WMODA is on the move! Exciting plans are underway for a new state of the art museum. Since we have thousands of artworks to pack, we will be closing sooner than anticipated in our current location. Visit us one more time before Saturday, November 19 to see your favorite galleries and latest exhibitions. Shop for the Holidays with WMODA and support artists working in our community. We plan to rise again like a phoenix in our next location so keep following us Through the Looking Glass for regular updates.   Read More Birds of Fire In ancient mythology, birds were believed to mediate between heaven and earth. They are also associated with fire in myths of the world. Different birds symbolized the stages of soul alchemy including the peacock and the mythical phoenix which rises from the flames. Fantasy birds of all types are found in Royal Doulton’s fabulous Sung glazes and Wedgwood’s Fairyland Lustre wares.   Read More Halloween Howl Guests who joined the WMODA team in Halloween costumes received free admission to the museum on Saturday, October 29. They were welcomed by Jesus Reyna portraying René Magritte’s famous surrealist painting The Son of Man.  He mingled in the galleries entertaining costumed characters including a werewolf and a litter of spooky kittens. The Best of Health Hunter Franqui, the host of Channel 10’s SoFlo Health show, is a great fan of WMODA. He first visited the museum during the pandemic in October 2020 and he was so impressed that he returned this October. Hunter interviewed Louise Irvine in the new exhibitions and you can watch the entertaining program on the show's website. Read More Scavenger Hunts Our scavenger hunts make visits to WMODA fun and educational for adults and children alike. There’s lots of fascinating trivia to discover as you explore the museum hunting for safari animals, questing for mermaids or chasing rabbits. The games fire the imagination of all the participants and you might even win a prize in our drawing! Read More Mission of Light Guest artists, leaders and communities unite in a mission for change in partnership with The Ancient Spanish Monastery Foundation during Miami Art Week from November 30 to December 3. This contemporary art exhibition initiated by Laurence Panadero will take visitors on a journey of reflection on humankind and the choices we need to make for the future of our planet. Read More The Great WMODA Pack Up How do you pack thousands of fragile pieces of ceramics and glass? Answer: very slowly and carefully! We have begun to pack our massive collection of fired arts behind the scenes. There are thousands of amazing works of art on display and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This enormous undertaking will take several months to accomplish and you can follow our progress on our website. Read More The Lion & Unicorn will be hosting a weekend event at their Hollywood auction house from December 1-4. Decorative art collectors will be flying into Florida for the occasion to hear talks by experts including Royal Doulton authors, Christopher Evans and Louise Irvine. Enjoy opening cocktails and the auction preview on Friday followed by a live auction of 700 lots on Saturday and Sunday. For more details visit FOLLOW US WMODA mailing address is: WMODA Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts 481 South Federal Highway Dania Beach, Fl 33004 Copyright © 2022 WMODA Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts, All rights reserved.

Artsy Gifts for the Holidays from Artist Lara Lenhoff

Lara Lenhoff is a South African-born artist living in Clearwater, Florida, in fact the colors in her artwork are an homage to her country of birth. Lara began her art career in early 2014 exhibiting work at The Misfit Gallery in the Bishop Arts District of Dallas, Texas. Being embraced by a curator there, Lara was inspired to create an abundance of art. 

‘Locality’

“I’ve painted every day and night since then. Teaching myself how to utilize palette knives, I would spend hours incorporating the style while listening to music. Embarking on a creative journey with this style has led me to where I am today. I have found healing and effective coping strategies through the utilization of creative expression.” She recently became a resident artist with St. Pete ArtWorks Gallery in St. Petersburg, Florida and is also part of the Gulf Coast Artists' Alliance.

Lara Lenhoff, painting live

The artist is a philanthropist as well, fundraising for meaningful events, special projects and organizations. Her company Artsy Monkey provides opportunities to local and emerging artists to exhibit their work. Focusing on the concept of community engagement and being of service to those in need has given Lara tremendous fulfillment.

Lara creates custom artwork and art merchandise, her popular limited-edition soy candles feature art images from the early years of her work. They are excellent quality and can burn for several hours, leaving a lovely scent that will fill the room. Each candle has a unique image on it and they are available in either black or white glass, beautifully boxed and ready to give as a gift or keep for yourself. Visit Lara's online store: http://artsymonkeyllc.com/store/

Artist Lara Lenhoff Beautifully Blends Her Art, Music, Philanthropy & Curatorial Projects

Clearwater-based artist Lara Lenhoff began her art career in early 2014 exhibiting work at The Misfit Gallery in the Bishop Arts District of Dallas, Texas. Being embraced by a curator there, Lara was inspired to create an abundance of art. “I’ve painted every day and night since then. Teaching myself how to utilize palette knives, I would spend hours incorporating the style while listening to music. Embarking on a creative journey with this style has led me to where I am today. I have found healing and effective coping strategies through the utilization of creative expression.”

‘Robot Dog’

The artist is a philanthropist as well, fundraising for meaningful events, special projects and organizations worldwide. Lara has made it a personal mission to give back to her community in every way that she can as an artist. In working with local city officials and Cultural Affairs Departments as a liaison for the arts, Lara is able to curate shows and lend support to artists and photographers who share her vision of giving back to their communities.

‘Locality’

Her company The Artsy Monkey provides opportunities to local and emerging artists to exhibit their work. Focusing on the concept of community engagement and being of service to those in need has given Lara tremendous fulfillment, “Coordinating fundraising events and bringing together other artists to get exposure for their talent is something I highly value,” explained Lara. She is now based in Clearwater, Florida having just recently relocated from Texas with an upcoming exhibition in Saint Petersburg, Tampa area.

Lara Lenhoff, painting live

Painting live is a true passion of Lara’s, she enjoys doing it at events to raise funds for the organizations that she works with. Lara is currently exhibiting at From the Heart Gallery in Galveston, Texas and has work hanging at Art Space in Dallas. Her work is versatile, but she developed a definitive style which can be interpreted as an abstract form of architectural structures. Lara explained that she is inspired by the music she listens to when working on a painting. “I feel the vibrations in the music and transpose my interpretations of the lyrics into visual pieces of art. I’m also a singer-songwriter and have been playing piano since I was 8-years-old.”

‘City Underwater’

“If there’s anything that I’ve learned while focusing on making my career successful, it’s that patience is the most crucial asset to survival. Everything is a progression just like chords on a musical level. Music is the fundamental backbone that inspires what I create visually. Having experience as a singer and songwriter, I appreciate the rhythm, lyrics, and melodies of the music I listen to,” said Lara.

‘Lady Robota with Camera Hands’

For the past two years Lara has produced an event called Music Fuels the Picture, which raises funds for Life Walk, in affiliation with Prism Health of North Texas. At this event, there are several bands that donate their time and perform. Lara paints live at these events and sells raffle tickets for the pieces she creates. All the proceeds go to Life Walk, which provides funding in the community for those who are struggling with HIV and AIDS. The funds provide testing, food, shelter, counseling and other medical care. Last year Lara received an award for employee fundraising in North Texas for Life Walk.

She is also the artist coordinator for Porchfest, which raises funds that go towards the beautification of East Dallas neighborhoods through local bands performing on historic front porches with beer, wine, local artists and food.

‘Phantom on the Bridge’

“It became my goal to represent artists and photographers to further nurture emerging talent in the Dallas area. I produced the art show, Platinum Exhibit, and then introduced, Through the Lens, a photography exhibit consisting of 111 photographs. My goal is to nurture, foster, educate and inspire. These variables focus my beliefs in the talent I represent. I’ve been fortunate to have been mentored by people in the community that understand my vision and passion. I’ve built friendships, partnerships and strong relationships that have established ties within the local community. I’ve raised over $23,000 for various charitable organizations with colleagues and non-profits that include Austin Street, Life Walk and Hearts for the Arts.”

‘Rising Above Chaos’

Lara also has a line of art products and merchandise, her popular limited-edition soy candles feature art images from the early years of her work. They are excellent quality and can burn for several hours, leaving a lovely scent that will fill the room. Each candle has a unique image on it and they are available in either black or white glass, beautifully boxed and ready to give as a gift or keep for yourself.

For more information about this fascinating artist, to learn more about her charitable events and fundraising, as well as curatorial projects, please visit www.artsymonkeyllc.com