opening today

CRESTVIEW — The curtain on "The Little Mermaid” rises this week at the region’s premiere children’s theatre.

Performances are 7 p.m. through May 11, and include a 2:30 p.m. matinee May 12.

Plunge "Under the Sea" when the Florida Chautauqua Theatre brings the classic story to life in the 2008 Walt Disney stage version of the studio's 1989 animated film.

All the memorable Alan Menken and Howard Ashman Academy Award-winning songs that audiences loved in the film — including "Kiss the Girl," "Under the Sea” and "Part of Your World” — are in the stage musical.

Several more songs were penned for the stage version, which Disney's theatrical branch hoped would be the next "Lion King." While the latter wows Broadway audiences after more than 15 years, "Mermaid" ran less than two years.

This time, director Beth Campbell-Work will populate the former downtown DeFuniak Springs cinema stage with 42 young thespians, some as young as 5 years old.

Many of the student actors will perform "The Little Mermaid" as the culmination of a semester of study in the Music and More theatre workshops program.

Want to go?

The Disney stage musical "The Little Mermaid" runs 7 p.m. through May 11 and 2:30 p.m. May 12 at Florida Chautauqua Theatre, 847 Baldwin Ave., DeFuniak Springs. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 students 22 and under. Contact 892-9494 or email info@fcweb.org for reservations.

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida Chautauqua Theatre presents 'Mermaid' through May 12

CRESTVIEW — The legendary sax player Charlie Parker once famously said, “Don't play the saxophone. Let it play you.” A fledgling group of Crestview’s finest young sax players have gotten together and are putting The Bird’s wisdom to the test.

Calling themselves Sax to the Max, the quartet of Crestview High musicians makes its Music at the Library debut Monday evening at the Crestview Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m.

“This time we’re going to be playing some Christmas songs,” the group’s leader, Nick Overton, said. “A lot of what we have — and I’m still gathering stuff right now— is some popular movie themes, and I have some classical stuff, and a bunch of jazz.”

Composed of Nick and his fellow Crestview High School band saxophonists Vishnu Sriram, Coltin Fortner and Nick Watson, Sax to the Max got together about two years ago.

“I just saw some sax groups performing and I thought it was interesting,” Nick said. “I looked up some videos on YouTube and said, ‘That looks interesting,’ so I got some music and we got together.”

The group has only recently started performing in public. They expect to start appearing this month at the Java Journey Connection coffeehouse on Main Street, and are seeking opportunities to entertain dinner patrons at area restaurants. They’ll also be at the library every second Monday through May 2013.

Meanwhile, three of Sax to the Max’s members recently got selected to appear in the All-County Band. Nick Overton, Vishnu and Coltin will perform with their peers from throughout Okaloosa County (including 24 members of the Big Red Machine) at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College at 7 p.m. on Feb. 1.

“You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice,” Charlie Parker once said. “And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.”

Hear Sax to the Max do some wailin’ of their own Monday evening at the library. The music’s free — but musicians’ tip jars never argue if someone wants to drop a couple bucks in if they like what they hear.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: TONIGHT: Student sax quartet performs at Crestview library