The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art and Palm Harbor Library offer Art, Books and Community (ABC) Reading Club. ABC Reading Club is a bimonthly program held from 10 a.m. to noon, in the Interactive Gallery of the museum. The books discussed focus on modern art and the program is led by Palm Harbor Library Director, Gene Coppola. The cost is free with museum admission and light refreshments are served. For more information contact Education Coordinator, Patti Buster at (727) 712-5226 or buster.patti@spcollege.edu Dates and book selections are: March 19, 2010 – Matisse the Master (vol.2) by Hilary Spurling May 14, 2010 – Sister Brother: Gertrude and Leo Stein by Brenda Wineapple Books are available for purchase in Isabelle’s, the LRMA store, or by interlibrary loan at Palm Harbor Library.

The community is invited to a free family event at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art on Saturday, March 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dean Mitchell Family Day is offered as an enhancement to the special exhibition, Dean Mitchell: Visions with Heart and Soul, on view through May 2, 2010. A variety of events will be offered including: Docent tours of the exhibit at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. “Wet Paint” – watercolor activities for children with water media artist Taylor Ikin from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. “A Salute to Family and Friends” – a sketching activity for all ages from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. “The Artist Speaks” – an interview with Dean Mitchell conducted by Dr. Leslie Hammond, curator of the exhibition, from 2-3 p.m. “The Living Canvas” – a DVD presentation about Dean Mitchell, narrated by Billy Dee Williams, will be ongoing. Live music selections from the SPC Jazz Ensemble from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Refreshments will be available through Jo’s Tropical Freezes and Banquet Masters. In addition, Dean Mitchell books and prints will be available in the museum store and can be signed by the artist.

The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art collaborates with the Palm Harbor Library to provide Art & Story Hour, a family program. Art & Story Hour will be held on Thursday, Mar. 4, 2010 in the in the Interactive Gallery of the museum. This monthly program is held on the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Interactive Gallery. It is open to children of all ages and their families, but designed for children from ages four to eight. The program is free for children and included with museum admission for adults. Families can explore the galleries before or after the event. Art & Story Hour includes an art-related storybook reading led by Palm Harbor Library Assistant Director and Coordinator of Member Services, Lois Eannel, and a hands-on activity led by LRMA education staff and docents. For more information contact Education Coordinator, Patti Buster at (727) 712-5226 or buster.patti@spcollege.edu The March feature book, Against All Odds: Artist Dean Mitchell’s Story by Betty R. James, enriches the special Dean Mitchell: Visions with Heart and Soul exhibition on view through May 2, 2010.

On Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at noon, LRMA Associate Curator & Registrar Rebecca Sexton Larson will discuss the artwork Shovel, 1985 by Mark Stock, a recent acquisition donated to LRMA by Mr. and Mrs. James Hagenbuckle. Artist Mark Stock lives in California and is considered a prominent painter, printmaker and set designer. Stock is an alumnus of St. Petersburg College, class of 1972 and went on to attain a Bachelors of Art in 1976 from the University of South Florida. The On the Easel program introduces a work of art from the permanent collection, recent acquisitions or objects on loan that relate to a current special exhibition. Each short program is presented by a LRMA staff member or an art professional and is followed by an informal question-and-answer session. This program is held at noon and is free with admission.