Cultural Council of Palm Beach County Presents 15 SURFBOARDS BY 15 SHAPERS Through 1/21

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County hosted more than 525 members and friends to the two opening weekend receptions for the world premiere of a major exhibition by West Palm Beach-based photojournalist and fine art photographer Tony Arruza: 15 Surfboards by 15 Shapers.

Now running through January 21 at the Cultural Council's gallery in Lake Worth, this amazing exhibition is the brainchild of Arruza, who traveled the world in search of professional surfboard-handcrafters (or shapers) to create unique works of art. With each one-of-a-kind surfboard, Arruza inlaid a photograph, that he had taken and printed, to aesthetically enhance the shape of the board.

"This exhibition represents a lifetime of work, passion and travels, all embodied in one project," says Arruza. "It's a way to showcase what I've lived over the past 40 years - surfing, photography and travel. I'm not so much a surfboard artist as I am a surf photographer artist, who uses surfboards as a means to display my art."

Many of the shapers and craftsmen of the 15 colorful, eye-catching and wave-riding surfboards in the exhibition attended the opening reception, including four Floridians: Chris Birch (Pink Hibiscus) and Ricky Carroll (Crystal Lip), both from Rockledge, Ron Heavyside (Mullet Chase) of Boynton Beach, and Sarasota's Juan Rodriguez (Sunrise Lines).

Also on view during this aquatic-themed exhibition are panels from the Surf History Museum in Lake Park that detail the history of surfing as well as its beginnings in Palm Beach County.

The Cultural Council's 15 Surfboards by 15 Shapers exhibition is generously sponsored by The Fanjul Family, Mr. & Mrs. G. F. Merck, Anonymous, SSI Petroleum, Sushi Jo, ALLEY MAASS ROGERS & LINDSAY, P.A., House of Frames, Lipari Ribek Group, McCranels Orthodontics, Nomad Surf Shop, S-One Holdings/LexJet, Terrance Riley Irrigation, Tina Fanjul and Associates Realty, Vissla, Diva-Licious Cake House, Saltwater Brewery andTito's Vodka.

About the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County:

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, serving non-profit organizations, artists and arts districts. The Cultural Council administers $4.5 million in grants annually, supports arts and cultural education, provides capacity-building training, and advocates for arts funding and arts-friendly policies. The Council promotes Palm Beach County's cultural experiences to visitors and residents through multi-platform marketing and public information programs, including its one-of-a-kind Cultural Concierge service.

The Cultural Council presents exhibitions featuring Palm Beach County artists and provides additional programming at its headquarters in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building, an iconic Streamline Moderne former movie theater in Downtown Lake Worth. Also at the Cultural Council headquarters are the Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store featuring products by Palm Beach County artists and the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center, a VISIT FLORIDA designated Florida Certified Tourism Information Center.

The Cultural Council galleries, visitor information center and store are open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For a complete calendar of cultural activities in The Palm Beaches, connect with the Council at www.palmbeachculture.com or (561) 471-2901. To plan a personalized cultural itinerary, connect with the Cultural Concierge atwww.palmbeachculture.com/concierge.

(Photo Credit: Cultural Council of PB)

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