Stetson University Today
"Florida School of Art Exhibition Opens at Hand Art Center"
by Rick de Yampert
The largest gallery at Stetson University’s Hand Art Center was dedicated as the Gary R. Libby Gallery on May 4. Its namesake marked the occasion with one of his passions: paintings from the Florida School of Art.
Libby, a former Stetson trustee and assistant professor in art history, English and the humanities, is curating an exhibition at the gallery now bearing his name. The exhibition, “American Painting and the Florida School of Art – Selections from Private Collections,” contains 40 works dating from approximately 1825 to 1925, including pieces by renowned landscape artist George Inness, Ash Can School realist painter Robert Henri, Highwaymen painter Harold Newton and others.
The Loop
"A voice of experience: UF alumnus and supporter, Gary R. Libby, returned to campus to share career advice and insight in museum administration"
No by line
What does it take to launch a successful career in museum administration? Friday, October 4, museum professional, Gary R. Libby, returned to campus to give students a pretty good idea. Libby, a UF alumnus and supporter of the School of Art + Art History, shared his research, career advice, and insight with museum studies students, faculty, and staff from the College of Fine Arts during a candid round-table discussion.
Gary Libby, chair of the Volusia County ECHO Board of Directors, speaks to the crowd Friday. Next to him is City Commissioner Judy Reiker.
Headline Surfer
"Dozens gather Friday at former NSB High School campus as demolition begins to make way for Mosquito Lagoon Enhancement Center"
by Henry Frederick
~ Excerpt from article ~
With grant money from ECHO, which stands for Environmental, Cultural, Historical and Outdoor Recreation, the Wildlife Foundation of Florida requested $600,000 for its Mosquito Lagoon Marine Enhancement Center on the site of the former New Smyrna Beach High School.
The project's total cost for phase 1 of demolition and renovation of buildings is $1.2 million. The Wildlife Foundation of Florida received matching funds from the city that would help renovate one of the buildings. Funding for Phase 1, totaling $900,000, will come from a variety of sources, including the ECHO grant of $600,000; the Wildlife Foundation, $180,000; the city, $130,000; and $10,000 each from the Marine Discovery Center and the Artist’s Workshop.
The Daytona Beach News Journal
Local historian Gary Libby says Cuban art speaks to island’s personality
by Lacey McLaughlin
While on a Spring Break trip to Daytona Beach in the 1960s art historian Gary Libby stumbled onto a home formerly owned by a Cuban dictator.
Fulgencio Batista had lived in the home on Halifax Avenue on and off during the 1940s and ’50s before it was turned into a museum that housed a collection of artwork he donated to the city. It was there where Libby, a college student at the time, started a life-long fascination with the small Caribbean island and its artists.
Photograph ~ News Journal, David Tucker