« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Jul 17, 2015

Friday Weekend Edition

Please allow images to view this email properly

Friday Weekend Edition

"To be able to put your hands to a work of art and see it come to life again is an incredible feeling. It's lifting the veil to see what the artist intended."

- Kay Zahn, Conservator
 

[Community]  Sarasota Conservators Go International
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Situated along the central highlands of Guatemala, the city of Antigua draws art and architecture enthusiasts from around the globe, wanderers flocking to the ruins of colonial age churches, Old Spanish architecture and, of course, the paintings held within. But time takes its toll on all things and great art is no exception, as Kay Zahn, a social worker with the Sarasota County school system, discovered on her trip in 2012. “I couldn’t believe how beautiful the paintings were and what condition they were in,” said Zahn, finding some paintings indiscernible from their wood panel surroundings because of accumulated grime. “Some of them you couldn’t even tell were paintings.”

But Zahn was no hapless observer. Trained and educated in art conservation, including work with the Canadian Conservation Institute and 20 years in private practice with former Ringling Museum head conservator Ted Nightwine, Zahn found herself in a position to help. “I loved Antigua so much—the community and the whole environment,” said Zahn. “I thought, ‘This is something I can do, a gift I can give.’ ”

Zahn heads back to Antigua on Sunday, the third trip in a series dedicated to restoring seven Spanish Colonial paintings inset upon the 30-foot tall Retablo – altarpiece – of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the main chapel of El Templo de San Francisco el Grande. On previous trips, Zahn and her team restored the two larger paintings on the ground level; this trip they plan to tackle two more, clambering over scaffolding to reach the next tier. Ideally, the paintings would be removed from their frames and brought to a lab for conservation, but, absent that possibility, Zahn settles for a gentle but thorough surface cleaning, with the team poring over each painting inch by square inch with cotton swabs. “We’re pretty familiar with how the paintings will clean now,” said Zahn, who estimates the team is “probably cleaning off 100 years of dirt and dust and grime and soot.”

“It’s basically a labor of love,” said Zahn. And the community has responded. Whether it be her right-hand woman Fayanne Hayes, who in addition to assisting in the restoration handles organizational and logistical difficulties that would otherwise consume an international project of this nature, or Reverend Celestino Gutierrez from St. Jude Catholic Church, who helped Zahn obtain the necessary blessing from the Archduke of the Catholic Church in Guatemala in order to proceed, Zahn maintains that the restoration has been a team effort from the beginning. An "international initiative," conservators from across the world have joined the effort, including Therese Charbonneau from Canada and Marion Mertens from New Zealand.

Returning on July 26 with two more paintings scheduled to be completed, Zahn looks forward to finishing the project next summer, restoring the three smaller paintings on the top level of the altarpiece. It’s a finish line four years in reaching, but for Zahn, it was always worth it. “To be able to put your hands to a work of art and see it come to life again is an incredible feeling,” said Zahn. “It’s lifting the veil to see what the artist intended.” 

Pictured: Kay Zahn and Therese Charbonneau at work in the summer of 2014. Photo courtesy of: Fayanne Hayes.

[Daily Shop]  Cheese Charm
,

Evening cocktails aren’t complete without a tray of dips and spreads, and now you can present them in style. Mercantile Home and Apparel has a collection of tabletop treasures that will add appeal to your appetizer display. These small spread knives and cheese forks pair perfectly with natural stone trays. The setup is stylish for indoor or outdoor hors d’oeuvres. 

Mercantile Home and Apparel, 1463 Main St, Sarasota, 941-366-2457

[From The Chef]  Fit For A Manatee
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

If there is one thing Snooty can tell you about fine dining, it’s to always eat your greens. Chef Jamil from Michael’s on East served up a special in honor of the South Florida Museum manatee at Snooty’s birthday bash this weekend and the dish was recognized in turn with the “Fancy and Fun” award. Made from ingredients in Snooty’s regular diet, Jamil has since shared the recipe for those looking to make a splash in their own kitchens. 

Snooty’s Summer Salad

Ingredients (for salad): 1 cup walnuts, chopped; 1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved and thinly sliced; 1 pound baby kale, remove thick center rib, leaves thinly sliced; 1 cup coarsely grated or chopped Parmigiano Reggiano; 1 cup roasted yellow beets, diced; 1 green apple, thinly sliced; 1 cup carrots, shredded.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, reserving ½ of the cheese to garnish as the dish is plated.

Ingredients (for dressing): 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, from about 2 lemons; 1/4 cup orange juice; 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots, from one large shallot; 1 small clove garlic, minced; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Mix all ingredients together and bake pumpkin seeds for 3-5 minutes, until toasted and fragrant. (Be cautious not to let them burn!) Set aside until ready to plate the dish.

Ingredients (for pumpkin seeds): 2 Tbsp pumpkin seeds; 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil; Pinch of cayenne pepper; Pinch of chili pepper; Pinch of blackened seasoning (Chef Jamil recommends Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Magic seasoning).

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Mix all ingredients together and bake pumpkin seeds for 3-5 minutes, until toasted and fragrant. (Be cautious not to let them burn!) Set aside until ready to plate the dish. 

Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss well. Portion salad into salad bowls or plates to serve. Garnish with reserved cheese and roasted pumpkin seeds. 

[Recognition]  Thomson Group Announces Clients
,

Two national companies have hired The Thomson Group to help with publicity, marketing and content creation. Taiwan Semiconductor with North American operations in Pomona, California, has chosen The Thomson Group to handle public relations for its North American operations. Vero Beach-based HarborChase has selected The Thomson Group to handle its digital marketing, publicity and media releases for the launch of a new community at Honore Avenue and Proctor Road in Sarasota. 

The Thomson Group

[Road Watch]  Roundabout Work Begins July 22
,

The Orange Avenue and Main Street intersection will be temporarily closed beginning Wednesday as construction gets underway to build a roundabout at the intersection and relocate utility lines. The intersection will be closed through September. Limited traffic will be allowed through the construction area from approximately September 30 to early November, when the project is scheduled to be completed. 

Roundabout Project

[Exec Moves ]  Montgomery Named Supervisor of Athletics
,

Pending approval by the Manatee County School Board, Manatee High Athletic Director Jason Montgomery has been named the School District of Manatee County’s Supervisor of Athletics and Physical Education. In his new position, Montgomery will provide oversight and support for high school and middle school athletic and physical education programs across the district. He will also coordinate the Driver’s Education programs. 

Manatee Schools

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024