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Bonnet House Begins its 2012 Lecture Series

By Bonnet House Blog, Classes & Workshops, News No Comments

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens begins its 2012 Lecture Series Monday, January 9th with an evening lecture from 6pm – 7:30pm.  The first of three lectures is “Fort Lauderdale: A Brief History” with author and historian Susan Gillis. The second lecture is scheduled for Monday, February 6th from 10am-11:30am with archaeologist and author Robert Carr on “The History of the Everglades”. The third and final lecture is with poets and authors Rick McKenzie and Roger Reep on Monday, March 5th from 10am-11:30am and is titled “Poems of Animal Consciences”.

The cost is free for members and $5 for non-members.To reserve your seat, please contact Linda Schaller.at 954-703-2606 or [email protected].

"Impressions: A Juried Art Exhibit" set to open Friday, February 10, 2012

By Bonnet House Blog, Events, Exhibitions, News, Uncategorized No Comments

LXR Luxury Resorts and Ryder Systems, Inc. present Bonnet House Museum & Gardens’ 12th Annual Juried Art Exhibit and Fundraiser Friday, February 10, 2012 at 6:00p.m.  “Impressions: A Juried Art Exhibit” is set to open with a private showing for V.I.P. guests starting at 5:30pm.  V.I.P. guests will be treated to champagne and hors d’oeuvres, preview the exhibition, and partake in a rare viewing of the exclusive private living quarters of Evelyn and Frederic Bartlett, Bonnet House’s former owners.  The reception opens to members of the public at 6:00 p.m. Lois Schmatz and Kirk Imhof are co-chairing this year’s Impressions opening and Matt Carone will be this year’s juror.

The juried art exhibit showcases artists from throughout the nation and the artists’ personal interpretations of this country’s architecture, nature, or culture.  All guests and participating artists are invited to cast votes for their favorite artist in the exhibition.  The artist receiving the highest number of votes will receive the People’s Choice Award, awarded that evening.  All of the artwork in the Impressions competition will be available for sale with 50% of the proceeds benefiting Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.  The Impressions exhibition will be on display from February 10 through April 8, 2012 during Bonnet House regular tour hours.

Additional highlights of the evening will include fine food, fine wine and live entertainment throughout the house presented by 360˚ Catering. Invitations for Impressions will be mailed in January. If you would like to add your name to the mailing list or would like to enter your work to be considered, please call (954) 653-1551 or visit us online at https://bonnethouse.org/impressions/

16th Annual Young Artist Music Series Opens January 26 at Bonnet House

By Bonnet House Blog, Events No Comments

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens kicks off its 16th season of the Young Artist Music Series on Thursday, January 26th.  We are delighted to offer the Fort Lauderdale community what we consider to be the “best entertainment deal in town!”  The first concert of the season will feature a performance by music students from the University of Miami’s Frost Opera Theater. Canapés and wine are served prior to the concert from 7:00-7:30 p.m.  The one hour performance begins at 7:30 p.m., and dessert and coffee are served immediately following the performance.

The season continues on February 16th with Florida Atlantic University’s Latin Vocal Ensemble. On March 15th we have performers from Palm Beach Opera, and for our fourth and final performance on April 5th we have Florida Grand Opera’s rising stars.

Individual tickets range from $35 – $45 per performance and series tickets from $120 – $160.  Ticket price includes wine, canapés, dessert, and coffee. Come and enjoy an evening under the stars like no other!

Bonnet House offers a special thanks to the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale graphic design honors class for designing the Music Series posters each year.  Congratulations go to this year’s winner, Gretel Guisado.

What started as community outreach has become one of Bonnet House’s most treasured programs. We are looking forward to this very special 16th anniversary series.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (954) 653-1553 or visit us at www.bonnethouse.org/exhbits&events.

Free Historic Trail Audio Tours Now Available at Bonnet House

By Bonnet House Blog, News, Uncategorized No Comments

Bonnet House Museum & Garden is pleased to announce that it has expanded its programming to include a cell phone audio tour. With service provided by OnCell, the new audio tour enables the public to access additional information about the estate’s Historic Trail through their cell phones. Ten historic stops take visitors from prehistoric times to the 1930s and 40s when Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett spent the winter months creating art and enjoying their winter retreat. A local phone number – 954.233.0785 – leads visitors to a welcome message with options such as instructions, museum information, and information about current happenings. The audio tour may be accessed from any location free of charge, but is best experienced as part of a visit to the estate.

As with many cell phone audio tours, there is a feedback feature that works a lot like leaving a voicemail message. It can be accessed by dialing the general phone number – 954.233.0785 – and then pressing the asterisk key (*), followed by the 0. With this new format, Bonnet House encourages its visitors to try the audio tour and leave your feedback, whether it’s positive or negative! Comments can also be posted on our blog by clicking on the comments link, or on Bonnet House’s Facebook page.

About Bonnet House:
Bonnet House is located one block south of Sunrise Blvd. between Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd., (A1A) and the Intracoastal Waterway at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Bonnet House is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-4pm and Sunday, 11am – 4pm. Admission prices are $20 for individuals, $18 for senior citizens, $16 for children ages 6 – 12 and $10 for the grounds only. Group tours are also available at a discounted price. For more information, call (954) 563-5393 or visit the estate’s website, www.bonnethouse.org.

5th Annual Best of the Artists Series opens this Thursday, June 16 at 6pm.

By Bonnet House Blog, Events, Exhibitions, News No Comments

Nia Nakis – Springtime at Bonnet House 2010 Best of the Artists Winner

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens in collaboration with St. Lawrence Gallery present the 5th Annual Best of the Artists Series featuring works from 20 Bonnet House Fine Artists.  The first of five exhibitions opens this Thursday, June 16 at 6:00pm with a free wine and cheese reception. The five exhibitions will once again feature works of various media including watercolor, oil, acrylic and photography and a percentage of all art sale proceeds will benefit Bonnet House and its programs. The exhibitions are scheduled to run from June 16 through November 3 with the final exhibition featuring the Best of the Artists from the four previous shows. All five exhibitions are free and open to the public and will include raffle, a wine & cheese reception and beautiful art. The receptions for each show will begin at 6:00pm on the first night of each exhibition as well as the closing night of the final exhibition.

The exhibitions schedule is as follows:
First Exhibition: Thursday, June 16 – Wednesday, July 13
Second Exhibition:  Thursday, July 14 – Wednesday, August 10
Third Exhibition: Thursday, August 11 – Wednesday, September 7
Fourth Exhibition: Thursday, September 8 – Wednesday October 5
Fifth Exhibition: Thursday, October 6 – Thursday, November 3. This show will include favorite pieces voted on by all the attendees from the previous four shows.
Best of the Artists Closing Reception: Thursday, November 3 at 6pm. Best of the Artists Series winners will be announced.

St. Lawrence Gallery is located at 3556 N. Ocean Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale two lights north of Oakland Park Blvd. on the east side. For more information, please contact Monica Estevezat (954) 563-5393 ext. 127 or St. Lawrence Gallery at (954) 566-8011 or visit www.bonnethouse.org or www.stlawrencegallery.com.

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Bonnet House Museum & Gardens –900 North Birch Road,Fort Lauderdale
Open for tours Tues.- Sat. from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Sundays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
www.bonnethouse.org

centennial summer savings

By Bonnet House Blog, Events, News No Comments

In honor of Fort Lauderdale’s 100th birthday Bonnet House is offering discounted days this summer. Explore this whimsical estate with murals on the ceilings, faux marble on the walls and floors, and balustrades that are really paintings. Stroll the tropical gardens on 35 acres of a pristine barrirer island where ancient Tequesta indians, early European settlers and shipwrecked sailors once roamed. See one of the finest orchid collections in the continental U.S., and catch a glimpse of playful monkeys, majestic swans, wading birds and an occasional manatee.

Centennial Family Days
Saturday, June 11, July 9 and August 13
10am – 4pm
1/2 price for Adults, Free for children 12 and under

Centennial Discount Days
Wednesday, June 22, July 27 and August 24
10am – 4pm
1/2 price for everyone

centennial family fun day at bonnet house

By Bonnet House Blog, Events, News No Comments

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens will be hosting a special celebration of Florida history on June 11th from 10am – 4pm during Centennial Family Discount Day. The day will be filled with fun activities for the entire family including art, history and nature along with Florida historic characters telling stories of their adventures.

 Families will also have the opportunity to tour the historic house museum filled with a delightful collection of art and personal treasures from the Bartlett family as well as explore the nature trails filled with native plants, trees and an occasional monkey or swan all at a discounted rate.

Discounted price breakdown is as follows:
Individuals – $10
Senior Citizens – $9
Children 12 & under – Free

For more information contact Linda Schaller at (954) 563-5393 ext. 137 or [email protected].

best of the artists series

By Bonnet House Blog, Exhibitions, News No Comments

5th Annual Best of the Artists Series
Opens June 16, 2011 at 6pm

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens in collaboration with St. Lawrence Gallery present the 5th Annual Best of the Artists Series featuring works from 16 Bonnet House Fine Artists.  The first of five exhibitions opens Thursday, June 16 at 6:00pm with a free wine and cheese reception. The five exhibitions will once again feature works of various media including watercolor, oil, acrylic and photography and a percentage of all art sale proceeds will benefit Bonnet House and its programs. The exhibitions are scheduled to run from June 16 through November 3 with the final exhibition featuring the Best of the Artists from the four previous shows. All five exhibitions are free and open to the public and will include raffle, a wine & cheese reception and beautiful art. The receptions for each show will begin at 6:00pm on the first night of each exhibition as well as the closing night of the final exhibition.

 The exhibitions schedule is as follows:

First Exhibition: Thursday, June 16 – Wednesday, July 13

Second Exhibition:  Thursday, July 14 – Wednesday, August 10

Third Exhibition: Thursday, August 11 – Wednesday, September 7

Fourth Exhibition: Thursday, September 8 – Wednesday October 5

Fifth Exhibition: Thursday, October 6 – Thursday, November 3. This show will include favorite pieces voted on by all the attendees from the previous four shows.

Best of the Artists Closing Reception: Thursday, November 3 at 6pm. Best of the Artists Series winners will be announced.

St. Lawrence Gallery is located at 3556 N. Ocean Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale two lights north of Oakland Park Blvd. on the east side. For more information, please contact Monica Estevezat (954) 563-5393 ext. 127 or St. Lawrence Gallery at (954) 566-8011 or visit www.bonnethouse.org or www.stlawrencegallery.com.

4th Annual Orchid Fair right around the corner

By Bonnet House Blog, Events No Comments

The Fourth Annual Bonnet House Orchid Fair will bring a burst of color to the historic Bonnet House Fruit Grove on December 4th and 5th from 10am to 5pm with brilliant blooms in a natural setting! Over 30 local vendors will participate in this unique plant sale featuring a colorful collection of flora as well as plant accessories, garden art and supplies. Lectures and demonstrations by orchid growing experts will be presented as well.

Orchids, or Orchidaceae, are the largest of plant families and grow on six continents. Roughly 95 percent of the world’s orchids are native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions. Bonnet House is the home of over 1,500 plants, many collected by Evelyn Bartlett who moved to preserve her beloved Bonnet House as an historic site and cultural center in 1983. This spectacular collection is still displayed at Bonnet House in orchid houses Mrs. Bartlett had designed.

The Bonnet House Orchid Fair features thousands of blooms throughout the estate’s grounds and offers many innovative displays, interesting talks and tours of the gardens. Beautiful displays donated by the vendors will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. All of the proceeds will benefit Bonnet House and its programs.

The event will take place Saturday and Sunday, December 4th and 5th from 10am to 5pm with talks in the grove at 12pm and 2pm both days. The entry fee is $5 for the fair and grounds and $15 for the fair, grounds and self-guided tour through the historic main house.

The Event Features:
Orchid Supplies – Vendors to provide all you need to plant and grow orchids.
Garden Art – Attractive and unusual orchid and/or garden related items from several vendors.
Lectures – Four educational lectures and how-to demonstrations each day at noon and 2:00pm
Orchid Displays & Silent Auction – Various orchid displays created by the participating vendors will be available for auction.
Food and Wine – Food and wine will be onsite during the entire event.
Self-guided Tours of the House and Grounds – Stroll through the grounds and house at your leisure and experience the charm and beauty of the Bonnet House estate.
Rest Areas – Where you can sit and relax in the shade.
The Bonnet House Gift Shop – Near the main house, offers a unique choice of snacks and bottled juices, Giclee reproductions of selected pieces of the Bartletts’ original art work, as well as a variety of interesting books, jewelry and array of gift items.
Lots of Free Parking – The entrance to the parking lot is on North Birch Road off of Sunrise Boulevard between A1A and the Intracoastal Waterway.

"Impressions of Florida" fundraiser in the works

By Bonnet House Blog, Events No Comments

LXR Luxury Resorts and Bonnet House Museum & Gardens announce the opening date of “Impressions of Florida,” the annual juried art exhibition and fundraiser to benefit the public programs of Bonnet House. The opening date is Friday, February 11, 2011 and the exhibition is set to open with a private showing for V.I.P. guests at 5:00pm. V.I.P. guests will be treated to champagne and hors d’oeuvres, preview the exhibition, and partake in a rare viewing of the exclusive private living quarters of Evelyn and Frederic Bartlett, Bonnet House’s former owners. The reception opens to members of the public at 6:00 p.m. Lois Schmatz, Pat Smith and Dev Motwani are co-chairing this year’s Impressions of Florida opening.

The juried art exhibit, presented by LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels, showcases artists from throughout the state and the artists’ personal interpretations of “Florida.” All guests and participating artists are invited to cast votes for their favorite artist in the exhibition. The artist receiving the highest number of votes will receive the People’s Choice Award, awarded that evening. All of the artwork in the Impressions of Florida competition will be available for sale with 50% of the proceeds benefiting Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. The Impressions of Florida exhibition will be on display from February 11 through April 10, 2011 during Bonnet House regular tour hours.

Additional highlights of the evening will include fine food, fine wine and live entertainment throughout the house presented by 360˚ Catering. Invitations for Impressions of Florida will be mailed in December. If you would like to add your name to the mailing list or would like to enter your work to be considered, please call (954) 563-5393 ext. 163 or click here.

View images of last year’s event by clicking here.