Hoise With Art Made of Household Items in Florida
Last Updated on February 17, 2022
We believe in authenticity and love when we discover Authentic Floridians who beat to their own drum.
On our way to the 9th Annual Orange Festival in Dunedin this past weekend, my married man Randy and I decided to make a quick, impromptu pitstop in Condom Harbor to check out "Whimzey", the home of Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda.
We've heard about this firm for YEARS and had never had the chance to come across it in person. Since pictures are worth a m words, we captured photos of this unique, multi-colored, ever-evolving, creative, eclectic gingerbread cottage and studio … by the way, our quick pitstop will somewhen become a big characteristic story on Safety Harbor. In the meantime, here'southward a little sneak peek of what nosotros discovered at Whimzeyland.
Arriving at Whimzeyland in Condom Harbor
When nosotros arrived at 1206 3rd Street N in Safety Harbor, we weren't quite sure what to expect at Whimzeyland in Safety Harbor. This house had been featured in numerous TV shows and magazines but were still unsure what we would notice. We didn't know where we should park or if we were going to get arrested for trespassing. The owners were artists and were on the road this time of the year doing art festivals and shows, so nosotros charily proceeded to explore their whimsical property.
Nosotros parked on the street, although at that place is a mulch area parking area, nosotros weren't sure if that parking surface area was for the owners or unexpected guests, like us.
Fun, large Jester head sculptures and Mardi Gras beads greeted usa as we followed the path into this artists' slice of paradise. Although nosotros were hesitant to but freely roam the surroundings at first, it became very apparent that the homeowners welcomed respectful visitors … even unexpected ones, like united states of america.
Kitschy Decor and Beautiful Gardens
1 of the many charms of Whimzeyland in Rubber Harbor is the hundreds and hundreds of bowling assurance bordering the flowerbeds while vibrant mosaic sidewalks atomic number 82 guests thru the gardens. It's a place where bottle trees and palm trees alive in peace and harmony.
The mosaic tiles reminded us of a cross betwixt the Wizard of Oz and our fabulous trip to Barcelona. The unabridged identify is and then bright and cheery, we just found ourselves smiling as we followed along the path.
A Whimzeyland Giftshop?
To the right of the entrance was a welcoming multi-employ outdoor expanse. I thought it was a gift store (forgetting this was actually someone's home and non a museum), only it's really a covered porch that appears to be used for dining, creating art, enjoying a music jam session, or whatever other need may pop up for the owners.
We roamed around in awe before picking upwards a postcard for the Safety Harbor Fine art and Music Center (SHAMc), which was started past the owners of the business firm and a friend of theirs. SHAMc would have to be a part of another Authentic Florida road trip when we had more time, since we already had a full itinerary for the day and time was ticking.
Nosotros were nervous to peek in the windows since we were not sure if people were staying in the main house or cottage. Overall, we knew we had to come dorsum when the owners were expecting u.s.a., and then nosotros could practice a more thorough story on the whole firm and the people backside it and peradventure fifty-fifty become to run into the inside of the house. (Stay tuned …)
As mentioned, the owners are both artists, who travel frequently to art shows/festivals. Although they were out of town this particular weekend when nosotros decided to pop by, their good friend, Heather Richardson, who nosotros ended up meeting in a kismet way at SHAMc, confirmed that the owners have no problems with people enjoying their property as we did.
The Many Bowling Balls of Whimzeyland
Everywhere we turned, there was something fun to see at Whimzeyland. We especially loved how they used bowling balls as garden separators. Apparently, many of the bowling balls were left past people who knew the owners would put the balls to practiced use. (My mom has a bowling ball garden at her business firm in Wintertime Park. Her friends accept supplied the majority of her bowling balls).
The whole identify is truly a visual banquet. The owners have created such a fine mixture of Florida'south natural landscaping with original art splashed into the setting. So clever and creative! And, so cool, that this community embraces information technology!
Visitors can also become some not bad ideas on how to recycle their everyday household goods and turn them into works of fine art. For example, the colorful bottle gardens are inspirational and easy to create. (Annotation: if you lot look advisedly, y'all may grab some pop culture icons thrown into the mix. For example, we spy a french fry ride from a McDonald-Land playground).
It never ceases to astonish me how adding a bit of colour can make such a huge difference. It feels like the commercial celebrations of Easter, Christmas, and your altogether every day at Whimzeyland in Safety Habor! Do you think anyone could always be in a bad mood around all this happiness and quirk? We call back not!
Then, the side by side time y'all are near Safety Harbor in Pinellas County, plug Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda'southward wonderful home accost into your GPS and encounter Whimzeyland first-mitt. Also, make sure you programme time to visit SHAMc.
Main Street Condom Harbor
Before we headed out to the Orange Festival, we decided to drive down the Master Street of Prophylactic Harbor. We spotted a fire station that had an interesting mural painted on it. On a fluke, I decided to circle the block to go back and take a photo of the station. Lo and behold it was the perfect identify to circumvolve the block. We literally stumbled upon SHAMc … what an amazing place it is!!!
Safety Harbor Art and Music Eye
Prophylactic Harbor Fine art and Music Centre is a 501(c) non-turn a profit organisation whose mission is to promote knowledge of and instruction in fine arts, the visual arts, and the performing arts. All donations are tax-deductible and greatly contribute to the arts in the community.
Safety Harbor Fine art and Music Center (SHAMc) was a lifelong dream for Todd Ramquist, Kiaralinda, and Heather Richardson, who are the Founders. Cheers to a Pepsi Refresh Grant, as well as the support of the community and people around the earth, they were able to start the transformation of the Rigsby House into what is now known as SHAMc.
Since acquiring the property years ago, they have transformed it into their dream middle. It's a place where children and the children-at-heart can gather to gloat art.
Look for an Authentic Floridians vlog coming shortly to our YouTube Aqueduct for more about SHAMc.
Check out another creative Florida home hither: Dwelling house is Where the Art is at the "Starry Night" House in Mount Dora.
Source: https://authenticflorida.com/home-is-where-the-art-is-at-whimzeyland-in-safety-harbor/