The Hermitage Artist Retreat, Florida Studio Theatre and Alfstad& Contemporary join forces this Friday for a night combining the art of storytelling and live portraiture. Entitled Storied Paintings the night will culminate with the opening of a new exhibition at the gallery.

The show begins in FST’s Keating Theatre, where FST founder and current Hermitage artist-in-residence Jon Spelman will regale the audience with a collection of stories written over the course of his solo career, which launched upon his departure from FST in the 80s.

“It’s in my blood,” said Spelman, who has since performed on NPR, at the Smithsonian Institution and around the world, earning three Emmys and multiple honors. But Friday’s presentation will be a little different, with Spelman joined onstage by fellow Hermitage artist, Felix de la Concha, who will be painting Spelman live, as he speaks.

“It’s the belief in the power of talking directly to an audience,” said Spelman, of his shift from theatrical performance to solo storyteller. “Which is why this thing is going to be pretty hard.”

To facilitate de la Concha’s portraiture, Spelman will not only be forced to remain relatively still, forgoing the usual storytelling flourishes, but will also have to engage the audience indirectly, by going through de la Concha, on whom Spelman will have to direct his attention – and his face – while de la Concha works.

“My job is to sort of ignore the audience in a visual sense, which is new to me,” said Spelman, “like a live TV show.” But while Spelman may be looking at de la Concha, the audience will be keeping a close eye on both via two large monitors, allowing unobstructed views of the storyteller and de la Concha’s portrait in progress.

“It’s been great to watch him work,” Spelman said of de la Concha, whom Spelman indicated was a good match, due to familiar interests. “His painting is interested in extreme detail, and that’s what performance is about. The way to art is through the details.”

Following the performance, the artists will engage in a question and answer session with the audience, before convening - with the portrait – at Alfstad& Contemporary for the opening of de la Concha’s latest exhibit, Hermitage Artist Intrigue, inspired by the architecture and landscape of the Hermitage.

“It’s a friendly, open, relaxed place that provides people serious time to devote to their work,” said Spelman of his time at the Hermitage. “Any practicing artist appreciates the chance to get away.”

As for the founder’s return to FST – “What FST has done in the 35 years since I left is amazing, astonishing. This is a generous tidbit on top of all the great experiences I’m having here.”

Storied Paintings begins 3pm at FST. Reservations are recommended.

This is the first in a two-part series regarding Storied Paintings. Felix de la Concha weighs in tomorrow.