Saturday, January 16
10am to 4 pm

Lladró Lights up WMODA

Fort Lauderdale Art & Design Week will be launched on Saturday, January 16 with an entertaining program of fantasy, fashion and fun celebrating the fired arts at WMODA. Watch the lighting ceremony for our spectacular Niagara fairy chandelier, which has been generously donated to WMODA by the Lladró porcelain company in Spain. Listen to original music inspired by the dancing fairies which has been composed by the multi-disciplinary artist, Dave Rosenthal. The chandelier with its cascades of porcelain fairies, illuminated by a waterfall of twinkling lights, has transformed our Fantastique exhibition.

Fashion and the Fired Arts

Mermaids and other wonders of the deep beguile guests in our Mermaid Quest scavenger hunt launched by Rhanu, our mermaid in residence. Rhanu describes herself as a ‘mershark’ and her fabulous tail was inspired by the starry skin patterns of the whale shark, the gentle giant of the tropical oceans.

Glass artist and fashion designer Chelsea Rousso has been studying the skin of the whale shark to create a customized wearable glass bandeau for Rhanu. On January 16, she will talk with Louise Irvine, Director & Curator of WMODA, about her unique work combining fantasy, fashion, the fired arts, and the marine environment.

Fantasy, Art and Science

The importance of shark conservation in Florida will be discussed by Rhanu, who is better known on land as marine biologist Alexandra Barth. She will also highlight the preservation program for Florida’s coral reefs spearheaded by the Ocean Rescue Alliance and the 1000 Mermaids Project. Their next major deployment of the ORA mermaid artificial reef sculptures will be with the city of Dania Beach, which is also home to WMODA.

A Safari for the Soul

A Safari for the Soul, the latest Ardmore exhibition at WMODA, has been extended until January 23 so that more visitors can experience this whimsical ceramic art from South Africa during Fort Lauderdale Art & Design Week. On January 16, Rhanu will tell the story of the Monkey and the Shark, an old African fable which complements the theme of fantasy and fun at WMODA. Mischievous monkeys by the Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio cavort in the exhibition alongside their intrepid shark and whale riders. Some of the Ardmore designs in this show are for sale to benefit WMODA, which is a 501c3 not-for-profit museum.

Read more about our special guests...
Dave Rosenthal
Chelsea Rousso
Rhanu, Alexandra Barth

Watch Chelsea Rousso and Rhanu at The Mermaid Tale event on Halloween
Read about the Lladró Niagara chandelier
Read more about The Monkey and the Shark
Read more about A Safari for the Soul