The Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H) continues its popular social event for art lovers, Culture & Cocktails, on Friday, March 8, 2013 from 6 to 9 PM.  This month, artist Gianelle Gelpi is featured in an exhibition that includes a spectrum of her most recent paintings, with large and small brightly-rendered acrylic paintings and a sample of her mother-daughter collaborative works. 

The event is held in the A&H’s Germaine Marvel Building, 210 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland.  Culture & Cocktails is presented by the A&H Associates, volunteer corps of the Art & History Museums – Maitland.  Many thanks to Maitland Tire & Michelin for their sponsorship of the Culture & Cocktails series. 

In addition to the art exhibition, Culture & Cocktails features music by Jayo, sponsored by Performing Arts of Maitland, delicious food truck fare fromAllan's Jerk Shack, popcorn from The Enzian, friendship and fun!  Guests are also invited to view two exhibitions in the A&H’s Main Galleries: James Casey: Equine Sculpture andAnna Tomczak: Animalia.

A Florida native with Hispanic roots, Gelpi is a BFA 2004 graduate from the University of Florida. She was trained in oil with a heavy influence in portraiture. After graduation, Realism seemed a bit too serious for her, so she began experimenting with acrylics, which resulted in a breakthrough of lighthearted imagery that continues to surprise her every day. In recent years, she's been juggling business, motherhood, and painting, something she's getting the hang of and truly enjoying. A few of Gelpi’s most recent pieces were done with Olivia, the new and exciting little girl in her life, who has only added more inspiration. It is a collaborative process between mother and daughter creating together; one is learning colors and basic application, while the other is learning about the sense of wonderment and childlike liberation.

Admission to Culture & Cocktails is FREE to A&H Members, and $5 for not-yet-members. The $5 includes one drink ticket.

Culture & Cocktails takes place on the 2nd Friday of each month through April.  The next event is held on Friday, April 12 and featuresThe Art of Illustration with artist Anna Bond.

For more information on the A&H’s Culture & Cocktails, visit www.ArtandHistory.org or phone 407-539-2181.