LAKE WALES, Fla. — The Lake Wales Arts Council invites the community to attend the opening reception for Thrown Together: Celebrating America in Form on Thursday, July 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Wales Arts Council Gallery, located at 1099 Highway 60 East, Lake Wales, Florida 33853.
Made possible through a Freedom 250 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Thrown Together is a unique community ceramics exhibition inspired by the national motto E Pluribus Unum—“Out of many, one.” The exhibition showcases both collaborative ceramic artwork and individual pieces created by local participants during eight weeks of free ceramics classes offered through the program.
The grant also enabled the Lake Wales Arts Council to install an ADA-accessible pottery wheel, expanding access to ceramics programming for individuals of all abilities. This addition ensures that more community members have the opportunity to experience the art of throwing clay, explore their creativity, and participate in hands-on artistic expression through pottery.
As part of the initiative, the Lake Wales Arts Council partnered with the Lake Wales Care Center and Waters Edge Memory Care to provide workshops designed to bring the ceramics experience to individuals who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to participate. These outreach programs helped make the project more inclusive, allowing participants of diverse ages, abilities, and backgrounds to discover the joy of working with clay and creating art in a welcoming environment.
Together, these efforts reflect the spirit of E Pluribus Unum, demonstrating how art can unite a community through shared experiences, creativity, and connection.
“Thrown Together demonstrates how art can bring people together to create something meaningful,” said Tommy Frank, Executive Director of the Lake Wales Arts Council. “This exhibition celebrates not only the finished works but also the relationships, learning experiences, and shared stories that emerged throughout the program.”
Guests attending the opening reception will have the opportunity to meet participating artists, view the exhibition, enjoy an American picnic-style hot dog bar and learn more about the community-centered project that brought the collection to life.
Admission to the reception is free and open to the public.
For more information about the exhibition or the Lake Wales Arts Council, visit the Arts Council’s website https://www.lakewalesartscouncil.org/ or contact the gallery at (863) 676-8426.
About the Lake Wales Arts Council
The Lake Wales Arts Council fosters community through all forms of art by providing exhibitions, educational programs, performances, and cultural experiences that inspire creativity and enrich the quality of life throughout Central Florida
