The new year may be barely getting started but the arts and cultural community is already gearing up for a fantastic first few months of 2025.

“One of the best parts about my job is highlighting the vast arts and cultural experiences that Polk offers,” said Daryl Ward, executive director of the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance. “And the first three months of the new year are packed with fantastic events.”  

Three local theaters each have musical productions slated for January. Theatre Winter Haven is producing “Anastasia,” while Lakeland Community Theatre is performing “The Light in the Piazza.” In February, Haines City Theatre is putting on the Broadway hit, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

The year’s early musical offerings are also robust. Acclaimed singer, Renee Fleming makes a return appearance to Polk County with her concert at Branscomb Auditorium on Jan. 8. Fleming’s performance is a part of Florida Southern College’s Festival of Fine Art Series, which also features concerts highlighting the music of Herbie Hancock and a celebration of Black jazz composers slated for Feb.

And speaking of jazz, the Swan City Jazz Festival returns on Saturday, March 29. And making up for a missed performance due to last year’s hurricanes, the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra has rescheduled Fire and Water for Feb. 8.

Polk’s east side is continuing a fine tradition of musical experiences. On Feb. 7, Ricky Skaggs returns to Bok Tower Gardens for a Refuge on the Ridge fundraiser concert, while the Lake Wales Arts Council presents the Lake Wales Jazz Connection and their tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong on Jan. 11.

Polk’s visual art scene is geared up for the new year as well. In addition to exhibits by Ridge Art Association, the Bartow Art Guild, the Lake Wales Arts Council, and the Lakeland Arts Association, Polk’s renowned art festivals are just around the corner.

Kicking things off will be the  Lake Wales Arts Festival set for Feb. 22-23. This year marks the 54^th year of the festival situated along the banks of Lake Wailes in Lake Wales. Next up is the 8^th annual Winter Art Show hosted by Florida Wildflower Studios in Frostproof with the awards reception set for Feb. 28.

Early March brings springtime art festivals, starting with the Bloomin’ Arts Festival in Bartow – this year’s festival is slated for March 1-2. This event is also celebrating its 54^th year here in Polk County. The following weekend (March 8) is highlighted by the Central Park Art Festival in downtown Winter Haven.

These are only a few of the arts and cultural opportunities set for the first few months of 2025. You can find complete listings on polkarts.org and other online calendars.

Reflecting on 2024

Ward painted 2024 as a year of challenges and triumphs. “There were definitely some rough times,” Ward said. “The loss of funding for the cultural arts grants that is typically provided by the state of Florida was especially troubling.” However, he noted, even those difficult days were peppered with rays of hope. “We saw local philanthropists step up and offer financial assistance,” Ward added. “It once again affirms how much our community supports the arts.”

Things weren’t all bad in 2024. Ward pointed out that significant achievements were also made last year. Perhaps the most surprising was the gracious financial gift which led to the renaming of the Polk Museum of Art – now the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art at Florida Southern College. Alex Rich, the museum’s executive director, said that “it is the biggest moment in our history since the founding of this museum and to tie that in with our expansion ahead is very exciting.”

Local artists also had quite a noteworthy year. Marcia Morse Mullins, a local fiber artist, had her work selected for a prestigious international art exhibit. To celebrate, she was able to travel to Venice, Italy, to participate in the festival. Not to be outdone, a local photographer also received recognition in an international competition. Andy Glogower’s photograph, “Huey Dewey and Louie,” was one of 23 winners selected for the 13th annual Florida Museum of Photographic Arts International Photography Competition. His piece hung at the Tampa International Airport from June through August of last year. In fact, local artists had quite a year of recognition outside of Polk County. Mullins, Glogower, and local photographe Scott Audette each were featured on Tampa-area television programs.

Other highlights of 2024 include the induction of five new members to the Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame, a much-needed renovation project at the Polk history center, and a new art gallery opening in Winter Haven that hosted a brand new art exhibit. “I was especially excited by our first-ever Best of Polk Art show,” Ward said. “We were fortunate to partner with Ridge Art Association and Tree Swallow Gallery to showcase some of Polk’s amazing artists,” he added. Though the show has concluded, the online gallery is here.