THE FREE THEATRE OF BREVARD

JANET RUBIN and THE FREE THEATRE of BREVARD

I am dedicating this newsletter to a very special person, Janet Rubin, who passed away earlier this month. Janet was a tremendously talented author, teacher, and theater director whose light beamed throughout the arts world. Her energy and enthusiasm for the arts will be greatly missed.

I'm not going to go into her history, that can be found in her obituary, but several years ago, she started The Free Theatre of Brevard offering three plays per season. Each had strong messages that needed to be heard.

To honor Janet, February 20 @ 8 PM, February 21 @ 2 & 8 PM, February 22 @ 2 PM the Free Theatre of Brevard will be performing... Down in Mississippi, also based on a true story about voting rights in 1964. All performances are free. See the announcement below...Note: the location is different from the past. It will be at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard, 2185 Meadowland Ave, West Melbourne.

For those of you who would like to go to Janet's "Celebration of Life," it will be on Friday, February 20, at 2 PM at Brownlee Maxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne.

I hope followers of my newsletter will help me celebrate Janet's life by at least attending one of the upcoming performances and continue supporting ALL of our theatre companies that do such a great job in making the written word come to life.

DILLENART SPECIAL NEWS

February brings frigid temperatures to Florida that have not been experienced in a long time. Here's hoping the information in this newsletter brings you warmth, enjoyment, and hope. Have a great month and make a point to include art in your life!

THE STUDIOS OF COCOA BEACH

9 Boats, colored pencil on cradle board mounted and framed in a grid, N. Baur Dillen, 2026

STUDIOS OF COCOA BEACH ART SCENE 2026

February 3 - March 1

February 6, the Studio of Cocoa Beach's juried exhibition opened spotlighting the vibrant creativity of Florida artists. This exhibit marked a significant milestone in the Studios’ ongoing commitment to the local art community because it featured a curated selection of works with emphasis on works that display exceptional composition, technique, and individuality.

The selected artworks in this exhibition were chosen and awarded by a distinguished art professional, Lynn Spencer, professor of Humanities and Art at Eastern Florida State College.
Opening attendance was really good considering the exceptionally cold weather we had. My drawing, 9 Boats, was recognized as one of the top pieces on display receiving 2nd place. Their website gives you a glimpse at the work on display, but even better would be going to the gallery and see the work in person.

Artists Participating in the Exhibition:
Bobbie McMillan, Brett Pigon, Cassandra Myer, Drew Krecicki, Elizabeth Beattie, Frances Rinaldi, Guy LeFebvre, Indira Mendez, John Cielukowski, Julia Doughty, Kathleen Parker, Laurie Griffin, Marie Chivers, Michiel Bullock, Nancy Dillen, Nicole Anderson, Nina DellOrto, Tricia Rutisis, Yuliya Popkova.

Studios of Cocoa Beach . 165 Minutemen Causeway . Cocoa Beach . 321-588-3352

MY CONTINUING EXHIBITS

COURT HOUSE CULTURAL CENTER

VENVI ART GALLERY

Urban Chucks, Oil on Canvas, 24" x 30", N. Baur Dillen

FROM VISIONS to REALITY: 10 Years of Venvi Art Gallery

November 7, 2025 – February 20, 2026

A few more weeks remain to see the Venvi Art Gallery's 10th Anniversary celebration "From Visions to Reality." Over 20 years ago "Urban Chucks, an oil painting from my "Woodchuck" Series, was created. Inspired by the proposed development of a new city located in an old "cow pasture" west of I-95, that plot of land became the city of Viera. The chucks are thinking... "Where did all the pasture land and cows go? We came down with the snowbirds to escape the cold. Maybe one of you would like to give us a new home?" If so, the folks at the Venvi Art Gallery would be happy to make that happen!

🎨 Venvi Art Gallery . 2901 E Park Ave, Suite 2800 . Tallahassee, FL 32301 . 850-322-0965

ART EXPRESSIONS

Olive Groves on Road to Toledo, oil on canvas, 20 x 20, N. Baur Dillen

Recently, I changed my oil paintings on display at Art Expressions Custom Framing in the Old Eau Gallie section of Melbourne. One is from my “Memory Landscapes” series and the other is from my “Barriers” series. They are both for sale as is everything on my website that is not marked…sold! All of my work can be viewed on my website.

Art Expressions . 1405 HIghland Ave. . Melbourne, FL 32935 . 321-259-1492

EAU GALLIE PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS

FEBRUARY ADULT PROGRAMS
Tuesday Book Club
Join us each month to share your thoughts on selected books. This month we will be reading Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews.
  • February 10: 2PM – 3PM
Diamond Painting
Decorate with tiny rhinestones on pre-printed cards to make shimmering fun art. Ages 12+
  • Tuesdays: 11:30AM – 12PM
Cine-Talk
Do you like movies? Want to talk about them? Join our newest monthly program for movie lovers. This month we will be discussing the 1987 film The Princess Bride, rated PG. (Not a film screening.) Ages 18 & +
  • February 18: 5:15 - 6:15 PM
Note: Special accommodations to participate due to a disability, please contact the library at least seven days prior to the event. (321) 255-4304

EAU GALLIE ARTS DISTRICT

🎨 MURAL TOURS RETURN
Our EGAD Mural Tours will take place on Saturday, February 21, but you must sign up! Explore the stories behind Eau Gallie’s vibrant public art. If that date does not work for you, sign up for a future tour on the third Saturday of each month. Tours start at 10:15 AM at the Eau Gallie Library. A perfect way to see the district in full color!

EAU GALLIE ARTS DISTRICT

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
February EGAD Events!

🎉 FIRST FRIDAYS
Join us Friday, March 6 5:30-9:30PM as we celebrate with new exhibits at each of the art galleries. Artists will showcase their unique artwork and fine-art crafts!

EAU GALLIE ARTS DISTRICT ARTS GALLERIES

FIFTH AVENUE ART GALLERY

1470 Highland Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32935

DEREK GORES GALLERY EVENTS

587 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. Ste 101 Melbourne FL 32935

OUTSIDE EAU GALLIE

EAU GALLIE ARTS DISTRICT ARTS GALLERIES

Supporting Family Promise of Brevard through The Big Brunch

I’m thrilled to highlight Family Promise of Brevard, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping families facing housing instability find lasting independence. They’ll host their annual fundraiser, The Big Brunch, on Saturday, February 28 from 12–3 PM—a joyful outdoor event that brings our community together to keep families housed so children can thrive.

This year’s event features a Birdhouse Auction that’s especially close to my heart as an artist. The idea behind it is that “home is where the heART is.” Each artist received a handcrafted birdhouse, built by local high school students, and was invited to design and decorate it as a personal reflection of what home means to them. It has been incredibly inspiring to see everyone’s unique interpretations brought to life through color, texture, and imagination.

I was honored to sponsor several of these birdhouses and to gather my artistic friends and community members to join me. Together, we poured our creativity into each piece, celebrating the beauty of home, belonging, and hope.

If you’d like to support Family Promise’s mission, consider purchasing a Wesche Jewelers Raffle ticket. Only 100 tickets are available at $100 each, and you do not have to be present to win. The winning ticket includes a $5,000 private shopping spree at Wesche Jewelers, complete with cocktails, catering, and an exclusive shopping experience—all while helping raise $10,000 to keep families in safe, stable housing. It’s an opportunity to experience luxury with purpose and make a meaningful difference for families right here in Brevard—a true reflection of what it means when home and heart come together.

Wesche Jewelers Raffle Promo Posts.png Brunch Flyer (2).pdf

MELBOURNE CHAMBER MUSIC

PRESENTS:

THE LEONKORO STRING QUARTET, Friday, March 6: 7:30PM

It has been said that The Leonkoro Quartet possesses an extraordinary stage presence, glows for the music, embraces full artistic risk, and astounds through their profound sensitivity towards the unique sonority of each piece.

The four musicians already celebrated many triumphant debuts in major international concert series and festivals last season. More will follow this season, including at the Salzburg Festival, the Philharmonie Luxembourg, the Liederhalle Stuttgart, the Tonhalle Zurich, the Bozar Brussels and the Konzerthaus Dortmund. In addition, the quartet will tour North America for the first time with concerts in New York City, NY, Boston, MA, Montreal, QC, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, just to name a few.
Visit the Official Website: The Leonkoro String Quartet

Location: St. Mark's United Methodist Church, A1A Indialantic
Tickets: $40 adult; $10 student.
For more information about these performances and to purchase tickets, click here.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
Want to help create a multi-disciplinary and experiential arts center for the Space Coast within the next five years? The fund was officially announced at the Community Foundations 40th Anniversary event on December 7, 2021. With the loss of the Foosaner Art Museum and Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts, there is an opportunity to create something new for all. We invite you to imagine with us and expand the arts on the Space Coast. Contact the CFB at (321) 752-5505, or visit the Exploration Arts! Fund to make a donation of any amount!


The Arts Are a Necessity, Not a Frill!


Use this time to
"Dream, Imagine, Inspire, and Create!"

Best wishes for good health and creativity.

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